Emma

Title: Pride and Prejudice with Songs from Regency EnglandAuthor: Jane AustenRead by: Alison LarkinPublisher: British Classic AudioLength: Approximately 13 hours and 29 minutesSource: Review Copy from author Alison Larkin - Thank-you!A perfect book for the Valentine’s Day holiday this month, Pride and Prejudice is one of the most romantic novels that have ever been written. What a delight it has been to listen to the audiobook version of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen wonderfully narrated by Alison Larkin. It made my daily commute much more enjoyable. Alison Larkin has a perfect voice for narration and had unique “voices” for the individual characters. As I’ve said in other reviews of audiobooks of Austen’s novels, I feel they translate particularly well to the audiobook format as Austen would read them herself to her family and I feel they were written to be read aloud. I enjoyed the piano music between each chapter.My favorite part of this audiobook version was actually the regency songs at the end. Alison Larkin sang four regency era songs and had them in a scene where Mr. Darcy and others are listening to the singing. It was magnificent and humorous at the same time. I could listen to an entire CD of Alison Larkin singing regency era songs. They were beautiful.Why is Pride and Prejudice such a romantic novel? I think it is because of the unique relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. They don’t both meet, fall in love, and ride off into the sunset together. Mr. Darcy insults Elizabeth’s looks and his snobby behavior infuriates her. She is afterwards willing and able to believe the worst of him including any and all malicious rumors. As Darcy gets to know Elizabeth better, her sense of humor, and no nonsense observations on life attract him. She is unlike any other woman he has known, she is not afraid to tell him exactly what she thinks. Which is what she does when he proposes and she refuses. Things seem at an end until Elizabeth visits Pemberley with her Aunt and Uncle. She meets Darcy again and he has changed the way he treats everyone. Elizabeth also sees how he treats the staff and his sister and is impressed by his goodness. I believe it is because Elizabeth and Darcy have to work through their first misunderstandings to find true love that makes this such a romantic novel? What do you think? I also think watching Colin Firth as Darcy in a wet shirt in the 1995 mini-series helps to make this a romantic classic.I was struck again while listening to this audiobook on how financial stability is one of the driving forces of the novel. Who has what living or money is the talk of everyone in the novel With Longbourn entailed away to Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet has a real concern that if Mr. Bennet dies, she and her daughters will have no way to support themselves. I like when in the novel, Mr. Bennet reflects on how the only money they will have is what Mrs. Bennet brought to the marriage and that he probably should have been saving money all along. He then shrugs it off and thinks it’s too late now. That is why my British novel instructor in college said that Mr. Bennet is the real villain and Mrs. Bennet is the real heroine when you look beyond the comedy of the novel. Elizabeth Bennet holds out for love, but her friend Charlotte is more practical and marries Mr. Collins knowing that their marriage will provide a secure future for herself.Pride and Prejudice is full of some of my favorite quotes of all time. Listening to this audiobook was like listening to an old friend tell my favorite story. Here are just a random sampling of some of my favorite quotes:“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.”“They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects.”“How little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue.”Overall, Pride and Prejudice with Songs from Regency England by Jane Austen and read by Alison Larkin is a beautiful version of one of my favorite books. Alison Larkin is a wonderful narrator and I love the unique rendition of the regency songs at the end of this audiobook. It’s a perfect audiobook to listen to, especially when you want to relax and escape from the daily grind or daily news.

What a fun story. The characters were delightful, the dialogue witty, and the plot compelling. It is my favorite Jane Austin book.

3.5 stars- I didn’t like how discreet this book was but that is just personal taste and contrary to the notions of society at the time.

I have always loved "Sense and Sensibility" and wanted to expand into more of Austen's works. This one did not disappoint! It is a fantastic tale with all the usual Austen humor and wittiness that work so well in her stories! In fact, it is now up there with "Sense" as my favorite Austen work!"Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her."The first sentence in the novel really sets the stage for all the mistakes the main character makes throughout! This novel tells the story of Emma Woodhouse, a privileged young lady who, with nothing else to occupy her time, loves matchmaking among her friends. She loves it so much that she doesn't pay any attention to her true love right under her nose! Of course things don't go the way Emma would like and there are the usual misunderstandings but things work out in the end and everyone ends up with who they are destined to be with.This had been called one of Austen's best works and I can agree with that. I really loved this story. This certainly is the "lightest" of Austen's novels as you will not find any lives ruined or huge scandals that ruin reputations. It is simply (and wonderfully so) the story of a small, English village where the inhabitants really have nothing substantial to occupy their time; none more so than Emma. I think one of the things Austen is so marvelous at is her ability to really focus on her characters and their everyday lives and none of her novels do this as well as Emma. As there is no serious "action" the story must therefore focus on everyday occurrences. You could call this a comedy of manners as the characters revolve within a very strict code of behavior and etiquette where everything should move along very smoothly but of course, because of meddling (mainly Emma's) things always go completely wrong! The novel is full of the usual, heavy Austen dialogue and description which I'm sure can get tedious for some readers (I did find myself skimming over some of Miss. Bates' extended ramblings) but, as in her other novels, it does not get in the way and can really help the reader come to terms with a time very foreign from our own. Many modern readers find the "elitist" attitudes in Austen's books a turn off and condemn the novels. However, Austen is not intending to make these attitudes seem wonderful; if some readers would look closer they would realize that she is really satirizing these attitudes and showing them for the silliness they really were. The main character, Emma, can be a bit annoying at times, but she is so open about her own faults and weaknesses that its hard to dislike her. In fact, you do see her acknowledging in several places her mistakes and is able to laugh them off and learn from them. Austen herself said that Emma was a character that nobody would really like but herself; I disagree.Yes, she can come across as snobbish, arrogant, and overly conscious of her place in society but what can you expect from a girl who has been raised by a doting father and governess? Mixed with those slightly irritating qualities, though, is a sweetness and a true desire to be helpful which really makes her endearing. I highly doubt Emma's personality is that much different from other young ladies of the time. I think the true shining star in this novel, though, is Mr. Knightley, Emma's close friend and true English gentleman (supposedly this was Austen's favorite hero as well and created her ideal gentleman in him; his name is no accident). He is kind and thoughtful, witty and intelligent, but blunt and always ready to bring Emma back down to Earth. Their bantering back and forth is really charming. I only wish we knew more about Mr. Knightley's background and that we could see more of him in the novel! The rest of the characters in the novel are all brilliantly drawn and even though they are not the focus of the story, you come to know them as well as the two mains: the eccentric and hypochondriac Mr. Woodhouse, sweet and naive Harriet Smith, the kind Westons, slightly foppish Frank Churchill and the very reserved Jane Fairfax, the kindly Miss. and Mrs. Bates, and the exceedingly arrogant Eltons.This is a wonderful and delightful story and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is a light and charming story about a slightly flawed but kind young lady (and who among us is not flawed?) who, through a series of blunders, grows and matures. It is also a humorous story poking fun at the strict code of behavior and the social classes of the day.

Since ive just started school, ill only be reading this book in my free time when I feel like it, so I haven't read it yet. just the first few sentences. book quality is very good, very slick, and im excited to read this book because I loveeee the movie so much.

Before I say anything I should ‘fess up to being a 65 year old male and therefore probably not the target audience for this book!! I found the style very dated ( not really a criticism as it was written in the early 1800s ) and concentrated on the privileged classes and their visits and affairs. I am afraid I got bored and couldn’t relate to the characters so I didn’t finish the book which is rare and something I don’t like to do. Before you think I am just a jaded old man my younger sister also felt the same and gave up on it too.

This for me is one of those books akin to putting on an old cosy pullover, simply because I find myself transported straight into Highbury and its characters. Although this wasn’t the last of Austen’s novels to be published, it was the last in her lifetime.Set in and around the fictional village of Highbury, Surrey so we also take in the bigger houses and estates in the area. At one of the larger houses lives Emma with her father, her sister being already married. Jane Austen before she started writing this had already said that she was going to create a character that people would probably not like, but in fact Emma has been liked, and still is, as we see her develop in this tale.Thinking herself a matchmaker so we see Emma going about trying to find a suitable suitor for Harriet, although she has one, which so Emma believes is beneath her. And with her dabbling and outspoken manner so we see the consequences of her actions, not even realising when others are in thrall to her charms.With some unforgettable characters, such as the fussy, dithering and rather old maidenish Mr Woodhouse, we also have the non-stop talking Miss Bates, who makes a great comic character, as well as others. With Highbury also appearing here quite a bit, so the place really comes to life, instead of being just a backdrop, showing Austen was on top form and creating something with a bit more realism and substance.Full of wit and insight into the characters this has some great sparkling dialogue and is a joy to read. A comedy of manners, as well as what we nowadays term a romantic comedy, this also takes in the place of women at the period and social status. There is lots of incident here with its dances and other events, as well as a lot of eating – so probably not the best book to read if you are on a diet.With so many adaptations most people have already seen this, if not read it before, but it certainly pays to read this and come back to it, as it is something that is just so enjoyable.

Emma by Jane AustenI loved this book but then I am an old romantic.Emma is a young woman who likes to think of herself as a matchmaker, however it turns out that she is not that particularly good at it. Emma herself is not interested in marriage instead she is totally dedicated to the well being of her father.There are funny moments as embarrassing blunders occur and each character tries their upmost to be socially agreeable. Blunders! I love that word. There is a lot of visiting each other's homes and a lovely ball. The characters are hilarious, such as Mrs Elton who is full of her own importance. It's very romantic and I loved that.Overall I would recommend this charming story to a historical fiction reader. I preferred Emma to Pride and Prejudice but really loved them both.I have read two Jane Austen Novels now and love her writing. I shall definitely read more. Jane was an English writer who lived from 1775 to 1817. She published Emma in 1816.

I Love these Jane Austin clothbound books this one will be added to my collection.I only gave 3 stars as I am very disappointed with the addition of a sticky label on the back with the bar code and price on. I understand you need to have these bar codes on books, but sticking it to the back of a beautifully bound book has ruined it. I took the label off and now have a sticky patch and it’s pulled some of the design off.Abit of a let down on what it’s a Beautiful book.

What's going on? Is everyone too scared to say it's boring just because it's a 'classic'?First of all, the entire first bit is just a dull conversation between family members (which would be boring in your own home). It starts to get more interesting when Emma befriends this other girl, but instead of giving her a makeover (like in Clueless) they just wander around together. Then, when Emma tries to set her up with a man it still remains just as boring! i didn't finish the last few chapters (maybe it gets more interesting?) but i found this book very dull. All the films of it, particularly Clueless, build up a false expectation for a good book. What a wasted opportunity!