A Sense of Pride: How to do Justice to Jane Austen

Sometimes, the number of Jane Austen television and film adaptations seems mind-boggling. Why make another? Why do we watch them?

The answer to the first question is that directors hope their interpretation and delivery of a famous story will please Austen fans and become a cultural reference point for many years. After all, who can forget Colin Firth as Darcy in his wet shirt? Or Emma Thompson as the sensible Elinor? But if the production upsets fans (for example by including an on-screen kiss!), it will be forgotten or remembered only as an example of how not to do it.

The answer to the second question is that viewers who know Austen by heart are hoping for a faithful and enjoyable production. Or, if they are new to Austen, a magical experience to draw them into her romantic world. But neither type of viewer wants something that isn’t true to Austen’s spirit.

Then there are audiobooks. You may not see the actors in this medium, but they are still there. And they are acting, not just reading – which makes a huge difference. Both the actor(s) and producer work hard to bring a title to your ear, to give you an audio recording that is bursting with life and filled with unforgettable characters. They want to do justice to your favourite story.

We started by recording Jane Austen abridged. But we learned that real Jane Austen fans want every word! So we now have all the novels in unabridged form as well: they have gained high critical praise and attracted a loyal following. So whether you want to delve deeper into Austen’s world, or just experience her stories anew, these are the audiobooks for you.

This is why Naxos AudioBooks is now releasing Jane Austen – The Complete Novels. All the novels (unabridged!) read by Juliet Stevenson, Emilia Fox and Anna Bentinck and others, are compiled into this beautiful collector’s edition. The following stories are included:

Sense and Sensibility (11 CDs), read by Juliet Stevenson
Pride and Prejudice (11 CDs), read by Emilia Fox
Mansfield Park (14 CDs), read by Juliet Stevenson
Emma (13 CDs), read by Juliet Stevenson
Northanger Abbey (7 CDs), read by Juliet Stevenson
Persuasion (7 CDs), read by Juliet Stevenson
Lady Susan (2 CDs), read by Harriet Walter, Kim Hicks, Carole Boyd and cast
The Watsons and Sanditon (4 CDs), read by Anna Bentinck

It comes in a handsome, durable 69-CD box-set (accompanied by a full set of notes) – even her incomplete novels The Watsons and Sanditon!

So, while you are following the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma this month, you may be inspired to listen to Jane Austen’s original words... or put the box-set on your Christmas list!

PODCAST

Juliet Stevenson on Jane Austen
Having now read the majority of Jane Austen’s novels in abridged and unabridged form for Naxos AudioBooks, Juliet Stevenson talks to David Timson about all things Austen.

Juliet Stevenson Podcast (MP3, 8 min.,  3.82 MB)

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