Emma, by Jane Austen, Read by Juliet Stevenson (Naxos AudioBooks) – A Review

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: 

Emma, Jane Austen’s fourth novel was published in 1815 and dedicated to the Prince Regent, later King George IV.  The dedication was a request by the Prince and not Austen’s idea. She privately abhorred the Regent for his treatment of his wife Princess Caroline, and his abhorrent dissipated lifestyle. In 1813 she wrote to her friend Martha Lloyd, “I suppose all the World is sitting in Judgement upon the Princess of Wales’s Letter. Poor woman, I shall support her as long as I can, because she is a Woman, & because I hate her Husband.” She did, however, recognize the value of his Royal name and agreed to the dedication.

Lacking Incident, Romance, and Story?

Upon publication, Emma had its own share of critics. What impressed early readers was not that it lacked energy and style, but that its story was dull and uneventful. Even Austen’s famous publisher John Murray thought it lacked “incident and romance,” and Maria Edgeworth, a contemporary author so greatly admired by Austen that she sent her one of the twelve presentation copies allotted by her publisher, could not read past the first volume and thought “there was no story in it.” Ironically, what these two prominent and well-read individuals attributed as a weakness is actually Emma’s greatest strength.

Emma Woodhouse, Rather a Pill

If one looks beyond the surface, Emma is an intricate story focused on the astute characterization and social reproof which Austen is famous for. Emma Woodhouse is a complex character that on first acquaintance is rather a pill. Austen gave herself a great challenge in creating “a heroine whom no one but myself will like.”  In contrast with her other heroines, Miss Woodhouse does not have any social or financial concerns and thus no compelling need to marry. Therein lies the rub. We have no sympathy for her whatsoever. She’s rich, she’s spoiled and she’s stuck up. Who indeed could possibly like such a “troublesome creature”?

A Small Village Filled with Endearingly Flawed Characters

During the course of the novel, we witness her exerting her superior notions of who is suitable for whom as she matchmakes for her friends with disastrous results. It is no wonder that Maria Edgeworth gave up reading Emma after the first volume. At that point, we have met most of the characters in Emma’s insular world and are coming to fully understand her ignorance and misguided perceptions in relation to them. She is truly exasperating. Austen tests our endurance fully as the novel progresses and her heroine continues to make mistakes. It is a testament to her skill as a writer and deft comedian that she holds our fascination with the “busy nothings” of every-day country life in Highbury, a small village filled with endearingly flawed characters.

Austen’s Remarkable Skill at Characterization Shines

The transformation of the heroine from spoiled and insufferable into a contrite, mature and likable young lady that you want to root for, is nothing less than remarkable. It is truly a shame that Edgeworth could not recognize the genius of Austen’s sly sashay of characterization into a world that could be your own neighborhood. We can only account that, “One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.”

Narrator Juliet Stevenson is Perfection!

If you liked the new BBC/PBS miniseries Emma (2009), enjoy the original novel with all of Austen’s resplendent language in this expertly produced audio recording. Superbly read by acclaimed British actress Juliet Stevenson, viewers of the 1996 movie adaptation of Emma will remember her superb portrayal of the vulgar a vacuous Mrs. Elton and know you are in for a treat. Adding an equal measure of energy and humor to each of the characters, Stevenson’s perfect blending of a classic novel and a sensitive interpretation enhanced my enjoyment greatly. Add this to your audiobook collection for your  commute to work, while exercising, or as the sole center of attention while sipping tea on a Sunday afternoon. I highly recommend it. “It is such a happiness when good people get together — and they always do.” Ch 21

5 out of 5 Stars

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AUDIOBOOK INFORMATION

• Emma, by Jane Austen, read by Juliet Stevenson
• Audile.com (June 06, 2008) 
• Naxos AudioBooks, Unabridged, 16 hours and 39 minutes
• ASIN: B001AWVS08
• Genre: Classic Literature

ADDITIONAL INFO | ADD TO GOODREADS

We received a review copy of the audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Austenprose is an Amazon affiliate. Cover image courtesy of Audible.com © 2008; text Laurel Ann Nattress © 2010, austenprose.com. Updated 2 April 2022.