Emily Dennistoun

By: D. E. Stevenson

Narrated by: Emma D'Inverno

Emily Dennistoun lives alone with her elderly tyrannical father at Borriston Hall on the Scottish coast. Her mother died many years before, and her younger brother is at Oxford, presented with opportunities that Emily can only dream of. She has few friends and lives through her writing. Then she meets Francis, and despite vicissitudes of fortune, despite uncertainties, loneliness, and unhappiness, Emily holds steadfast to a love she knows is true.

©2001 Estate of D. E. Stevenson (P)2012 Soundings

Classic D. E. Stevenson.

What did you love best about Emily Dennistoun?

It's nice when the heroine isn't a teen, just for variety.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Emily Dennistoun?

There were several, all involving other people up to mischief!

Have you listened to any of Emma D'Inverno’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I know of.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was entertaining.

Any additional comments?

I would like to acquire all of D. E. Stevenson's books on audio.

I love DE Stevenson

the story kept me spellbound. I really enjoyed this narrator. Her voice and emotion suited the story

Promise of things to come

I have been a HUGE fan of D,E. Stevenson since I read my first "Mrs. Tim" book many years ago, so it was a pleasure to finally get to enjoy her first book. This has everything. An unloved and unappreciated young woman growing into spinsterhood. A lost heir. A despotic father and dead mother. A scheming harpy. Okay, maybe a little too much of everything.

BUT, it has what I love about Ms Stevenson's work. The depiction of everyday life in post-WWII Britain, Redemption through hard work, compassion and friendship.

The reality of life in a fishing village is well drawn, as is the isolation of Emilie living in Bouriston Hall as the unappreciated drudge of her tyrannical father.

I have enjoyed other books of hers more, but this has all of the themes that have made me a fan for so long. There is also the pleasure of an audio book in having the narration in a lovely Scots accent.

Another good story by D E Stevenson.

The narrator was good. I love reading these older books because there is no worry that I will be surprised by profanity or graphic scenes. These authors were able to convey their meanings without robbing the reader of the need for imagination.

An early example of Stevenson's works

D. E. Stevenson wrote many novels of life in Scotland and/or England, beloved by loyal fans world wide. Since her death in the 70's, it was thought that we would have no new novels from her pen. However, two years ago her grandaughter discovered some previously unpublished manuscripts in her attic. The publication of "new" books by D. E. Stevenson 40 years or so after her death has been a joy to her fans.

While these early works aren't quite up to the level of quality of her mature works, a weak novel by D. E. Stevenson is still better than the best works of many lessor writers. This novel, with action set in both England and Scotland, tells of the life of Emily Dennistoun as she escapes the domination of her tyrant father and learns to trust herself and her true love. Other memorable characters are part of this tale. And, as always, D. E. Stevenson's descriptions of the countryside of both England and Scotland transport the reader to another time and place.

This is absolutely one of Ms. Stevenson’s BEST!!!!

This is one of those stories that at first doesn’t seem to be going very far. But once you get into it, you see that it is not one story but many, linked together, through time and space. And the characters of all the intertwined stories, with only a couple of exceptions, are totally likable, kind, and modest people who you cheer for and whose lives you hope can be saved from seeming calamity. And these stories are made even better and more believable by the narration of Emma D’Inverno. Her male voices are not very “male”, and she misses the transition from one voice to another at times, but none of this really detracts. And that is because the narration of the story, not the dialogue of the characters, is what really made this book for me. Her soft, calming voice was just a pleasure to listen to and made an absolutely wonderful story just marvelous!!

Nice story

I liked it all. Nice to discover a previously unread book by DEStevenson--wonderful to find a recorded version

Treasure found in the attic

Long after D. E. Stevenson's death, this, along with some other writing, was found in an attic. What a treasure for those of us who have loved her books! I especially loved this reader. She was wonderful. I so enjoyed her slight accent, which was perfect for the book.

Excellent story and well read !

loved the story ! The characters are all well developed so the story stays entertaining.l would recommend it.

D E Stevenson never fails to delight me

Such a joy to hear one of my very favorite Arthur’s books read by an excellent reader. I enjoyed this so very much. I think I have read most all of Stevenson’s books but it was a delight to hear this one read to me.