Emma

An Audible Original Drama

By: Jane Austen, Anna Lea - adaptation

Narrated by: Emma Thompson, Joanne Froggatt, Isabella Inchbald, Aisling Loftus, Joseph Millson, Morgana Robinson

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

This Audible Original production of Jane Austen’s Emma is narrated by Emma Thompson (Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA winner, Love Actually, Harry Potter, Sense and Sensibility), with a full supporting cast including Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey, Liar), Morgana Robinson (The Windsors, Walliams & Friend, Morgana Robinson's the Agency), Aisling Loftus (Mr Selfridge, War & Peace), Joseph Millson (Casino Royale, The Sarah Jane Adventures) and rising star Isabella Inchbald as our eponymous heroine.

Before she began writing Emma, Austen wrote, 'I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like' and thus introduces the handsome, clever, rich - and flawed, Emma Woodhouse. Emma is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage; nothing however delights her more than matchmaking her fellow residents of Highbury. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr. Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. This lively comedy of manners with its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, it is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

Featuring: Alexa Davies, Joanne Froggatt, Adam Gillen, Rupert Holliday-Evans, Isabella Inchbald, Aisling Loftus, Anjella Mackintosh, Joseph Millson, Ukweli Roach, Morgana Robinson, Nicholas Rowe, Emma Thompson, Benjamin Wainwright, Eve Webster and Ria Zmitrowicz.

Public Domain (P)2018 Audible, Ltd.

Loved the story and the presentation

For me, this is the perfect way to read this book. I love Jane Austen, but I find my mind wandering when I read the actual books. Hearing Emma Thompson read it out loud let me enjoy every word while I multitasked. I saw some of the other reviewers took great umbrage over the ticking clock and other incidental sounds. I personally liked these touches--it helped to remind me of the setting. Were the characters outside? In the house? Etc. I listened to the whole thing on an iPhone, so perhaps the sounds are more annoying when you're listening through higher quality speakers. I have listened to radio shows my whole life, and so I tend to expect incidental background sounds. And this is more of an audio production with a cast than a simple reading. Again, I prefer this--listening to male readers squeak in female voices, or female readers attempt to do deep male voices tends to remind me of my mother reading me stories when I was small! I like having actual female and male readers doing the different parts. It makes it a lot easier to keep track of the many different characters as well. At this point in time, Emma is also FREE! I hope Emma Thompson reads many, many more books for Audible. She pronounced nothing incorrectly and always had the right inflection. It bothers me when readers don't seem to understand the material and emphasize the wrong words, or take a serious tone when a section is meant to be comical. And it's so jarring when they mispronounce words. The book is a classic, of course, and I loved the plot as well. I plan to look for more Jane Austen on Audible!

So enjoyable

Like a radio play. I find audible books wonderful generally as my eyesight is comprised but having so many people reading parts made the book similar to reading a play. Loved it. Emma Thompson is brilliant as always

Pure entertainment

After having seen the movie”Emma” several times, and reading the book , I hesitated to listen to the audiobook. However, it was just as magical and enjoyable as if I had never heard it before.

Wonderfully done

This was wonderfully done in the style of the 2009 Emma mini series. All the voices reminded me of the actors in the 2009 series!

Very impressive dramatization

I love all things Jane Austen and already have Emma expertly narrated by Juliet Stevenson, who played the role of Mrs. Elton so incredibly well in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice movie. I generally don't much care for dramatizations, due to the need for abridgment and added sound effects that can be annoying. However, I am so very impressed with this dramatization of Emma which is elegantly narrated by Emma Thompson and has a great cast. I felt that the script was an excellent adaptation and the other actors and moderate sound effects were really terrific.

This was a freebie for Audible members and I send my thanks to the Audible staff for a most excellent gift.

Charming rendition

The performances and voice actors were incredible. I loved the music and the background noises added immensely to the audial scene. I would love to hear more productions like this! I love Emma Thompson and her narration was flawless.

Wonderful idea with ONE performance issue

I love this performance with one exception, the Mr. Elton actor is HORRIBLE. Annoying in the most uncharacteristic way. He is stilted and overall a poor performer. He's the most distracting, worst part of the delightful series. I actually like background effects, but they do tend to get slightly loud and repetitive. EVEN THIS is more manageable than the Elton vocal.

Slow going in spots, but no fillers

Unlike modern writing of regency romances, this one is not filled in with descriptions in minute detail of everything worn, or as in some books a lot of explicit sex. Don't try to listen to this book when you're tired or sleepy unless you just want something to put you to sleep. This book isn't boring, but some reader's voices can have a sophomore k, .,,....

easy to listen to

Ttpical Jane Austen story. Narration and characters were entertaining. Easy to listen to while working on projects and round the house or while sewing. I like to have some light literature for listening around my 6 year old's ears may be tuned in and this book was perfect.

Beautifully done!

Both my husband and I listened to this. We thoroughly enjoyed it. All the voices were perfect and kept us engaged in this fun tale. Excellent dramatization. Highly recommended!