Ethan Frome

An Immersive Audio Experience

By: Edith Wharton

Narrated by: Joe Arden

What would you do for love?

How much would you be willing to sacrifice?

And what happens when that love blooms in a garden outside your house?

Ethan Frome is a luckless farmer trapped in a loveless marriage to his domineering wife Zeena. When her cousin Mattie comes to stay with them, she brings much more into their home than just her suitcase.

Will Ethan’s newfound spark cause him to set his world afire or will his marital devotion squelch the flames of his desire?

From Edith Wharton comes this early 20th Century American classic, Ethan Frome.

©1911, 2022 Edith Wharton, Joe Arden (P)2022 Joe Arden

Beyond Pleasantly Surprised

From a guy who sought out chapter summaries online in my college lit class I took in high school (I'm now in my 30s), I wish I had this sort of production style for all the classic literature I had to read then. Joe Arden knocked it out of the park (and the production crew for score and sound effects). I WAS THERE IN THE STORY. I finished it only a few days ago, after listening on my walks over the course of 3 or so days then - and I'm tempted to listen again already (if only Miss Wharton had made a sequel, or turned the novella into a novel).

Like reading any old work, it takes a bit to get into the "language" of the day, but the audio effects and narration made it immensely easier to understand. And it makes one also appreciate that Wharton wasn't writing dull, "Ethan went inside the house," but rather described his approach, what he saw, what things felt like or looked like.

As for the story, I admit that I'm a husband to a Downton Abbey or other period piece lover, and have come to enjoy such stories myself for my own sake. I literally found this story by typing something along the lines of, "Stories that see New England as a setting and take place in the 18th or 19th centuries" into a search engine. When this came up, and the brief synopsis sounded slightly compelling, I chose this Audiobook format due to its reviews, and its length - which appeared longer than other audio narrations. An interview between the narrator and sound designer at the end is why. It's an interesting interview, for sure.

Many narrators fudge up voicing the other sex then themselves, but I feel Joe doesn't give us cheesy woman voices. He does a good job, which is to be commended since strong female roles are in this story.

The score and sound effects are fantastic, and they can't be praised enough. Nothing is cheesy or canned-sounding, and they feel just right. I wasn't expecting and was pleasantly impressed when audio effects were put on the narrator to make someone sound like they were talking from "downstairs" to "upstairs" inside the house, or when the narrator read that someone laughed and you hear in the background a chuckle from that voice. It was one of the first, and impressive "immersive audio experience," books I heard.

I sought out more books after words from Joe Arden and this sort of experience and wasn't able to find them (and I won't comment on what I did find Arden narrating, suffice it to say nothing that interests me).

Whether you're familiar with Ethan Frome, or like me, coming to it for the first time, I feel that this audiobook experience is an absolute must.

I wish all books were immersive experiences!

Joe Arden’s narration and Amanda Rose Smith’s sound design come together in a perfect rendition of this Edith Wharton classic. Listening to this while traipsing around in the actual snow was something I’ll never forget—the haunting melody, the sound of the wind, the creak of the house. Sometimes I couldn’t tell what was in my headphones and what was real life! Joe Arden’s narration has kind of ruined me for all other narrators anyway—you don’t just listen to his books, you experience them full force, in the moment, as a living breathing story full of characters brought to life so well that they become some of your best friends—but making it immersive brought it to a whole other level. Really loved the bonus interview at the end too. I wish more people did this, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at something that so many of us take for granted, which is the fact that a LOT of work goes into producing an audiobook. Instant favorite. Definitely recommend!!

Wow

Joe’s performance of this was absolutely OUTSTANDING. And the sound scapes?? Amanda, you genius!!

I was hooked and couldn’t stop listening. It’s eerie and mysterious, and just… really freaking good.

A Captivating and Immersive Take on this Classic Story

Joe Arden breathes new life into this classic story by Edith Wharton, creating an immersive and enthralling listening experience. He completely embodies each and every character, perfecting the accents and individual characteristics and idiosyncrasies of each. His impassioned and realistic performance pairs perfectly with the expansive soundscape created by the very talented Amanda Rose Smith. I was completely captivated by this powerful and compelling production.

Ethan Frome

I first heard Ethan Frome when Joe recorded it for the Audio Attic. Now he has teamed up with Amanda Rose Smith and curated this whole audio experience which took it to a whole new level of enjoyment. It’s so easy to get sucked into the story and feel like you’re walking along the street with Ethan or sitting across from Maddie while they enjoy dinner. And the emotion in chapter 9… oof. The credit was worth that chapter alone. This audio showcased Edith Wharton’s talent for writing a great story about ill-fated love and personal choices.

Also, make sure you stay turned for the interview at the end where you can hear Joe and Amanda discuss how this all came together. Anyone who works in this industry is a rock star and I loved the little peek behind the curtain.

UNFORGETTABLE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

This classic, a story of ill-fated unrequited love, so beautifully narrated by Joe Arden and visually enhanced by the collaboration with Amanda Rose Smith, is a must read. Ethan Frome, a good man driven by duty and beset by misfortune falls in love while in a loveless marriage. His glimpses of happiness and what might be make for heart-rending compassion. If only. I have read it twice already and every moment is seared into my visual memory. Like the best classics it will remain in my library forever to be enjoyed over and over again while my tears fàll.

Short story, big impact

I am a fan of the short story already, but Ethan Frome is definitely now one of my favorites. It would be a chilling tale even if much of it wasn't set in the cold and snow.
At first I wasn't overjoyed by the added music and sound effects, but once I swapped from my phone to my car speakers and other Bluetooth devices, I had no problem hearing the narrator clearly above the background, and I began to appreciate the added touches. They were very well done, and the light grit in the narrator's voice lent itself well to the darkness of the story.

Dark and beautiful

Joe Arden is amazing as always, and the soundscape was lovely, haunting, and really added to the suspense. Thanks for giving me an excuse to revisit this classic!

Brilliant

This story has long been one of my favorites. Joe Arden, along with immersive audio, brings it to the next level. This will definitely be a relisten.

There's bonus material at the end, too.

A Classic

Wharton examines a theme as old as time in this sad tale. Of her many books and short stories,*Ethan Frome* is, in my opinion, one of her best.

Narration is good, sound effects subtle and well done.