Pride and Prejudice

Penguin Classics

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Indira Varma, Kristin Atherton - Introduction

Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Indira Varma, who has starred in Luther and Game of Thrones. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Vivien Jones.

When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited; he is indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life.

Public Domain (P)2020 Penguin Audio

10/10 Narration

Indira Varma made me fall in love with these characters yet again! Everyone was portrayed in a manner that honored their character rather than rendering each caricatures (I’m talking to all of you doing the shrillest Mrs. Bennet voices for no reason). A las, another reread and yet it’s as if I’ve never read it!

What's Not to Love!

This was such a sweet and romantic book, a little different from the movie version with Kiera Knightly. I feel like books and movies created now, in our current society no longer allow for "true romance". This story felt true and sincere and beautiful. The narrator was wonderful. I highly recommend!

Indira Varma gives this classic the reading it deserves

I have never been satisfied with any of the P&P narrators available on Audible until now.
When I realized Ms. Varma was not going to screech her way though Mrs. Bennet’s character, as others do, I was sold. It’s not necessary to make Mrs. Bennet sound like a fishwife to convey her failings, and it makes for an unpleasant listen.

The subtle voice characterizations throughout the novel were much appreciated. No exaggeratedly low pitch for male voices. No need to strive to make a character like Mr. Collins sound even more foolish. It’s all there in the writing.

This was a pleasure from beginning to end. I look forward to more Audible books read by this narrator.

exceptional narrator

The narrator is the best I've heard yet. She is the perfect fit in my opinion. fully recommend.

Thank Goodness for the Narrator

Most renditions of P&P have the narrators give a very annoying voice to Mrs. Bennet. That turned me off of listening to several versions, simply because I can't imagine hearing the whole story that way. Even in the movies, Mrs. B doesn't sound like that.

Indira Varma, thankfully, makes her sound less shrieky and more like a person actually would. However, I do wish she'd varied her readings of some of the characters more. Jane can sometimes sound like Elizabeth or Mr. B like Darcy, which makes it less fun. She does, luckily, put the right amount of haughtiness into Lady Catherine and I liked her voicing of Charlotte Lucas, whom I was not as interested in before but I like better now after this version.

Having read the story in high school as my first intro to Austen and having listened to almost all the other Audible versions of her works (minus Emma and Northanger Abbey), this was not my first time with an Austen novel. But this Audible book reminded me of why this book is so beloved. I can see why the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth is so memorable, as are the social and economic background behind the marriage market (Mrs. B knows the competition). And of course, Elizabeth is lively compared to her sisters, which is why her father thinks she has a bit more sense than them.

I will also say about the intro (purposely at the end of the story so not to spoil plot points) that this is a scholarly examination of the themes in the story. So if you don't agree with the things mentioned, don't worry about it spoiling things for you. Austen's works can be enjoyed for their story and/or for the bigger things she's saying about marriage and love in her time.

I recommend this listen if you want a good Audible version of the story. I also recommend listening or reading Jo Baker's Longbourn along with it. It's the story of P&P from the servants' perspectives, which I honestly enjoy more because it adds life to the story from beyond the gentry level of the Bennets. If you've never read Austen, this is a great start.

Well narrated classic

Well narrated classic with subtle dramatization of dialogue that doesn’t interfere with the appreciation of the language. If you really admire Austen and this book, don’t skip the Introduction that comes at the end. Very informative.

Great book, bad introduction

One of my favorite books, with captivating vocabulary and style. Very well read; there are however awkward pauses where Jane Austen never named a certain character or place. The introduction (not by Jane Austen) at the back of the book tries to make the story out to be politically loaded; very sour note at the end of a happy read.

Best Narration of this book!

I've read, listened, and watched everything Pride and Prejudice. Thank you for an updated and well done audio performance. This is so worth adding to your collection!