Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Emma (Version 7 Dramatic Reading)
- Author: Jane Austen
- Narrator: LibriVox Volunteers
- Length: 16:27:44
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 07/09/2016
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Romance, Historical Romance
- ISBN13: SABLIB9783997
The first time I heard Emma Woodhouse’s voice in this dramatic reading, I was sitting on a creaky wooden bench in a 200-year-old posada in Granada, Spain. The courtyard’s orange blossoms perfumed the air as the LibriVox volunteers brought Highbury to life, and I remember thinking how perfectly Austen’s comedy of manners translated to this oral tradition – like sipping sherry while eavesdropping on the most delicious village gossip.
This Version 7 dramatic reading is a particularly vibrant interpretation of Austen’s 1815 masterpiece. The multiple narrators create a tapestry of voices that makes the social microcosm of Highbury feel astonishingly present. When Mrs. Elton speaks with her pretentious inflections, I’m transported back to that Oaxacan grandmother’s storytelling – every character so distinct you could recognize them by the cadence of their sighs. The ensemble approach particularly shines during the famous Box Hill picnic scene, where the layered voices create a palpable tension that had me holding my breath despite knowing the story by heart.
What struck me most during this listening experience was how the audio format illuminates Austen’s genius for dialogue. The famous scene where Mr. Knightley chastises Emma for her treatment of Miss Bates – “Badly done, Emma!” – lands with such visceral impact in this performance that I actually paused my walk through the Albaicín quarter to fully absorb it. The narrator captures Knightley’s mixture of disappointment and care perfectly, reminding me of my own mentor’s voice when I’d been particularly thick-headed during my early travel writing days.
The production isn’t without its quirks – the nature of volunteer recordings means occasional inconsistencies in audio quality. One chapter might sound like it’s recorded in a cozy library, the next with slight echo as if the narrator retreated to a tiled bathroom for better acoustics (a trick I’ve used myself when recording in noisy hostels). But these imperfections add charm rather than detract, like finding marginalia in a used book.
Austen’s exploration of class dynamics takes on new dimensions when heard aloud. The way the Hartfield servants are mentioned but never heard becomes more noticeable, their silence speaking volumes about Regency England’s social stratification. I found myself particularly moved by Harriet Smith’s scenes in this version – the narrator captures her vulnerability so well that I recalled a young Mayan woman I met in Guatemala who similarly navigated social worlds she only half-understood.
For travelers like myself who carry stories across continents, this audiobook makes perfect company. The novel’s tight geographic focus – nearly all set within walking distance of Hartfield – becomes a fascinating contrast when listened to while gazing at, say, the endless Mongolian steppe. Austen’s microscopic attention to social nuance reminds me why I always seek out local tea houses and markets: the real stories live in these small, seemingly insignificant interactions.
The romantic elements shine particularly bright in this dramatic reading. When Emma finally recognizes her feelings for Mr. Knightley, the narrator’s subtle shift in tone conveys that seismic internal shift better than any film adaptation I’ve seen. It’s a masterclass in emotional restraint – like noticing the exact moment when a stranger’s eyes change from polite interest to genuine connection across a crowded bazaar.
While purists might prefer a single narrator for consistency, I found the multiple voices enhanced the novel’s communal atmosphere. The different interpretations of Emma herself (some emphasizing her wit, others her willfulness) create a surprisingly cohesive portrait, much like how travelers from different backgrounds might describe the same city in contradictory yet truthful ways.
Compared to other Austen audiobooks, this version’s dramatic approach makes it ideal for listeners who might find Regency novels challenging. The sparring between Emma and Mr. Knightley has the crackle of live theater, and Miss Bates’ famous monologues become uproarious when performed with the right breathless energy. It’s the audio equivalent of discovering a lively dinner party where everyone’s just tipsy enough to be fascinating.
May your journeys – whether through pages or landscapes – always lead you to unexpected wonders, Marcus
Marcus Rivera
