Julliet Stevenson Narrating at her best

Brilliant a joy to listen too, the characters are portraied so well, I could listen to it over and over again

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22 people found this helpful

Captivating

A truly brilliant performance by Juliet Stevenson. Her deep understanding of the author's intentions, the characters and the tone of the novel shine through this wonderful piece of story telling. Add to that the natural quality of her voice and, for me, you have the perfect combination. Next . . . Northanger Abbey and hours of pleasure.

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2 people found this helpful

Superb reading of a great classic

Juliet Stevenson is quickly becoming my favourite reader, this version is one of her best and of course the original source material is as excellent as all of Jane Austen’s writing

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2 people found this helpful

Wonderful story, very well read

I love all the Jane Austen books but Mansfield park took me longer to warm to. I first read it at 16 at which time I felt Fanny Price to be very dull. However, age and rereading the book several times have made me love it more. Fanny is a little moralising but is very affectionate, self-deprecating and patient and her romance is much more of a show burn than many of the other heroines of Austenland (though perhaps Emma's is as late to arrive).

Juliet Stevenson's narration is a joy to listen to. I had a version of Mansfield Park read by someone else but after listening to Ms Stevensons narration of Persuasion I rebought all the Austen books which she has narrated (being all the completed works other than price and prejudice) and I must have listened to them all 5 or 6 times over the last 10 years. she really brings alive the characters, no mean feat when you think of how different the austen heroines are.

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1 person found this helpful

Some parts drag on too much

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, It is a great reminder of the way society was structured and of how people belonged within a social class and were bound by the rules of that class. It also feels like the characters enjoyed a more gentle pace of life and it is relaxing to listen to and easy to become immersed in a simpler time.
I did feel that some parts were too drawn out whilst other parts, with more interesting events, were rushed. I also felt that the main character was being described as too perfect in a 'tongue in cheek' style in the end. It is as if the book had been returned to and finished at a later date with the addition of some extra twists and turns to add something to it.

What other book might you compare Mansfield Park to, and why?

Other Jane Austin books. Anthony Trollope is the same era and social commentary. Middlemarch by George Eliot is also the same style of writing but is, in my opinion, better.

Which character – as performed by Juliet Stevenson – was your favourite?

Sir Thomas

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

No, by the time it got to the end I was finding the lead characters, for whom I should have been happy, very annoying.

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1 person found this helpful

Jane Austin entertainment.

Eloquently narrated by Juliet Stevenson, who captures the atmosphere perfectly. The characters come to life in this story.

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Juliet Stevenson is excellent (again)

Mansfield park has always been the book least read repeatedly for me. It didn’t really grip me as well as the others did. This reading helped remedy that. Juliet Stevenson is superb. The characterisation given by ms Stevenson is exceptional and it has become a firm favourite amongst the other great works. Highly recommend this version. I’ve bought 3 other versions in the past and they each fall short of this one. It really is that good.

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Much better than expected!

Turned out to be a compelling story, beautifully read. Raised a lot of issues still relevant today.

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Another Austen Classic

Not quite on a level with Pride & Prejudice or Sense & Sensibility but another enjoyable Jane Austen none the less..
9/10

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Enjoyable but frustrating

I really do like the story of this book and I do enjoy the characters, their alterations and their relationships.

I really struggle with Fanny however, to me she just comes across as so obsequious. I get that she's been brought up with such a distinction between herself and her cousins. But sometimes it just feels like it's taken too far. Maybe it's just because it's different times and her character is so different to the other Austen heroines.

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