Sense and Sensibility

This classic Jane Austen novel tells of two sisters with different views of romance. One is sensible, one is wildly romantic. The two sisters find that it's difficult to be always one or the other, and by the end they have flip-flopped their personalities when it comes time to choose their husbands. Kate Winslet reads with an impressive repertoire of voices, from the high nasal voice of Fanny, to the old regal voice of Mrs. Dashwood. But her narrative voice is inconsistent and tends to take on characteristics of the voice she has just portrayed. She's tries too hard with her voices, and the effort takes away from the story. J.F.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

Three elements make Jane Austen's work so appealing: the love stories, the character portraits, and the wonderful prose with which she presents them (and through which much character information is implied). It's a pleasure to report that Annette Crosbie captures the cadence of Austen's prose perfectly. Crosbie distinguishes clearly among the many characters without losing or distorting the overarching perspective of Austen's prose. What's more, she shifts delivery and pacing with each character's dialogue in ways that allow Austen's rich humor to come through vividly. The result will please Austen fans and create new ones. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

The two qualities that comprise the title of this classic are brought vividly to the fore by Juliet Stevenson's narration. Sensible Elinor and her sister, the sensitive Marianne, embark on a variety of social adventures as they both seek true love. Stevenson, a narrator who makes the reader recognize the voices she creates long before the text reveals their identities, portrays the numerous characters with alacrity. With humor and humanity, Stevenson makes this lengthy production interesting and fun; her clipped tones and wry notes infuse the text with life. Solid plots and fine character development like Austen's shine in an audio production; SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is a brilliant means of partaking in the classics. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

This story of Elinor Dashwood, who represents sense, wit, and self-control, and her younger sister, Marianne, who believes exquisite feelings are the highest virtue, is probably the most beloved of Austen's novels after PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. When the laws of primogeniture allow John Dashwood to turn his stepmother and three half-sisters out of their home, they must seek both love and financial security in marriage, always a parlous business. Austen has a field day here with the selfish, the snobbish, and the vulgar, as well as with the kind and noble. Donada Peters's (aka Wanda McCaddon) performance of this romantic and funny little masterpiece is nothing short of delicious. B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

It's a cliché to say that reason triumphs over emotion in a Jane Austen novel, but the struggle is always far more interesting than the outcome. That's why Marianne Dashwood's passage from grief to good sense or Edward Ferrars's from quiet, unrequited faith to modest victory all delight the listener and ensure Austen's continued popularity. But how to choose among the current glut of Austen audios? Susannah Harker, familiar to Austen fans for her portrayal of Jane Bennet in the BBC's production of Pride and Prejudice, makes that task easier. As a trained British actress, she highlights the rich consonant qualities of Austen's prose. But more important, as a skilled reader, she possesses a complete range of pitch and the acute tonal nuance needed to capture Austen's delicate satire. If "our Jane" were to select a reader today, I suspect it would be Harker. P.E.F. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

For many students of literature Jane Austen is not simply A novelist but The novelist, an international treasure. Sense and Sensibility, her first novel, tells the stories of the Dashwood sisters--Eleanor, reserved and restrained (sense), and Marianne, emotional and impetuous (sensibility), and their troubled love lives. Narrator Sarah Badel is first-rate. She is engaged herself in the telling of this tale, charmingly but not overbearingly dramatic, able to differentiate consistently among many characters, properly approving some of the time and disapproving at others--altogether an admirable reader for an admirable piece of fiction. Austen's numerous fans will not be disappointed. T.H. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Jane Austen's first novel is a romantic adventure governed by the restraints of proper eighteenth-century British manners and featuring the two Dashwood sisters: cautious, sensible Elinor and impetuous, hopelessly romantic Marianne. British actress and seasoned audiobook narrator Wanda McCaddon gives a spirited reading, using skillful phrasing to interpret the text. She gives the characters distinct voices and captures their personalities perfectly. The twisted plot of loves lost and loves gained and, most importantly, the wit and subtle irony of Austen's writing are intact. Avid Austen readers will respond to McCaddon's fresh, thoughtful presentation--perhaps wishing it were unabridged. C.R.A. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Elinor Dashwood keeps both feelings and tongue in check; whereas, her dear younger sister, Marianne, is impulsive, spontaneous and emotional. The talented Julie Christie does a fine job with this abridgment of Austen's classic. Her portrayals of men are respectable although her female characterizations contain more variations and distinctions. Elinor's quiet determination contrasts nicely with Marianne's more passionate speech. Christie also captures the effusive Mrs. Jennings; the nervous, bubbly, yet insincere, Miss Steel; and the cold, haughty Mrs. John Dashwood. In spite of Christie's voice fading at sentence endings from time to time, her consistent performance successfully renders the characters' sensibilities and the sensible era in which they lived. J.H.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Wanda McCaddon delivers a delightful narration in this production of Austen's beloved first novel. McCaddon's characterizations are as lively as they are exact: From impetuous Marianne to the reserved Elinor; from dashing, willful Willoughby to the long-suffering, noble Colonel Brandon, her reading beautifully captures Austen's vivid creations. McCaddon's deep understanding of this story appears to be accompanied by an equally deep pleasure in it. It seems as though she relishes every word as she brings to life the story's many dramas--from Elinor's quietly hidden heartache to Marianne's heart-on-her-sleeve heartbreak. Even if you've read the book and seen the movies, McCaddon still brings fresh insights to Austen's story and characters. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Jane Austen's classic novel about sisters Elinor and Marianne has been produced on audio many times and featured many talented narrators. This version stands out as one of the best. Alison Larkin's narration will captivate listeners from the first sentence. Her delicate voice and perfect English accent sweep the listener back in time, right into the lives of the characters. Austen's nineteenth-century writing style flows off Larkin's tongue, making the dense passages easy to understand. She effortlessly conveys the many humorous scenes, capturing the pompous gentry and their ridiculous (even to them, apparently) social conventions. Two passages from a book by Austen's fifth-generation great-niece add a nice touch at the end of the story. M.M.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine