Sense and Sensibility

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Jill Masters

Rule by head or rule by heart? Elinor Dashwood is a great believer in "sense," while her exuberant younger sister Marianne feels keenly that only "sensibility" (what today we'd call passion) serves to guide the heart. Through vicissitudes and, in the case of Marianne, outright betrayal by her lover, these two women learn the value in the other's outlook, and thereby prepare themselves for later domestic bliss that is the hallmark resolution of Jane Austen's novels.© and (P) Jimcin Recordings

Nicely Done

Great book and very good reading. British accent gave it just the right "authentic touch."

Too much sense

How very ironic that this classic contrast of the heart and mind lacks any sensibility in the voice of its reader. Surely Marianne Dashwood would have ripped the pages from her hands and demonstrated the proper feeling that this romantic comedy deserves.

Pauses, the flat monotone, the lack of emotion or dramatic emphasis, all serve to sap the joy from the experience. The story is a must-read, but this recording will detract from the full effect of Jane Austen's fully illustrated characters.

Great story nicely read

Perhaps the disagreement about narrators of Austen's books comes from the stories being so dear to the listeners? It's hard to listen to a book you know well read differently from the way it 'sounds' in your head. I thought the narrator was just fine and greatly enjoyed the book.

Monotone

The monotonous narrator is very disappointing. Although she reads clearly, and has a pleasant voice, she has so little expressiveness. In fact, she sounds a little sad most of the time. The story of course is incomparable Austen. It deserves better treatment.

Find another reader

Don't bother listening to this one. S&S is a delightful, wonderful tale that reads beautifully (my 4 year old goddaughter and I read it with no problems last summer) but this reader sucks the life out of the story! On first listen, I thought that it was being read by my Macintosh. Any reader that I can compare to the Victoria voice is not a good reader. Even Elinor could not excuse this reader's lack of passion.

The story, of course, is quite wonderful. There are other readers, and I DO hope that Audible investigates them, and spends more time acquiring audiobooks from Blackstone. I have yet to be disappointed by a Blackstone production.