Reviews
The Jane Austen Collection: Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Persuasion (Argo Classics) by Jane Austen
amysutton's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I was so excited to see this collection of abridged Jane Austen novels. I have only previously read Pride and Prejudice and I absolutely loved the humor and dry wit that Austen infused her characters with.
These stories were not quite as captivating to me, and I'm not sure if that's because they are abridged or because I listened to the audiobook instead of reading them myself.
I did absolutely love the book Emma. Emma herself was annoying in an entertaining way as she tried (and failed) to play matchmaker over and over. Miss Bates was just as entertaining as the running joke was that she barely breathed between words and clearly defined the word "long-winded". The narrator, Prunella Scales, voiced this flawlessly. In fact, this book alone was worthy of a 5 star rating.
The other two stories, however, were not quite what I was wanting. While there was the same content of 1800s regency, there was little comic relief and I was not as drawn to the characters. Overall, I'm really happy that I read (listened to) these and was able to finally add more Austen to my reading list.
I was so excited to see this collection of abridged Jane Austen novels. I have only previously read Pride and Prejudice and I absolutely loved the humor and dry wit that Austen infused her characters with.
These stories were not quite as captivating to me, and I'm not sure if that's because they are abridged or because I listened to the audiobook instead of reading them myself.
I did absolutely love the book Emma. Emma herself was annoying in an entertaining way as she tried (and failed) to play matchmaker over and over. Miss Bates was just as entertaining as the running joke was that she barely breathed between words and clearly defined the word "long-winded". The narrator, Prunella Scales, voiced this flawlessly. In fact, this book alone was worthy of a 5 star rating.
The other two stories, however, were not quite what I was wanting. While there was the same content of 1800s regency, there was little comic relief and I was not as drawn to the characters. Overall, I'm really happy that I read (listened to) these and was able to finally add more Austen to my reading list.
khoar's review
5.0
A collection of three of Jane Austen's works, narrated by Prunella Scales. Since Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors - and my favorite author of classic literature. I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of this new audiobook adaptation. Prunella Scales does a marvelous job narrating the stories. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to listen to Austen.
I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
diana_raquel's review against another edition
4.0
"I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control."
The first time I read Emma, I thought it was one of the best novels by Austen. However, after this second reading, I still think this is a good novel, although not Austen's best work.
I had two major problems with this book. First, I had a problem with its pacing. It was a little slow at times. Nothing of importance really happened for the majority of the first chapters and the major plot twists happen in the lasts chapters. Second, I had a problem with the portrayal of society and the way characters behaved. I understand what Austen was trying to do, but the constant attitude of "stick to the status quo" could be a bit repetitive and irritating.
And while this book had everything to be a disaster, there wasn't a single boring minute in it. And that is due to Emma. Emma is one of those characters who have everything to be an antagonist: she is vain, spoiled, and clearly aware of her superiority in society. However, she is completely clueless about what goes on around her: for example, she considers herself to be an expert in matchmaking because of one fluke marriage and she thinks she is always right because of her superiority in society. And this attitude leads Emma into some funny, ridiculous, and quite entertaining situations. But at the same time, these situations turn into learning moments, showing Emma that she is too proud and pretentious and that she has the potential and resources to be a true heroine.
So, this book does have its problems (pacing is too slow, there is barely any romance) and it isn't as enjoyable as Austen's other novels but remains an extremely entertaining read. I strongly recommend it, but only if you already enjoy Austen’s style.
Final note: Maybe because this is one of the most entertaining and hilarious novels of Austen, it serves as the source material for some pretty good adaptations. I strongly recommend that you watch the 2009 TV mini-series starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller. The TV show is very faithful to the source material, and the characters are hilarious. Also, I recommend the 1996 movie adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam and the 1995 retelling of the novel, "Clueless", starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd (one of my favorite films of all time). I don't particularly recommend the 2020 adaptation starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn, because, however, the movie is a somewhat good adaptation and the actors did, overall, a very good job, I think that the movie failed in portraying the tone of the book. It's more focused on making a comedy adaptation of the book than on portraying the tone of "permanent clueless" that crosses the whole book.
The first time I read Emma, I thought it was one of the best novels by Austen. However, after this second reading, I still think this is a good novel, although not Austen's best work.
I had two major problems with this book. First, I had a problem with its pacing. It was a little slow at times. Nothing of importance really happened for the majority of the first chapters and the major plot twists happen in the lasts chapters. Second, I had a problem with the portrayal of society and the way characters behaved. I understand what Austen was trying to do, but the constant attitude of "stick to the status quo" could be a bit repetitive and irritating.
And while this book had everything to be a disaster, there wasn't a single boring minute in it. And that is due to Emma. Emma is one of those characters who have everything to be an antagonist: she is vain, spoiled, and clearly aware of her superiority in society. However, she is completely clueless about what goes on around her: for example, she considers herself to be an expert in matchmaking because of one fluke marriage and she thinks she is always right because of her superiority in society. And this attitude leads Emma into some funny, ridiculous, and quite entertaining situations. But at the same time, these situations turn into learning moments, showing Emma that she is too proud and pretentious and that she has the potential and resources to be a true heroine.
So, this book does have its problems (pacing is too slow, there is barely any romance) and it isn't as enjoyable as Austen's other novels but remains an extremely entertaining read. I strongly recommend it, but only if you already enjoy Austen’s style.
Final note: Maybe because this is one of the most entertaining and hilarious novels of Austen, it serves as the source material for some pretty good adaptations. I strongly recommend that you watch the 2009 TV mini-series starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller. The TV show is very faithful to the source material, and the characters are hilarious. Also, I recommend the 1996 movie adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam and the 1995 retelling of the novel, "Clueless", starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd (one of my favorite films of all time). I don't particularly recommend the 2020 adaptation starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn, because, however, the movie is a somewhat good adaptation and the actors did, overall, a very good job, I think that the movie failed in portraying the tone of the book. It's more focused on making a comedy adaptation of the book than on portraying the tone of "permanent clueless" that crosses the whole book.
cristinabessa's review against another edition
3.0
O enredo dos livros da Jane Austen é muito semelhante, bem como as caraterísticas das suas personagens. Ema é mimada, convencida da sua superioridade e conhecimento dos outros. Vai crescendo ao longo do livro, mas todo o desenrolar da história é muito previsível.
Tem algum humor, sobretudo na personagem do pai Mr. Woodhouse. O livro foi muito chato.
Tem algum humor, sobretudo na personagem do pai Mr. Woodhouse. O livro foi muito chato.
brookesnook's review
4.0
This was a really fun collection. The narrator was great and though I hadn't read two of the stories prior to listening to this, I felt they were well done and easy to listen to. Would definitely recommend!!
((Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!))
((Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!))
readstamara's review against another edition
4.0
Ema... Ai Ema, cada tiro cada melro.
Este livro pode resumir-se à incrível habilidade que Ema tem de ver amor em todo o lado, menos onde ele existe de facto.
Este livro pode resumir-se à incrível habilidade que Ema tem de ver amor em todo o lado, menos onde ele existe de facto.
jo2's review
3.0
I received a free ALC from NetGalley. It was very noticeable that they were all abridged, especially Sense & Sensibility. I hadn't read any of these three books before, but I don't feel like listening to these was an adequate replacement for reading the originals. I did, however, think the narrator did an excellent job. Her voice sounded very much of the time period that the books are from.
savannahmorrow's review
4.0
4 stars because the abridged execution is done very well. I think that someone looking to get into classic literature could test the waters with this collection. Prepare for the voice and accent of the narrator! I felt as if my governess was reading me a bedtime story, so maybe not the audiobook for a road trip!
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