Persuasion by Jane Austen audiobook review – Juliet Stevenson stars in this reading of ‘the perfect novel’

A poignant story of marital expectation and delayed love, Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot who, on the age of 27, is considered by well mannered society as a washed-up spinster. Eight years earlier, on the recommendation of her widowed father, Sir Walter, Anne was persuaded to interrupt off her engagement to a younger naval officer on the idea that his low rank and background would have harmed the household’s social standing. Now the Elliots are getting ready to monetary damage resulting from Sir Walter’s overspending and have been compelled to lease out their household house. In the meantime, the warfare with France is over and among the many returning troopers is one Frederick Wentworth, Anne’s former fiance, now a well-travelled and rich captain.

Signal as much as our Inside Saturday e-newsletter for an unique behind the scenes have a look at the making of the journal’s largest options, in addition to a curated record of our weekly highlights.

As soon as described by Harold Bloom as “the proper novel”, Persuasion – an adaptation of which involves Netflix this month, starring Dakota Johnson – was Jane Austen’s closing completed work, revealed six months after her demise in 1817. On this audio model, initially created for radio, Juliet Stevenson performs Anne, conveying the ache and resignation of getting misplaced the love of her life and the prospect of a household of her personal. As Frederick, Tim Brierley radiates the arrogance of a person who, regardless of being the identical age as Anne, has society’s younger single ladies at his ft and a brilliant future forward. And Sorcha Cusack is the narrator, offering subtly withering commentary on the machinations of the Nineteenth-century higher courses and the indignities visited on ladies who dare to assume for themselves.

Persuasion is out there through BBC Audio, 2hr 38min

Additional listening

The place The Crawdads Sing
Delia Owens, Hachette Audio, 12hr12min
Cassandra Campbell narrates the US bestseller a couple of younger lady who grows up alone within the wilds of North Carolina and finds herself accused of a horrible crime.

The Islander
Chris Blackwell, 9 Eight Books, 11hr30min
The memoir from the Island Information boss who helped revolutionise in style music is learn by the actor Invoice Nighy.