The Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection

A Radiant Rendition

Step into the enchanting world of Jane Austen with the BBC's stellar radio dramatizations in "The Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection." This audiobook compilation is a treasure trove for both devoted Austen enthusiasts and those new to her timeless tales.

Impeccable Casting: The audiobook boasts an all-star cast that reads like a who's who of celebrated actors. With luminaries such as David Tennant, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julia McKenzie, Jenny Agutter, Toby Jones, Eve Best, and Juliet Stevenson, each story comes to life with performances that are nothing short of extraordinary. The actors' nuanced portrayals capture the essence of Austen's characters, making the listening experience immersive and captivating.

The Complete Austen Experience: This collection includes all six major novels by Jane Austen, allowing listeners to traverse the landscapes of "Mansfield Park," experience the Gothic allure of "Northanger Abbey," navigate the societal intricacies in "Sense and Sensibility," revel in the wit and romance of "Pride and Prejudice," witness the matchmaking endeavors in "Emma," and savor the poignant reunion in "Persuasion." The comprehensive nature of the compilation ensures a holistic journey through Austen's literary genius.

Capturing Austen's Essence: Austen's novels are renowned for their keen observations of societal norms, witty dialogue, and timeless themes of love and social standing. The BBC's dramatizations skillfully capture these elements, infusing the narratives with humor, romance, and the complexities of human relationships. The radio format enhances the storytelling, making it accessible and engaging for a modern audience.

Production Excellence: The production values in this audiobook are commendable. The sound design, music, and pacing contribute to an immersive experience, transporting listeners to the drawing rooms, estates, and ballrooms of Austen's world. The distinct soundscapes for each novel enhance the narrative flow and maintain a sense of cohesion throughout the collection.

A Feast for the Ears: Clocking in at approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes, this audiobook offers a substantial and fulfilling auditory experience. Whether you're indulging in one novel at a time or embarking on a Jane Austen marathon, the collection provides a feast for the ears and a delightful escape into the refined yet tumultuous worlds crafted by the literary luminary.

In conclusion, "The Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection" stands as a radiant testament to the enduring appeal of Austen's works. With impeccable performances, comprehensive content, and outstanding production, this audiobook is a must-have for bibliophiles and audiophiles alike, offering a delightful immersion into the timeless tales penned by one of literature's greatest luminaries.

You may like these audiobooks... Buy now!

Bibliotherapy

5.0 out of 5 stars A great gift for any Janeite

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2017

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Any Jane Austen fan would love this collection. A single box holds all the discs for the dramatization of Austen's six novels. Because the most likely person to purchase this collection is a Janeite, I'll spare any description of the stories and focus the review on the quality instead. The dramatizations are enjoyable. For anyone who would like an entertaining, light-hearted commute, pop these discs in. They're great to fall asleep to as well. The only minor complaint I have is that the box is not particularly practical. It holds all the discs in one singular stem. So in order to pick the novel you want to listen to, you have to pull out all the discs that sit on top of it. It's not convenient to have to do that. If this doesn't bother you, then there really isn't a downside to purchasing this.

Jennifer Roberts

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Fun

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2020

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I am a massive Austen fan (though I loathe Emma) and hearing some of my favorite British actors bringing these books to life was a genuine treat. If nothing else, Mansfield Park made it all worth the price.

sdg

5.0 out of 5 stars Great dramatizations!

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2017

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I am a huge fan of audio books with great stories and great readers. I love this dramatization of the Jane Austen novels. As they are dramatizations, they are not her writings verbatim. The recordings and characters are well done. The only thing I don't like is the packaging of the CDs. They are all on one post and my post actually arrived broken. The entertainment and listening pleasure exceeds this small inconvenience.

K. Deegan

5.0 out of 5 stars An Austen Fan Must-Have

Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2017

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A great way to get the complete collection of Jane Austen's work. Even if you've read the works, this is a joy to listen to and is a great aid for those who don't like reading or who might struggle with comprehension. And again, you'll find may familiar voices and talents.

G. W.

5.0 out of 5 stars great voices👂💓

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2020

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❤️ so captivating and enjoyable. buy it! love the spoken word on disc.

Ariel G.

4.0 out of 5 stars 5/6 books were dramatized fantastically!

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2017

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Excepting Pride and Prejudice (which is a shame, because it's my favorite) I loved the dramatization. I think Mansfield Park was my favorite.

Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fabulous resource for those who love Jane Austen's books

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2017

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This is a fabulous resource for those who love Jane Austen's books! I have greatly enjoyed listening to these dramatizations of her books! I would HIGHLY recommend this! And the discs/box came in excellent, brand-new condition.

Caroline Armstrong

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful dramatization. It brings the books to life

Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2017

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Wonderful dramatization. It brings the books to life. Reminds me of the stories my father would tell me about when they were children listening to dramatization a on the radio

Doc Culbard

4.0 out of 5 stars A collection of the bold, the beautiful, and the beloved.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2021

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The Jane Austen (1775-1817) BBC Radio Drama Collection was bought as a gift for a member of my family (the playing of which were for my ears as well). The box set includes all six of Jane Austen’s novels. The first four of her novels were published during her lifetime - Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). Austen’s remaining two novels, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion, were both published posthumously and anonymously in 1817.
Jane Austen was the daughter of the manse and her novels reflect the kind of living enjoyed by the gentry of her day. The novels are primarily writings of romantic fiction, set against the background and everyday concerns of the English gentry. The settings of her novels, the quality of the writing, and the incisive insight she had of 18th century English life, have resulted in her gaining the reputation as the one of the most widely read and beloved writers in English literature, despite her personal modest appraisal of her ability as a novelist.
Jane Austen’s novels have had an enduring appeal and popularity, and there have been many productions of her novels as television series, as well as full length movies. The full-cast audio dramatizations under review were produced by the BBC in 2016. They feature such well-known British artists as David Tennant, Julie McKenzie, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The CDs are packaged as a straightforward box set, with individual inserts which enable easy access to the CDs. It is a minor inconvenience that not all artists in each of the dramas are listed. The CD’s themselves seem to be somewhat abridged, but are generally fulsome and well recorded, with clear enunciation and timing. All things being considered, this is a valuable audio set of Jane Austen’s writings, and they come at a reasonable and competitive price.
Recommended for all aficionados of English literature in general, and Jane Austen in particular.

Amazon Customer

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad.

Reviewed in Canada on July 23, 2021

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I enjoyed these radio dramas - certainly better than listening to the radio on a long trip! There were, however, the following drawbacks: the stories are seriously abridged; conversations in Pride and Prejudice were significantly modified - might bother some listeners familiar with the original; sound quality not the greatest when a scene takes place in a large room with people set back from the microphone - at times I could barely hear some speakers.

G P.

5.0 out of 5 stars It is clear and easy and lovely to listen to

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2021

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Fir travelling long distance in the car is an excellent thing to have. Thanks

pentre

5.0 out of 5 stars worth buying

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2019

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During recent hospitalization when reading a book was too tiring, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these excellent bbc adaptations of Austen novels.

GaelFea

5.0 out of 5 stars Klare Kaufempfehlung

Reviewed in Germany on August 15, 2017

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Was soll ich großartig ausholen? Wunderbarer Hörgenuss untermalt mit stimmungsvoller Musik! Die Sprecher sprechen bisher(habe noch nicht alle in der Box enthaltenen Hörbücher angehört) ein sehr gut zu verstehendes Englisch. Die CDs befinden sich übereinander gestapelt in der Box, scheinen aber durch die Beschichtung dennoch gut geschützt und nahmen bisher auch keinen Schaden. Sie sind auch leicht aus der Box herauszunehmen. Für mich als Jane Austen Liebhaber ist diese Box ein Muss.
Klare Kaufempfehlung!