Pride and Prejudice

A Truth Universally Acknowledged

This is the fourth Audible version of P&P that I have purchased and listened to, and the first I have bothered to write a review of because it is by far the best. Rosamund Pike mispronounces a very few words, and sometimes goes overboard in her zeal to create separate, distinctive voices for each character, which sometimes (e.g., with Mr. Bingley's married sister Mrs Hurst) results in a female character sounding like a man), but overall is the most adept of all narrators of this beloved classic at allowing Austen's flawless prose to speak for itself. Her reading easily exceeds that of Alison Larkin (the 200th Anniversary Audio Edition), although that one is lively and entertaining, and includes music. The audio quality is far better than that of the version narrated by Lindsay Duncan, which, combined with Duncan's almost whispered Mrs Bennet voice, often makes that version difficult to listen to while driving. Pike's narration even exceeds that of Carolyn Seymour in the Blackstone Audio version, which until now was the most listenable of all.

Bravo, Rosamund Pike! And thank you, Audible! I will listen to this audiobook many, many times in the years to come!

168 of 181 people found this review helpful

A perfect narration of a perfect book

Where does Pride and Prejudice rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the second edition of Pride and Prejudice that I purchased - I already have an older version (different narrator) and I am so glad that I saw Rosamund Pike's name and immediately bought this one. It is absolute perfection. It has long been one my favorite books but with her priceless narration if is certainly going to be on of the Beloved ones.

Which character – as performed by Rosamund Pike – was your favorite?

Practically all of them. She is a brilliant narrator with magnificent voice and managed to make even Mrs Bennet tolerable - not a small feat in itself. Her Mr Bennet is fantastic (actually I think she did it better than Sutherlend's performance in the 2005 movie) - she managed to subtly underline a hint of malevolence in his humor which I personally think is there and most people do not pay attention to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me smile in sheer sensual pleasure all the time I listened to it (could not stop and listened through the night).

Any additional comments?

A wonderful audio book, simply wonderful. I hope this is not the last time I listen to something narrated by Rosamund Pike.

91 of 98 people found this review helpful

Almost A Perfect Performance

Rosamund Pike's voice was a great addition to the slew of Pride and Prejudice narrators. While her narrator voice is beautiful, and her main characters voices are lovely, her ancillary character voices are WEIRD. Watch out, Maria Lucas has a lisp. And a strange one at that.

At first her voices for these extras was pretty distracting, but I think Pike made up for it with how well she reads the rest of this novel of perfection.

26 of 29 people found this review helpful

Rosamund Pike = Perfection

Would you listen to Pride and Prejudice again? Why?

I would. Its a classic story and enjoyable each and every time. Rosamund Pike just has the most perfect voice to narrate this story!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It wasn't - sadly a little too long for one go.

18 of 20 people found this review helpful

Ear candy

Would you consider the audio edition of Pride and Prejudice to be better than the print version?

Not better necessarily, but as an American, it certainly adds to the feel of Jane Austen. So, actually, maybe yes, better than the print. Best if read while you listen to it!

What about Rosamund Pike’s performance did you like?

I mean...the moment she opens her mouth it's like silk. Trying to change my voice for our daughter every time I read a good book gets difficult, and tiring, and sometimes I forget which voice I used for which character. This is one of my favorite books everrrrrr, and so as not to spoil it for our 11-year-old, Rosamund delights the imagination as we read along.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, more like as background, but only because I've seen the movies and read the book repeatedly.

48 of 55 people found this review helpful

Smiling as I clean

Having loved the story since high school lit class, I have read my tattered copy of Pride & Prejudice nearly every year. I have etched out time to indulge in the long A & E movie version and when time eludes, enjoy the latest 2-hour version. Yet I have known that the vocabulary and its rightful owners had to be abridged and reassigned in the screenplays.

When I saw that Rosamund Pike (actress who portrayed Jane in latest movie) had recorded for Audible, I immediately put the book and a pair of headphones on my wish list.

Birthday gifts did not disappoint, and I have cleaned my house top to bottom, folded laundry, sat for a spell, all the while thoroughly enjoying this audio version. Ms Pike's voicings have made me smile and laugh out loud. Her Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine are hilarious. The encounters at Rosings were some of my favorites. What a treat to get the whole story in dramatic form. I feel satisfied and look forward to listening again and again.

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

An exceptional narration of a great novel.

If you could sum up Pride and Prejudice in three words, what would they be?

Character, manners, and folly.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elizabeth Bennet is the story.

What about Rosamund Pike’s performance did you like?

She gives a lively and nuanced reading, showing a well-known story in a fresh aspect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I forced myself to go slower and enjoy the details.

Any additional comments?

I am familiar with P&P, and have the Lindsay Duncan performance, which I like, and had thought was the best available. Now I believe the Rosamund Pike narration is even better, more lively, subtle and interesting.

20 of 23 people found this review helpful

Wonderful reading of a literary classic!

Would you consider the audio edition of Pride and Prejudice to be better than the print version?

Normally I would say no to this question but I absolutely enjoyed this audio book more than my first reading of the book years ago which I loved as well.

What does Rosamund Pike bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Rosamund gives such depth to the characters through her different inflections and voices. The way she portrayed some of the characters had me smiling from ear to ear.

Any additional comments?

For anyone that loves Pride and Prejudice, I suggest this audio book. I was afraid it might be too slow for a listen but it proved to be just the opposite. I don't think I'll ever enjoy reading it again unless I am listening to Rosamund read it to me.

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

Wonderfly read by Ms. Pike

What made the experience of listening to Pride and Prejudice the most enjoyable?

Rosamund Pikes's voice acting is neither shrill nor muttled. She speaks clearly and enjoyably while changing her voice to represent all my favorite characters. Well done.

17 of 20 people found this review helpful

Good, but too many "voices"

This is one of my favorite novels and I thought the narration was generally good, although I wished the variation in character voices wasn't quite so overwrought.

16 of 19 people found this review helpful