Evelina cover art

Evelina

Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

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Evelina

By: Frances Burney
Narrated by: Orson Scott Card, Emily Rankin, Stefan Rudnicki, Gabrielle de Cuir
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About this listen

Originally published in 1778, Evelina is Frances Burney's first and most beloved novel. It was a landmark in the development of the novel of manners and went on to influence such enduringly popular authors as Jane Austen.

By turns hilarious and grim, witty and lyrical, the story follows young Evelina as she leaves the seclusion of her country home and enters into late eighteenth-century London society - both its pleasures and its dangers. Life in eighteenth-century England is vividly rendered as Evelina is educated in the ways of the world and, eventually, love. As she battles such cruelties as social snobbery and delights in such thrills as pleasure gardens and balls, Evelina strives toward her final triumph, while capturing the hearts of listeners everywhere along the way.

Public Domain (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Drama & Plays European World Literature England Funny Witty Heartfelt British History

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All stars
Most relevant  
The epistolary form is archaic, and Burney can be a little repetitive for modern taste. So I was glad to listen to it, when I would never have actually read it in print. Slow, and at times a bit listless, this is at other times a wonderfully evocative glimpse into a distant world. In the midst of which is a strong and engaging young woman, making her way in a generally unsympathetic world. It fits surprisingly well the chick-lit genre - young woman good, all men bad or silly. Moments of great charm.

Strong and engaging female lead

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I found this book after reading that Frances Burney was one of Jane Austen's favourite authors. I took to the style (i.e. letters - I can't spell out that long word beginning "eps.. or esp"!) straightaway, and though the narrators/readers did a fantastic job. One I will definitely be revisiting with affection.

Absolutely loved it!

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Jane Austin's favorite book!!! With an afterward by Orson Scott Card? I couldn't resist.

Such a great book!
The characters were realisticly frustrating, the events felt natural, and the setting was at times confusing(I had to google quite a few terms and descriptions) but beautiful.

It was a bit hard to get into it at first, especially the style of writing(through letters). But once it got to Evalina's letters, it was a lot easier and more fun.

My favorite part though, was the afterward. It put the style of writing and the author herself in a brighter light. I absolutely love all things Jane Austen, and Orson Scott Card is one of my most respected writers, so to have a combination of both, first what are the odds, and second Wow!

I absolutely loved it!

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A great listen for all who enjoy period drama. Convincing narrative and characters and a well read audio book. Required some attention to interpret beyond the story beyond the narrator’s account. Enjoyed all 16 hours!

Relaxing and amusing

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The story is enjoyable, though of it’s time. Audible version is a very helpful way to engage with an epistolary novel & probably many readers of the time would have heard it read aloud amongst their family. Unfortunately it’s let down by the American accents, though they do make an attempt at a more transatlantic accent and some characters came across better than others, but in particular the accent for the poor Scottish character was almost any accent in the world other than Scottish. I listened to this version as it is included but I wouldn’t chose to pay for it over another version which might be better read.

Shame about the accents

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The first reader is quite annoying and her over emphasis is not easy listening but persevere! Most of the book is read beautifully, the American voices, which might appear out of place to some, meld into the background as the glorious story proper unfolds

Persevere

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I really enjoyed this book. If it was Austin’s favourite book how could I not . I didn’t like the American accent for a 1773 British novel originally however it faded into the background, after a few chapters.

Such a timeless classic

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Who might you have cast as narrator instead of the narrators?

Anybody with the ability to do a variety of English accents.

Any additional comments?

This was unlistenable. I love this book to bits and was delighted to find a copy on Audible, but it is impossible to listen to a story so embedded in the complex culture of late eighteenth-century English politeness read with an American accent. Perhaps if you live in America the American accent sounds like your 'everyman' voice, but that is not so to the rest of the world.

Unlistenable due to accent.

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If you could sum up Evelina in three words, what would they be?

engaging historical fiction

What did you like best about this story?

I've been put off reading this by the length of the novel, but the audio version makes it possible to listen as I drive etc. Despite this, I put off listening to this for a while after purchasing it as I was daunted by the length and had a slight nagging feeling that it would be a bit tedious. I was wrong! I have really enjoyed listening to Evelina. The morals of the heroine are familiar from Jane Austen's works and are articulately expressed in her letters to her mentor and friend. The characters are all well-described and you get a real understanding of many of them. I occasionally wanted to yell at Madame Duval to put a sock in it when her tales of woe were repeated too often.

What didn’t you like about the narrators’s performance?

The American accents do not fit well with a pre-Regency English novel. I found myself chuckling at Mr Macartney's 'Scottish' voice, rather than empathising with his bizarre and sad story.

Entertaining story, dreadful accents

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One of the reason I enjoy books from this era is that I can imagine groups of girls reading them to each other for entertainment, passing copies around, hanging on every twist and turn the same way today's young women do with The Hunger Games or Twilight. It makes me feel connected to history and stops these books feeling like dusty old tomes. These are books that work best read aloud.

So, even though I understand what other reviewers are saying about the accents (and the Scottish accent is dreadful to be fair) honestly overall I didn't care. Emily Rankin has such a light sparkling touch perfect for Evelina that the fact she was American didn't bother me at all.

Definitely worth enjoying this early social satire if you're a fan of Austen and stick around for the afterword which explains how this edition came to be.

Wonderful

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