Sense and Sensibility

This classic Jane Austen novel tells of two sisters with different views of romance. One is sensible, one is wildly romantic. The two sisters find that it's difficult to be always one or the other, and by the end they have flip-flopped their personalities when it comes time to choose their husbands. Kate Winslet reads with an impressive repertoire of voices, from the high nasal voice of Fanny, to the old regal voice of Mrs. Dashwood. But her narrative voice is inconsistent and tends to take on characteristics of the voice she has just portrayed. She's tries too hard with her voices, and the effort takes away from the story. J.F.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine


Wanda McCaddon delivers a delightful narration in this production of Austen's beloved first novel. McCaddon's characterizations are as lively as they are exact: From impetuous Marianne to the reserved Elinor; from dashing, willful Willoughby to the long-suffering, noble Colonel Brandon, her reading beautifully captures Austen's vivid creations. McCaddon's deep understanding of this story appears to be accompanied by an equally deep pleasure in it. It seems as though she relishes every word as she brings to life the story's many dramas--from Elinor's quietly hidden heartache to Marianne's heart-on-her-sleeve heartbreak. Even if you've read the book and seen the movies, McCaddon still brings fresh insights to Austen's story and characters. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine