Sense and Sensibility

The two qualities that comprise the title of this classic are brought vividly to the fore by Juliet Stevenson's narration. Sensible Elinor and her sister, the sensitive Marianne, embark on a variety of social adventures as they both seek true love. Stevenson, a narrator who makes the reader recognize the voices she creates long before the text reveals their identities, portrays the numerous characters with alacrity. With humor and humanity, Stevenson makes this lengthy production interesting and fun; her clipped tones and wry notes infuse the text with life. Solid plots and fine character development like Austen's shine in an audio production; SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is a brilliant means of partaking in the classics. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine


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