THE AUSTEN AFFAIR

Stephanie Németh-Parker's warm, conversational voice is spot-on for American actress Tess Bright, who is transported--along with her taciturn, disapproving costar, Hugh Balfour--to Jane Austen's England while filming a NORTHANGER ABBEY adaptation. Németh-Parker's narration is a liquid presence that conveys Tess's grief over her mother's death and her precarious career prospects. Tess's relatable frankness is another element of Németh-Parker's successful characterization. Her voice for Hugh is equally appealing; deeper tones depict his brooding attractiveness and social awkwardness. Her other British accents, including the wispy, higher voice used for nineteenth-century Tess, are less immersive. The noticeable difference between Tess's dialogue and her thoughts is distracting. Bell's high-spirited time-travel story and Németh-Parker's authentic American accents carry the audio despite uneven British accents. C.A. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2025]