NORTHANGER ABBEY The Woman's Hour Serial

In this Woman's Hour dramatization, Juliet Stevenson elegantly presents Austen's novel with wry, nuanced humor. Stevenson captures impetuous, breathless Catherine's overactive imagination, fueled by the gothic novels she reads. From the vague, shallow Mrs. Allen to Catherine's intriguing, smooth-voiced suitor, Henry Tinley, Stevenson does a terrific job dramatizing all of Austen's characters, creating a new voice and persona for each. Stevenson's artful ability to convey Austen's characters and to dramatize their exchanges is underscored when she shifts back to the narrative voice reserved for Austen's ironic observations on their behavior. This audio program is so delightful that it's quite likely to send listeners looking for an unabridged version. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]