JANE AND THE GENIUS OF THE PLACE

Jane Austen investigates the murder of a beautiful horsewoman during the period of Napoleon's advance on Kent. Kate Reading's crisp tones provide an excellent narrative voice, as well as a perfect voice for Jane, but her lack of range often makes it hard to keep track of the other characters. Also the best narrator in the world would be hard-pressed to overcome an inherent flaw in translating this book into the audio medium--author Stephanie Barron's penchant for heavily footnoting Jane's "journal." It is distracting in print, and more so in narration, and often is hard to separate from the story. S.F. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]