Showing results by narrator "Harriet Stevens" in All Categories

As Jane Austen's first completed novel that was submitted to be published, Northanger Abbey is a miraculously weaved tale of love, society, and deception, themes that would come to be synonymous in literature with Austen's name. The young Catherine Morland receives a fantastic opportunity to explore the city of Bath with some family friends, and while there, she experiences a level of mental and emotional growth that was as yet unparalleled in her life.

The Secret Garden is a story about Mary Lennox, a 10-year-old child who never received love or affection from either of her self-centered parents, and was raised by the family's servants. She grows to be spoiled, selfish, and rude and after a cholera epidemic in India, everyone in her household is found dead except Mary. She is then transplanted to live with her uncle, whom she has never met before, at his manor in Yorkshire England.

Rumor has it that the Scarlet Pimpernel has super powers which aid him in evading capture along with his team of men. The Scarlet Pimpernel lives a double life, one as an English aristocrat, wealthy, and popular among society's elite, and another at night when he becomes a superhero and master of disguise to the French nobles he has vowed to save. To others, such as the revolutionists, he is something darker, and dangerous - a vigilante who must be captured and stopped at once.

The age old question of who loves whom is a timeless one that transcends generations. If anyone knew how to incorporate the many intricacies and obstacles of romance into one novel, it was none other than Jane Austen. Few are actually aware that this novel has gone on to inspire many other productions, such as the movie Clueless. The classic focuses on the life of Emma, who is 20 years old when we meet her and is whole-heartedly satisfied with the idea that she will never get married.

The novel provides insight and a bit of satire regarding the everyday humdrum in small towns. Cranford is separated into 16 chapters, opening with a snapshot of Captain Brown and his two daughters who live in the book's namesake town: Cranford. The gossipy women of the town are slow to accept Brown socially, but they eventually welcome him into their circles. Captain Brown is later injured, and the responsibility of the house falls on his younger daughter.

Romantic scandal, English aristocracy, and familial controversy come together in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice to make for quite the enjoyable listen. As the novel opens, we are introduced to the Bennet Family, whose five daughters have reached the age of marital eligibility. When the dapper (and single) Mr. Bingley and his friend, Mr. Darcy, move into the Bennets' neighborhood, talk in the Bennet house is occupied by musings of engagements, specifically between the eldest daughter, Jane, and Mr. Bingley.

Sense and Sensibility, the first novel written by Jane Austen, is the story of two upper-class sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, who trade fortunes when they leave Sussex with their mother for a more modest life in Devon. While Elinor is torn from the love of her life in Sussex, her younger sister, Marianne, finds romance in Devon. This book, even though it is Austen's first, demonstrates her trademark style of wit and comedy.

Scarlet Hopewell keeps dreaming about a magical world, a world where winged creatures sculpt with light, where dogs talk, and where Scarlet is the guest of honor at a wonderful party in a castle under the roots of a mighty oak tree. One day her father brings home an abandoned puppy who captures Scarlet's heart. Dakota is fun and loving and smart. Actually, he's really smart - too smart. And a lot too big. News shows start to take an interest.

Anne Elliott, the middle daughter of the vain, judgmental and lavish Baronet, Sir Walter Elliott, is persuaded by her family friend, Lady Russell, not to wed the man of her dreams Captain Wentworth. Ultimately regretting her decision to do so, years later, as fate would have it, Anne once again crosses path with Wentworth in another town. When Sir Walter and his daughters are forced to let their Estate - Kellynch Hall - to pay off Sir Walters debts, the family ends up relocating to Bath.

Listen Once. Listen Twice. A short story with epic proportion.