The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison L...
While fashions change and technology evolves, there are just some things about being human that transcend time. And the persistence of those human experiences is why anyone can find themselves in the timeless, romantic, and funny novels of Jane Austen.
The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin brings a fresh voice to these classic stories. Hosted by writer and comedian Alison Larkin, each season will present an Austen novel with her award-winning narration and feature chats with actors, writers, and other fascinating people who have one thing in common: a passionate love for Jane Austen. Whether you’re a die-hard Austen fan or you have yet to be introduced, you’ll find something delightful – and relatable – at every turn.
We are currently airing Emma. Emma Woodhouse is a young, wealthy woman who enjoys matchmaking. Despite her good intentions however, Emma often misinterprets the relationships of around her, leading to romantic entanglements. The novel explores themes of love, class, and self-discovery, and is known for its witty and ironic portrayal of early 19th-century English society.
Stay tuned for Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion!
“Alison Larkin is a comic writer and performer and she approaches Austen as a satirist…she has genuine theatrical skill…sustained comic creations. The voice reveals all.” – The New Yorker
“Listeners will be captivated from the first sentence” – AudioFile Magazine
The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin is presented by Realm. Listen away.
1
Emma: Chapters 33-34
Emma was not required, by any subsequent discovery, to retract her ill opinion of Mrs. Elton...
40 min
2
Emma: Chapters 31-32
Emma continued to entertain no doubt of her being in love. Her ideas only varied as to the how much...
39 min
3
Emma: Chapters 29-30
It may be possible to do without dancing entirely. Instances have been known of young people passing many, many months successively, without being at any ball of any description, and no material injury accrue either to body or mind;—but when a beginning is made, it must be a very heavy set that does not ask for more...
35 min
4
Emma: Chapters 27-28
Emma must have delighted the Coles—worthy people, who deserved to be made happy!—And left a name behind her that would not soon die away...
32 min
5
Emma: Chapter 26
Frank Churchill came back again; and if he kept his father's dinner waiting, it was not known at Hartfield; for Mrs. Weston was too anxious for his being a favourite with Mr. Woodhouse, to betray any imperfection which could be concealed...
42 min
6
Emma: Chapters 24-25
The next morning brought Mr. Frank Churchill again...
34 min
7
Emma: Chapters 22-23
Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of...
33 min
8
Emma: Chapters 20-21
Jane Fairfax was an orphan, the only child of Mrs. Bates's youngest daughter...
40 min
9
Emma: Chapters 18-19
Mr. Frank Churchill did not come...
33 min
10
Emma: Chapters 16-17
The hair was curled, and the maid sent away, and Emma sat down to think and be miserable.—It was a wretched business indeed!
22 min
11
Emma: Chapters 14-15
Some change of countenance was necessary for each gentleman as they walked into Mrs. Weston's drawing-room...
38 min
12
Emma: Chapters 12-13
Mr. Knightley was to dine with them—rather against the inclination of Mr. Woodhouse, who did not like that any one should share with him in Isabella's first day...
40 min
13
Emma: Chapters 10-11
Though now the middle of December, there had yet been no weather to prevent the young ladies from tolerably regular exercise; and on the morrow, Emma had a charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family, who lived a little way out of Highbury...
32 min
14
Emma: Chapter 9
Mr. Knightley might quarrel with her, but Emma could not quarrel with herself. He was so much displeased, that it was longer than usual before he came to Hartfield again; and when they did meet, his grave looks shewed that she was not forgiven...
32 min
15
Emma: Chapters 7-8
Harriet had been at Hartfield, as usual... she returned, and sooner than had been talked of, and with an agitated, hurried look, announcing something extraordinary to have happened which she was longing to tell...
43 min
16
Emma: Chapters 5-6
"I do not know what your opinion may be, Mrs. Weston," said Mr. Knightley, "of this great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith, but I think it a bad thing."
31 min
17
Emma: Chapters 3-4
Mr. Woodhouse was fond of society in his own way...
36 min
18
Emma: Chapters 1-2
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her...
35 min
19
Bonus Episode: Lucy Shuttleworth
Join Alison as she interviews Lucy Shuttleworth (screenwriter, creative writing professor, and avid Jane Austen fan)
43 min
20
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 59-61
Elizabeth tells Jane of her conversation with Darcy. At first Jane is surprised - she didn’t think Lizzie liked Mr. Darcy at all - but then overjoyed that her sister will be married to him. Darcy asks Mr. Bennett for Elizabeth’s hand. Mr. Bennett is also surprised at this news - as he too thinks Lizzie does not like the man, but Elizabeth assures him she does and that this is what she wants. Elizabeth also tells her father it was Darcy who paid Wickham. Her father is delighted that he does not have to pay back his brother-in-law.
37 min
21
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 57-58
Mr. Collins writes to Mr. Bennett after hearing rumors of Elizabeth’s engagement to Darcy. Mr. Collins warns them not to go against Lady Catherine’s wishes to have Darcy marry her own daughter. Mr. Bennett shows the letter to Lizzie and laughs at the idea of her marrying Darcy.
28 min
22
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 55-56
Bingley calls upon the Bennet family again. Mrs. Bennett is up to her old tricks and keeps trying to leave Bingley and Jane alone together - calling her daughters out of the room. At first, it's to no success but then Elizabeth finds Jane and Bingley speaking closely. He has proposed marriage. Elizabeth is happy for her sister. But, she is also happy Bingley did not tell Jane that it was Darcy who tried to dissuade him of the romance originally. Lady Catherine makes a surprise call on the Bennet family. She and Elizabeth take a walk where Lady Catherine demands to know if she is engaged to Darcy - a rumor she heard despite Darcy being betrothed to her own daughter. Elizabeth denies this. Lady Catherine continues to make digs on how ridiculous it would be with the Bennett family being so low status - it would ruin Darcy’s reputation and alienate him from family and friends. Elizabeth stands up for herself.
34 min
23
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 53-54
Bingley and Darcy arrive in Netherfield. After Mr. Bennet refuses to call upon the men, they visit Longbourn on their own accord. Mrs. Bennett is very excited to have Bingley there and raises her hopes of having Jane courted. Mrs. Bennet is more rude to Darcy, to Lizzie’s embarrassment as she now knows it was Darcy who saved the Bennett family. Bingley and Darcy are invited to dinner. Bingley sits next to Jane but Darcy sits on the other end of the table from Elizabeth so they are unable to speak to one another. Elizabeth is now terribly in love with Darcy and wishes he’d propose to her again.
30 min
24
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 51-52
Lydia and Wickham visit Longbourn. Lydia is in a new bride state of bliss - oblivious to any trouble she has caused, bragging, and getting anyone she can to call her Mrs. Wickham. Elizabeth observes that Wickham does in fact return affection for Lydia. When regaling the details of her wedding to Elizabeth, Lydia lets it slip that Darcy was in attendance. She immediately apologizes - saying she was meant to keep that bit a secret. Wanting to know more, Elizabeth writes to her aunt for more information. Mrs. Gadiner’s return letter confirms Lizzie’s fear and hope that Mr. Darcy was the one to find the couple and then paid Wickham the large sum of money, but asked Mr. Gardiner to take credit. Darcy claims it’s because he feels guilty for not speaking of Wickham’s manners sooner, but Mrs. Gardiner thinks there is another reason as well, then makes note of how lovely a man Darcy is.
33 min
25
Pride and Prejudice: Chapter 49-50
Mr. Gardiner writes to the Bennetts to say he has found Lydia and she and Wickham are to be wed - provided that Mr. Bennett pay them a small income every year. The Bennetts suspect that their uncle has already paid Wickham a great deal more. Mrs. Bennett is overjoyed, but Mr. Bennett refuses to welcome his daughter into their home. Lydia and Wickham are married in London. Wickham has left the militia and joined a new regiment in Northern England. Before they move, Lydia and Wickham are invited to stay at Longbourn (after much debate via Mr. Bennett).
30 min