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.
51
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 24-25
Jane vows her heartbreak will mend in time - trying to believe that if Bingley’s departure was so easy for him, he must have never been in love at all. Elizabeth can’t stand hearing her sister say such things - she’s too good a person. Elizabeth is still dissatisfied with her friend Charlotte's decision to marry Collins. In the matter of the love - or lack thereof - around her, she is becoming dissatisfied with the idea of marriage overall. Mr. Bennett still feels confident his daughter could live a happy life - perhaps with Wickham? Though, Elizabeth fears he is too good for her. Mrs. Bennett’s brother, Mr. Gardiner, and his wife visit the family for Christmas. They recognize how unhappy Jane is and invite her to stay with them in London. Though it seems unlikely Bingley will call upon Jane, Elizabeth secretly hopes they will find each other again.
25 min
52
Bonus Episode: Regency Week
Join Alison as she interviews several Austen fans, a costumier, Gill Hornby, and Sam Keele in honor of Jane Austen Regency Week.
30 min
53
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 21-23
Mr. Collins and Charlotte become engaged. Charlotte is happy with Collins, as the marriage will offer her a comfortable life. Elizabeth is less happy for her friend, who thinks she is missing out on the happiness of love. Elizabeth sees Wickham again and introduces him to her parents. Jane receives a letter from Caroline Bingley informing her that their party has returned to town and will not be returning to Netherfield. The letter also implies that Bingley will soon be courting Darcy's sister, Georgina. Elizabeth tries to reassure her sister that she shouldn't give up on Bingley. But after not hearing from Bingley for some time, Elizabeth does begin to worry Jane may lose Bingley's love due to the society he keeps: Darcy, his sisters, and the city.
38 min
54
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 19-20
Mr. Collins proposes marriage to Elizabeth - though, not out of love but out of necessity and recommendation of his benefactor, Lady Catherine. Elizabeth refuses his offer. Mr. Collins believes this to be incorrect - as she won't get a better offer - and ensures he'll ask again. But Elizabeth holds strong, stating neither of them will be happy or suitable for one another. Mrs. Bennett is furious at Elizabeth's rejection of Collins. She asks Mr. Bennett to help convince Elizabeth on this being the best option for her. But Mr. Bennett denies his wife by telling Lizzie while her mother may not see her again if she were not to marry Collins, he would be the one not to see again her if she does. It's useless for after everything, Collins retracts his offer upon learning of Elizabeth's headstrongness.
28 min
55
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 17-18
When Elizabeth tells Jane of Mr. Wickham's claims, Jane is surprised to hear them and cannot believe Darcy would be so cruel - he is, afterall, good friends with Bingley. The girls receive an invitation to a ball at Netherfield. Elizabeth looks forward to dancing with Wickham but is disappointed to hear he will not attend the ball - she blames this on Darcy. Collins takes Elizabeth for the first two dances before she finds herself dancing with Darcy. They have an awkward conversation before they part. Caroline Bingley then approaches Elizabeth about Wickham - claiming Wickham is the one with horrible manners, not Darcy. Elizabeth cannot believe this! But Jane corroborates Caroline's story, saying Bingley believe's Darcy's side. Elizabeth is not convinced as Bingley does not know Wickham personally and is only hearing one side of the story. Mrs. Bennett speaks of Jane and Bingley's courtship as if they are already engaged. Her confidence in the manner embarrasses Elizabeth which is worsened when her sister Mary plays awful piano.
45 min
56
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 15-16
Mr. Collins admits to Mrs. Bennett that he plans to marry one of the girls, thus bringing peace over the inheritance drama. He had his sights set on Jane, but Mrs. Bennett, who is overjoyed at the prospect of her daughters getting engaged, guides Collins towards Elizabeth. Collins accompanies the girls into town where they meet Lydia's officer friend Mr. Denny and a charming new recruit: Mr. Wickham. The next night, the girls attend a dinner put on by their aunt, Mrs. Phillips, and convince her to invite Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth is charmed by Wickham. As they talk, she learns Wickham was the god son of Mr. Darcy's father and knows him well. When Mr. Darcy's father died, Wickham was to inherit some money but Darcy saw to it that he never received anything at all. Wickham claims Darcy and his sister are too proud - clearly showing a distaste for them both. Elizabeth also finds out that Lady Catherine is Mr. Darcy's aunt and Darcy is set to marry her invalid daughter.
36 min
57
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 12-14
Much to Mrs. Bennet's dismay, Jane and Elizabeth leave Netherfield. Elizabeth and Darcy are delighted to part, as Elizabeth is to finally return home and Darcy hopes to relieve some of his attraction to Lizzie. Upon arriving home, Mr. Bennett announces that the family will be receiving a relative for dinner: a Mr. Collins. Collins is set to inherit the estate upon Mr. Bennett's passing and would have the right to evict Mrs. Bennett and her daughters. This causes much distress for Mrs. Bennet but Collins ensures her he is there to make peace with the family. Collins is a clergyman, set up at a parish by a wealthy Lady Catherine de Bourgh. After dinner, Collins winces at the idea of reading a novel. Instead, he opts to read sermons to the girls only to be interrupted, thus ending his evening with a game of backgammon with Mr. Bennett.
26 min
58
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 10-11
Elizabeth spends another evening with the Bingleys and Darcy. Darcy and Elizabeth find themselves in another stimulating quarrel only to be stopped by Mr. Bingley. Darcy's attraction to Elizabeth grows to the point where he admits if it weren't for her class status, he would be in trouble of actually marrying her. Caroline notices this attraction and pushes harder to dissuade him from Elizabeth. She encourages Darcy to imagine him married to a Bennett, only to poke fun at how ridiculous their lineage would look intertwined. Thanks to Mrs. Bennett's visit the other day, this is not hard for Darcy to agree with. That evening, Jane, finally well, joins the group for dinner but their after dinner activities are lackluster. Caroline tries to gain the attention of Darcy, only to fall victim yet again to his playful tete-a-tete with Elizabeth.
29 min
59
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 8-9
Elizabeth spends the evening with the Bingleys and Darcy. The Bingley sisters make quiet comments on Elizabeth's muddied dress from the walk and on her family's lack of money, all of which make her an undesirable match. After dinner, the others play cards while Elizabeth opts to read. Caroline Bingley praises Darcy on the beauty of his library at Pemberley and the accomplishments of his sister. The group discusses what defines an accomplished woman and Elizabeth, after hearing the long list, is surprised that any woman should meet the status. The next morning, Mrs. Bennett and Lydia call to check on Jane. While Mrs. Bennett knows Jane's illness is not dire, she insists she stay at Netherfield with the Bingleys. Lydia reminds Mr. Bingley that he promised to throw a ball - which he will, when Jane recovers.
27 min
60
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 5-7
The Bennets meet with neighbors. Charlotte, the eldest daughter, is Elizabeth's closest friend. Everyone agrees Darcy is unlikable. Bingley's sisters come to visit the Bennets. Jane hides her feelings for Bingley. We find out that Mr. Bennett's property can only be inherited by a man. The youngest daughters Catherine and Lydia Visit their Aunt, Mrs. Phillips in Meryton. Jane is invited to visit the Bingley's, and Mrs. Bennet sends her on horseback knowing that it is going to rain and she will have to spend the night. Jane falls ill and has to stay in Netherfield, and Elizabeth is invited to stay as Jane's condition worsens. Darcy begins to like Elizabeth.
37 min
61
Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 1-4
We meet Charles Bingley, Mrs. Bennet sees this as an opportunity for one of her 5 daughters to marry well and insists Mr. Bennet arrange a meeting. He dismisses them, but secretly meets with Bingley and the women are ecstatic. Mr Bingley visits, and the Bennets invite him to dinner. He is called away to London, returns to Netherfield Park with his sisters, brother-in-law and friend, Darcy. They attend a ball in Meryton, where Jane dances with Bingley. Darcy offends Jane's sister, Elizabeth, when he is overheard saying she is "tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me."
32 min
62
Introducing Pride and Prejudice
We’re starting the show with none other than Jane Austen’s most famous novel, and perhaps the most famous love story ever told apart from Romeo and Juliet. This is Pride and Prejudice.
1 min
63
Welcome to The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison ...
Let us whisk you away to Jane Austen’s England.
1 min