Cecilia: Memoirs of an Heiress
Gelesen von LibriVox Volunteers
Frances Burney
(3,505 Sterne; 93 Bewertungen)
The plot of Cecilia revolves around the heroine, Cecilia Beverley, whose inheritance from her uncle comes with the stipulation that she find a husband who will accept her name. This proves impossible, and she gives up her fortune to marry for love.
Jane Austen referred to Cecilia and other novels in her novel, Northanger Abbey: “'And what are you reading, Miss — ?' 'Oh! It is only a novel!' replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. 'It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda'; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best–chosen language. The title of Austen's Pride and Prejudice may have been inspired by a passage at the end of Cecilia: “remember: if to pride and prejudice you owe your miseries, so wonderfully is good and evil balanced, that to pride and prejudice you will also owe their termination.” (Summary adapted from Wikipedia by Karen Merline) (35 hr 49 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
Great Book, Terrible Reading
KC
(1 Sterne)
I really appreciate the readers making it through this fantastic book, but must acknowledge their renditions were terrible. Punctuation is often disregarded, tone often does not match the events being read, and at times the reader is almost impossible to understand. I made through to the end and appreciate the readers for making an audio version accessible but would love to see another version of this book with better readers.
Duncalino
(2,5 Sterne)
With all due respect, Valli should not be a reader especially the PRINCIPAL reader of a long popular novel with mass appeal. There are many books in the public domain and so why not give less imposing reading assignments to well meaning volunteers who are not up to par because of foreign accent, poor pronunciation due to small vocabulary, monotonous reading tone, over the top dramatic interpretation etc. I had to download the book so that I could skip Valli's many chapters and keep up with the story.
Very Long and Very Poor Reading
Dragonflyer
(2 Sterne)
This might be a good book but it is very long, almost 1000 pages and some of the reading is so very, very poor. Many chapters are read without pauses for punctuation and transitions from one character to another and with many mispronounced words, poor command of the English language, and read at the pace and style of someone just learning to read. Accordingly, I would skip this one.
Cecilia memoirs of an heiress, The truth will never change.
Sania
(4,5 Sterne)
This is a wonderful book with very charming characters and vivid description of every situation. The story is not just about romance, its also about benevolence, generosity, friendship and most important it teaches a good lesson about patience and prudence. People might not be what they show and one should not judge a book by its cover's. Last of all we all should be convinced and unyielding of what we know to be the truth.
Good book, but the readers
WareforCoin
(3 Sterne)
I loved the book, but bless their hearts they did their best, the readers were distractingly bad at some chapters. This book needs revisiting with different readers in the future. If you can tough it out at some points, you'll enjoy the book. Just give it some patience.
(3 Sterne)
Although I appreciate volunteer readers, it's important that they read English & understand punctuation, tone, & pronunciation. It would be great if many of the chapters were redone. One reader, Vali, was nearly unintelligible. I feel that I missed parts of the book, due to the poor, painful reading.
Excellent book, 1-2 terrible orators
JL
(2,5 Sterne)
I loved this book but I had to purchase the book and have it read by siri rather than listen to Valli one of the readers. Her rendition is truly terrible and should be redone by someone who speaks English.
poorly read
tidbitliz
(1 Sterne)
Very poorly read. Agree completely with the other review. Could not make it past the second chapter. I was very interested in book because of the jane Austin connections. Perhaps another reader could tackle this book to bring the magic to life.