Jane and Prudence cover art

Jane and Prudence

Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Jane and Prudence

Written by: Barbara Pym
Narrated by: Maggie Mash
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $23.25

Buy Now for $23.25

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

INTRODUCED BY JILLY COOPER

'I'm a huge fan of Barbara Pym' RICHARD OSMAN

'I devoured all her books, but Jane and Prudence remains my favourite' JILLY COOPER

'Barbara Pym is the rarest of treasures; she reminds us of the heartbreaking silliness of everyday life' ANNE TYLER

If Jane Cleveland and Prudence Bates seem an unlikely pair to be walking together at an Oxford reunion, neither of them is aware of it. They couldn't be more different: Jane is a rather incompetent vicar's wife, who always looks as if she is about to feed the chickens, while Prudence, a pristine hothouse flower, has the most unsuitable affairs. With the move to a rural parish, Jane is determined to find her friend the perfect man. She learns, though, that matchmaking has as many pitfalls as housewifery.

'This comedy of manners is a salutary reminder of just how good Barbara Pym was . . . This book is a gem' THE TIMES©1953 Barbara Pym (P)2011 Hachette Digital
Classics Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Funny

What listeners say about Jane and Prudence

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cartoonish reading

A really good book, but the reading is annoying. Every character is voiced as an exaggerated caricature.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bizarre Narration

This is an excellent novel, but the narration is very disappointing. Dialogue is delivered with such drama that every character appears bizarre. It’s odd that when not reading dialogue, the narrator has a voice, with a natural rhythm, emphasis and speed. I don’t understand why the dialogue had to be so wholly unnatural. It spoiled the book for me and I returned it and will try to listen to Mary Sarah’s version, although that also has very negative reviews. Such a noted writer as Barbara Pym deserves the same quality narrators as Jane Austen, Anthony Trollope, and so many other great British writers.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!