Jane Austen discussion

Hey people, not sure I'm posting this in the right folder, I've just listened (and re-read some excerpts) of Sense and Sensibility after stumbling on the book soundtrack (https://youtu.be/ZacogVetvEo). I really loved it (and for anyone who's interested, I suggest you give it a go, it's lovely) and was wondering if anyone knew of a similar project with other books by Austen like Pride and Prejudice or Northanger Abbey?
I would love to hear from you :)

Mel, hi - when you say 'soundtrack' do you mean the soundtrack from a film or TV version of S and S, or an audio reading of the novel itself?

If the latter, I'm sure there are lots of those for all of Austen's work - whether they are free to listen to or download I don't know. She is well out of copyright, of course, but I suspect the person reading the novel out loud on the recording would like to get paid, unless it was truly a labour of love! (Or, of course, it might not be in copyright any longer anyway.)

The voice of the audio book is so important I think - a voice that grates would make it impossible to listen to. Sometimes it's very distinctive, like Stephen Fry reading all the Harry Potter books out loud for the audio versions!

I don't think, being British myself, I could cope with Jane Austen being read out loud by a non-English-accented person!! Though it might be an interesting experience of course!

Hi, well no it's not an audiobook, it's just original music (as in not from a film nor from TV) an original book soundtrack (first time I'm hearing about this, but I really like the idea) that's supposed to go along with your (silent) reading

As for what you've said regarding audiobook voices, I agree: the actor is super important (and I really enjoyed Fry's audiobooks, with all the voices he created...)

Gosh, interesting idea! To read a book silently, off the page (or screen) but to hear what I assume would be designed to be 'appropriate' music to accompany it. Rather intriguing. I think many of us do that informally, eg, read a book with a music station playing or whatever.

Is what you are describing for S&S designed to be music 'of the time' the novel is set particularly? I would surmise, myself, that, say, reading Jane Austen to, for example Stravinsky (or, shudders, rap!) would be somehow very 'wrong'!!!

We do indeed do that rather often I think. For S&S (at least in my opinion) you feel that the composer really read the book and actually thought this through, as if it were a movie soundtrack. I think it is meant for specific chapters or purple passages in mind. If you are at all interested, the name of the composer is Obé Jenkins.

I think they call it "bookscores" and the idea is really good I think.

Yes, I agree. And rather fun for the composer/compiler. Thank you for the name as well.