Vera

by Elizabeth von Arnim Narrated by LibriVox Community

Overview

Vera (1921) by Elizabeth von Arnim is a black comedy based on her disastrous second marriage to Earl Russell: a mordant analysis of the romantic delusions through which wives acquiesce in husbands' tyrannies. In outline the story of this utterly unromantic novel anticipates DuMaurier's Rebecca. Naive Lucy Entwhistle is swept into marriage by widower, Everard Wemyss. His mansion "The Willows" is pervaded by the spectre of his dead wife Vera, with whom Lucy becomes obsessed. ... Here the servants are partisan for both wives, and lose no opportunity to disrupt Everard's unctuous, oppressive household routines. An extraordinarily black vision of marriage, also continuously funny, the novel's power lies in the wit and economy of the usually prolix Von Arnim.(Introduction by Wikipedia)

Editorial Reviews

MARCH 2023 - AudioFile

Similarities to Daphne du Maurier's classic novel REBECCA are noticeable in this audiobook, and the suspense is capably delivered by narrator Lucy Scott. Lucy Entwhistle has just lost her father, and widowed businessman Everard Wemyss observes the young woman's hardship at the same time that he is trying to escape his own. The ensuing May-December romance unfolds discreetly, thanks to Scott's subtle delivery of irony and humor. Before listeners know it, Scott has led them into a story of mystery and unease, power and intimidation, and the audiobook becomes impossible to turn off. There are times when characters become a bit exaggerated, with voices nearing the edges of credibility, but the overall effect of Scott's performance is solid. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2023 - AudioFile

Similarities to Daphne du Maurier's classic novel REBECCA are noticeable in this audiobook, and the suspense is capably delivered by narrator Lucy Scott. Lucy Entwhistle has just lost her father, and widowed businessman Everard Wemyss observes the young woman's hardship at the same time that he is trying to escape his own. The ensuing May-December romance unfolds discreetly, thanks to Scott's subtle delivery of irony and humor. Before listeners know it, Scott has led them into a story of mystery and unease, power and intimidation, and the audiobook becomes impossible to turn off. There are times when characters become a bit exaggerated, with voices nearing the edges of credibility, but the overall effect of Scott's performance is solid. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169129953
Publisher:	LibriVox
Publication date:	08/25/2014

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