The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin

The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin

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.

Episodes

May 11, 2023 1 min
Let us whisk you away to Jane Austen’s England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 23, 2023 33 mins
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 ...
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May 30, 2023 39 mins
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 ...
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June 6, 2023 30 mins
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 a...
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June 13, 2023 31 mins
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 ...
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June 20, 2023 29 mins
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...
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June 27, 2023 39 mins
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 atten...
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July 4, 2023 49 mins
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 ...
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July 11, 2023 30 mins
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....
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July 18, 2023 41 mins
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...
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July 25, 2023 33 mins
Join Alison as she interviews several Austen fans, a costumier, Gill Hornby, and Sam Keele in honor of Jane Austen Regency Week. The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin is a Realm production. Listen away. For more shows like this, visit Realm.fm, and sign up for our newsletter while you're there! Listen to this episode ad-free by joining Realm Unlimited or Realm+ on Apple Podcasts. Subscribers also get early access and exclu...
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August 1, 2023 28 mins
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...
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August 8, 2023 28 mins
Mrs. Gardiner has noticed a connection between Elizabeth and Wickham. She warns Elizabeth that he won’t be a good match due to his lack of money. Elizabeth ensures this won’t become an issue, as there is not enough love between the two yet.  Charlotte and Collins wed. With Charlotte moving away, Elizabeth promises she will visit her in time.  After some time in London without hearing from Caroline, Jane calls upon her. Caroline i...
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August 15, 2023 30 mins
Elizabeth and Charlotte’s family arrive at the Collins’ home. The next day, Elizabeth and Mariah spot Lady de Bourgh’s daughter, Anne, from a window. They observe how thin, sickly, and plain she looks - the idea that Darcy would have such an unattractive wife pleases Elizabeth. The group is invited to dinner at Lady de Bourgh’s manor. While at dinner, Lady Catherine dominates the conversation - pushing her own ideas about class an...
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August 22, 2023 32 mins
Sir William Lucas departs, but Elizabeth and Mariah remain guests of Charlotte. Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, call upon Lady de Bourgh and suddenly Elizabeth finds herself spending more time with Darcy. But it’s Fitzwilliam who takes a liking to Elizabeth as the two talk about books and music. Lady Catherine inserts herself into their conversation - constantly critiquing how women should practice music and criticizing ...
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August 29, 2023 30 mins
Elizabeth continues on her walks in the countryside, but is constantly surprised by Darcy. He insists on spending time with her, even though their talks are not very stimulating. Elizabeth predicts he is measuring her as a potential match for Fitzwilliam. One day, Fitzwilliam surprises Elizabeth on her walk instead. Fitzwilliam brings up the topic of marriage - stating because he is a younger son, he must consider a woman’s wealth ...
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September 5, 2023 37 mins
Darcy hands Elizabeth a letter. Within the letter is Darcy’s explanation for everything. He again admits that he withdrew Bingley from Jane. But, he did so because he was worried for his friend - a lovesick Romeo in this case - and didn’t think Jane’s affection was as strong as Bingley’s and that she may be taking advantage of the situation. Darcy also doesn’t approve of the Bennett family as a suitable match for Bingley to marry i...
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September 12, 2023 31 mins
Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam leave Rosings. After they’re gone, the group goes to dinner again at Lady Catherine’s, but Elizabeth is distracted - constantly thinking of the letter. She decides she respects Darcy.  Elizabeth and Mariah ready themselves to depart as well. Lady Catherine asks them to stay another two weeks, but Elizabeth insists she must go home to Longbourn. Before she leaves, Elizabeth has a conversation with Mr. ...
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September 19, 2023 44 mins
Elizabeth tells Jane of Darcy’s proposal and letter - leaving out the bits on Bingley and focusing on Wickham’s true character. She asks Jane if she should expose Wickham to their mutuals, but ultimately they decide against it, as Darcy didn’t expose the matter to anyone himself.  Colonel Foster’s wife extends an invitation to Lydia to spend the summer with them in Brighton. Elizabeth asks Mr. Bennett to not allow Lydia to go, wor...
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