Cecilia: Memoirs of an Heiress


Lu par LibriVox Volunteers

(3.6 stars; 111 reviews)

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)

Chapitres

Book I Chapter 01: A Journey 13:18 Lu par Nikki Sullivan
Book I Chapter 02: An Argument 24:05 Lu par Nikki Sullivan
Book I Chapter 03: An Arrival 17:56 Lu par Nikki Sullivan
Book I Chapter 04: A Sketch of High Life 19:23 Lu par Nikki Sullivan
Book I Chapter 05: An Assembly 25:39 Lu par Nikki Sullivan
Book I Chapter 06: A Breakfast 14:10 Lu par Nikki Sullivan
Book I Chapter 07: A Project 18:44 Lu par Nikki Sullivan
Book I Chapter 08: An Opera Rehearsal 21:01 Lu par Missie
Book I Chapter 09: A Supplication 18:00 Lu par Missie
Book I Chapter 10: A Provocation 10:34 Lu par Missie
Book I Chapter 11: A Narration 14:03 Lu par Missie
Book II Chapter 01: A Man of Wealth 10:47 Lu par Chris Jones
Book II Chaper 02: A Man of Family 13:10 Lu par Samantha Di Piero
Book II Chapter 03, Pt. 1: A Masquerade 25:38 Lu par kristiface
Book II Chapter 03, Pt. 2: A Masquerade 26:04 Lu par Dawn
Book II Chaper 04: An Affray 28:04 Lu par Dawn
Book II Chapter 05: A Fashionable Friend 17:06 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book II Chapter 06: A Family Party 19:14 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book II Chapter 07: An Examination 21:05 Lu par valli
Book II Chapter 08: A Tete-a-Tete 11:19 Lu par valli
Book III Chapter 01: An Application 18:45 Lu par Janna
Book III Chapter 02: A Perplexity 11:59 Lu par Janna
Book III Chapter 03: An Admonition 21:45 Lu par Janna
Book III Chapter 04: An Evasion 13:46 Lu par valli
Book III Chapter 05: An Adventure 21:00 Lu par Dawn
Book III Chapter 06: A Man of Genius 29:12 Lu par Dawn
Book III Chapter 07: An Expedient 11:24 Lu par valli
Book III Chapter 08: A Remonstrance 10:52 Lu par Christine Blachford
Book III Chapter 09: A Victory 17:05 Lu par Christine Blachford
Book IV Chapter 01: A Complaint 12:29 Lu par Lucy Burgoyne (1950-2014)
Book IV Chapter 02: A Sympathy 12:40 Lu par Lucy Burgoyne (1950-2014)
Book IV Chapter 03: A Conflict 16:23 Lu par Lucy Burgoyne (1950-2014)
Book IV Chapter 04: An Expectation 13:32 Lu par valli
Book IV Chapter 05: An Agitation 21:18 Lu par Janna
Book IV Chapter 06, Pt. 1: A Man of the Ton 19:25 Lu par Janna
Book IV Chapter 06, Pt. 2: A Man of the Ton 23:29 Lu par Janna
Book IV Chapter 07: A Reproof 15:32 Lu par Janna
Book IV Chapter 08: A Mistake 8:56 Lu par Janna
Book IV Chapter 09: An Explanation 15:07 Lu par Janna
Book IV Chapter 10: A Murmuring 14:59 Lu par Janna
Book V Chapter 01: A Rout 33:55 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book V Chapter 02: A Broad Hint 11:26 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book V Chapter 03: An Accomodation 10:18 Lu par Bereni
Book V Chapter 04: A Detection 12:51 Lu par Bereni
Book V Chapter 05: A Sarcasm 13:49 Lu par Bereni
Book V Chapter 06: A Surmise 8:38 Lu par Bereni
Book V Chapter 07: A Bold Stroke 17:24 Lu par MorganScorpion
Book V Chapter 08: A Miser's Mansion 7:14 Lu par Ezwa
Book V Chapter 09: A Declaration 11:32 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book V Chapter 10: A Gamer's Conscience 14:07 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book V Chapter 11: A Persecution 21:04 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book V Chapter 12, Pt. 1: A Man of Business 27:10 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book V Chapter 12, Pt. 2: A Man of Business 23:23 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book V Chapter 13: A Solution 32:58 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book VI Chapter 01: A Debate 23:51 Lu par MorganScorpion
Book VI Chapter 02: A Railing 11:29 Lu par MorganScorpion
Book VI Chapter 03: An Antique Mansion 19:13 Lu par valli
Book VI Chapter 04: A Rattle 15:25 Lu par MorganScorpion
Book VI Chapter 05: A Storm 13:52 Lu par MorganScorpion
Book VI Chapter 06: A Mystery 20:47 Lu par MorganScorpion
Book VI Chapter 07: An Anecdote 15:23 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book VI Chapter 08: A Conference 17:03 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book VI Chapter 09: An Attack 26:30 Lu par Amanda Hindman
Book VI Chapter 10: A Retreat 12:51 Lu par Dawn
Book VI Chapter 11: A Worry 17:12 Lu par Linda McDaniel
Book VII Chapter 01: A Renovation 19:01 Lu par Bridget Gaige
Book VII Chapter 02: A Visit 18:25 Lu par Bereni
Book VII Chapter 03: An Incident 16:28 Lu par Bereni
Book VII Chapter 04: A Proposition 20:16 Lu par Raerity
Book VII Chapter 05: A Letter 21:30 Lu par Linda Lee Paquet
Book VII Chapter 06: A Discussion 21:22 Lu par Linda Lee Paquet
Book VII Chapter 07: A Retrospection 27:02 Lu par Linda Lee Paquet
Book VII Chapter 08: An Embarassment 9:10 Lu par Edith Phern
Book VII Chapter 09: A Torment 48:21 Lu par Bereni
Book VIII Chapter 01: An Interruption 28:28 Lu par Julie VW
Book VIII Chapter 02: An Event 25:17 Lu par Julie VW
Book VIII Chapter 03: A Consternation 22:14 Lu par Michelle Crandall
Book VIII Chapter 04: A Perturbation 29:33 Lu par Bereni
Book VIII Chapter 05: A Cottage 29:44 Lu par Bereni
Book VIII Chapter 06: A Contest 37:09 Lu par Dawn
Book VIII Chapter 07: A Message 18:27 Lu par Michelle Crandall
Book VIII Chapter 08: A Parting 20:41 Lu par valli
Book VIII Chapter 09: A Tale 40:06 Lu par valli
Book VIII Chapter 10: A Shock 11:45 Lu par valli
Book IX Chapter 01: A Cogitation 20:57 Lu par valli
Book IX Chapter 02: A Surprize 29:48 Lu par valli
Book IX Chapter 03: A Confabulation 30:29 Lu par valli
Book IX Chapter 04, Pt. 1: A Wrangling 32:51 Lu par valli
Book IX Chapter 04, Pt. 2: A Wrangling 23:56 Lu par Bereni
Book IX Chapter 05: A Suspicion 21:58 Lu par Michelle Crandall
Book IX Chapter 06: A Disturbance 41:17 Lu par Bereni
Book IX Chapter 07: A Calm 16:24 Lu par Bridget Gaige
Book IX Chapter 08: An Alarm 28:06 Lu par Bridget Gaige
Book IX Chapter 09: A Suspense 16:07 Lu par Raerity
Book IX Chapter 10: A Relation 21:04 Lu par Raerity
Book IX Chapter 11: An Enterprise 16:00 Lu par Becca B
Book X Chapter 01: A Discovery 10:56 Lu par Neeru Iyer
Book X Chapter 02: An Interview 29:48 Lu par Sarah Prusoff
Book X Chapter 03: A Summons 13:39 Lu par Frances Marcinkiewicz
Book X Chapter 04: A Deliberation 19:44 Lu par Frances Marcinkiewicz
Book X Chapter 05: A Decision 22:53 Lu par Frances Marcinkiewicz
Book X Chapter 06: A Prating 28:41 Lu par Dawn
Book X Chapter 07: A Pursuit 21:23 Lu par Bereni
Book X Chapter 08: An Encounter 24:08 Lu par valli
Book X Chapter 09: A Tribute 24:27 Lu par valli
Book X Chapter 10, Pt. 1: A Termination 26:45 Lu par Michelle Crandall
Book X Chapter 10, Pt. 2: A Termination 24:56 Lu par Michelle Crandall

Critiques

Duncalino


(2.5 stars)

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.

Great Book, Terrible Reading


(1 stars)

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.

Very Long and Very Poor Reading


(2 stars)

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.


(4.5 stars)

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.

Slow but good


(3 stars)

There were a few times when I was concerned. "Would they?", or "wouldn't they?" kept me on my toes. I felt the story did take a very long time to get to the point. it was a nice listen while I worked. I didn't really have to pay attention. And could pick up where I left off. this is the second book by this author I have listened to.

Good book, but the readers


(3 stars)

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 stars)

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


(2.5 stars)

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.