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THE ASPERN PAPERS, one of Henry James best known shorter works, is based on a story he heard about a collector of Shelley's manuscripts who attempted to acquire valuable letters from a mysterious old woman living in Florence.
Set in Venice, James's elegant tale of suspense and romance is delivered with refinement and insight taking the listener down the canals and inner chambers of a bygone era.
Jonathan Epstein performed many leading roles spanning Broadway, London’s Young Vic and Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Boston’s American Repertory Theatre (where he received an Otis Skinner Award for Outstanding Boston Actor). At Berkshire Theatre Festival he appeared as Salieri in Eric Hill’s acclaimed production of Amadeus as well as playing David Hare in Via Dolorosa. In The Berkshire Theatre Festivals' last season he palyed Dr. Frank Bryant in Educating Rita and Murphy in One Flew Over The Cookoo’s Nest.
"When I listen to Jonathan Epstein read the Aspern Papers, it's clear that he has one of the few great Shakespearean-quality voices of our generation, as well as the brains and talent to carry off the lyrical quality of Henry James. Mr. James would be immensely gratified to hear this CD." - Susan Arbetter Host/Producer of WAMC/NPR
"Epstein's voice fits well with the text...his reading,full of grace and understatement, brings out James's artful portrayal of these characters and puts his perfectly crafted prose in high relief." -AudioFile
"Sounding a little like a slightly less British Anthony Hopkins, Epstein has the perfect voice to relate this first-person tale of scholarly romance and mystery set in early twentieth-century Venice." - Berkshire Living Magazine
Download this product to your iPod or mp3 player!Unabridged
3 CDs
Approx. 3.5 hrs.
Reviews from Audible.com
"The reader of this book has a slightly slow and drawling style that, in my opinion, perfectly fits the story. Beautifully done."
"Excellent reading of a James masterpiece."
"Here is Henry James with a little jewel of a story set in Venice. The narrator reads as if he were of the period and the story is told perfectly, with that touch of bemused irony. I enjoyed the audio immensely. Well done."
