Cranford

By: Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by: Prunella Scales

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

A vivid and affectionate portrait of the residents of an English country town in the mid-19th century, Cranford describes a community dominated by its independent and refined women, relating the adventures of Miss Matty and Miss Deborah, two middle-aged spinster sisters striving to live with dignity in reduced circumstances.

Through a series of satirical vignettes, Gaskell sympathetically portrays changing small town customs and values in mid-Victorian England, in a community governed by old-fashioned habits and dominated by friendships between women. Her wry account of rural life is undercut, however, by tragedy: with such troubling events as Matty's bankruptcy, the death of Captain Brown and the unwitting cruelty of Peter Jenkyns.

Gaskell was an accomplished writer who had many of her stories published in Charles Dickens' magazine Household Words. She was also friends with Charlotte Brontë and after her death, her father, Patrick Brontë, chose Gaskell to write The Life of Charlotte Brontë.

Narrator Biography

Prunella Scales is a classically trained stage actress but is best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) and for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (1991), for which she was nominated for a BAFTA.

Her film appearances have included Stiff Upper Lips (1997), Howards End (1992) and Wolf (1994). She was awarded the CBE for her services to drama in 1992 and the Patricia Rothermere Award for her contributions to British Theatre in 2001. More recent appearances have included the mini-series The Shell Seekers (2006), a production of Carrie's War at the Apollo Theatre (2009) and Horrid Henry: The Movie (2013).

Julian Barnes’ The Lemon Table and Anne Fine’s Charm School are among the many audiobooks Prunella Scales has narrated.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

An absolute delight !

Such a wonderful little story ! It might be said that nothing much happens, and if you are looking for plot-driven entertainments, you won't find it here. This is a story about the ladies ( and a few men ) of Cranford, in a time and society that are in the past. This lovely story celebrates the kindness and goodness of people, even as it also sees the humor in the eccentricities of its characters. If you enjoy the world of Jane Austen, this comes very close. And, perfect narration !

Slow but beautiful

This is a slow moving novel that beautifully portrays life in a Victorian small town, where delicacy is the order of the day despite poverty. It isn't tragic, but there is a sense of gentle sadness about the stifled lives of the ladies of Cranford and their lost chances.

Delightful

A charming glimpse at a world long past, beautifully read. I highly recommend it to any lover of Victorian literature.

Wonderful Story

Wonderful story, funny and sweet! I love Miss Mattie! Narrator, Prunella Scales has done an excellent job! The movie “Cranford” is a treat. I will read anything by Elizabeth Gaskell. She is right up there with Jane Austen imho.

my cup of tea

An old-fashioned, charming comedy of manners. Some reviewers have found the story to be slow; I call it relaxing. Beautifully narrated. (I did have to slow down to 80% speed.)

Absolutely wonderful

Prunella Scales is truly the perfect reader and this book is full of gentle satire and warmth. A balm for the mind in December 2021.

Enjoyable listen

The narrator is wonderful. I have read the story before, but the author gives a good voice to the ladies, especially Miss Mattie and Miss Pole.

Delightful!

What a lovely feel good story and expertly read. Bravo! In these difficult times it is comforting to read how women come together to support one another.

Excellent

A delightful must listen! Highly recommend for anyone who loves Elizabeth Gaskell. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

One of my go-to listens!

I love this book! Its a series of vignettes of the lives of women in Cranford. I first decided to listen to this when they announced that it was coming to masterpiece classic, and while i thoroughly enjoyed the show, the book is so much better. Even after so many listens, I still crack up at the antics of some of the characters. Prunella Scales does a wonderful narration and Mrs Gaskell does a great job making the everyday lives of Victiorian women entertaining. I would recommend this to those who enjoy the novels of Georgette Heyer and are looking for something similar yet different.