North and South

By: Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Written at the request of Charles Dickens, North and South is a book about rebellion; it poses fundamental questions about the nature of social authority and obedience. Gaskell expertly blends individual feeling with social concern, and her heroine, Margaret Hale, is one of the most original creations of Victorian literature.

When Margaret Hale's father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience she is forced to leave her comfortable home in the tranquil countryside of Hampshire and move with her family to the fictional industrial town of Milton in the north of England. Though at first disgusted by her new surroundings, she witnesses the brutality wrought by the Industrial Revolution and becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of the local mill workers. Sympathetic to the poor she makes friends among them and develops a fervent sense of social justice. She clashes with the mill-owner and self-made man, John Thornton, who is contemptuous of his workers. However, their fierce opposition masks a deeper attraction.

Gaskell based her depiction of Milton on Manchester, where she lived as the wife of a Unitarian minister. She was an accomplished writer, much of her work published in Charles Dickens' magazine Household Words including North and South which was originally published as a serial. 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

Whether she's up on stage, behind the microphone or in front of the camera, Juliet Stevenson never fails to charm her audience...whoever they may be. Acting roles in Truly, Madly Deeply, Emma, Bend It like Beckham and Mona Lisa Smile have cemented her status as one of the great British actresses of our time. Meanwhile, her popular performances of hits such as Apple Tree Yard, the book that was turned into a TV series that people just couldn't stop talking about, have earned her an overwhelming amount of well-deserved praise for her spoken word talents.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[An] admirable story...full of character and power." (Charles Dickens)

Loved Juliet Stevenson's Reading

This has always been one of my favorite stories. I loved the reading by Juliet Stevenson.

Narrator

Amazing narration. Compelling story, as are all Elizabeth Gaskell stories. This was one of the best.

Volume Change

The narrator's volume would drop, making it difficult to hear in noisy environments. For example: I was frying chicken and trying to listen at the same time, whenever the narrator spoke in a lower tone I could no longer comprehend what she was saying.

Excellent romance

Long drawn out misunderstandings in love. Very much like Pride and Prejudice. That there were more Margaret's today.

Enjoyable

Despite having been written many years ago this novel touches on subjects and concerns that are ageless.

Enjoyably frustrating novel

Great narration, with lots of turns, very good story but the end leaves me wanting more.

Classic romance with deep lessons

So many good life lessons wrapped into this story of love. It’s a classic and I listen to it at least once every year or so. It’s one of those stories I play on repeat.

Pride and prejudice in the industrial age

Wonderful character development in a well described historical backdrop that includes the rise of the labor movement in England while telling a classic story of love through misunderstandings.

Presentation of a complete delicious world

So much is said so beautifully about every aspect of life. The workers, the classes, Victorian mores. Read perfectly. I felt I was wholly immersed in a wonderful world, I loved being in.
Highly recommended.

Reminds me of Jane Austen

I just finished all the Jane Austen books and needed more of that kind of book. So glad I found this. The story is pretty slow paced but doesn’t feel slow and long you just feel like you are living life with everyone.
The narrator did a wonderful job, really enjoyed it.