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)

Brilliant writing and narration

Juliet Stevenson is one of the best; I can listen to her all day.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s social commentary is as appropriate today as it was 166 years ago. Her view point about the lives of working men and women is forward thinking and perceptive. I loved this book.

One of the Finest Stories…….

Words cannot describe the beauty and grace of this story, written with sublime passion and depth of feeling.

Good for Jane Austen withdrawal

I recently was on a Jane Austen kick. Once finished, I began looking for a similar author. Elizabeth Gaskell was a good choice. I can't say "North and South" was as good as any of Austen's works but I enjoyed it. Juliet Stevenson is everything. She could read the phonebook, if we still had phonebooks.
There is a good story, lots of conversation and relationship confusion (as seems to happen in this genre and time period.) but there is also a bit (small bit) of historical value regarding changes brought on by the industrial revolution. Good story.

Superb

An absorbing story, performed with nuance and feeling. Juliet Stevenson a masterful reader. Highly recommended.

Why haven’t I read this until now!

If you love Austen novels you’ll love it, narrated so well 👌, totally worth it. The bbc tv series is great too 👌👌

Great listening

Juliet Stevenson brings these characters to life with a deft hand. I found myself renewing the sleep timer time and again. She is a master reader. Amazing.

Excellent book, excellent narrator performance!

An engaging book from the first sentence to the end. Lovely story. And by far my favorite audiobook performance from Juliet Stevenson. Amazing tone, timing, inflection, actions of the characters. Beautifully read and performed.

Stevenson just gets better and better

She really is the premier narrator for any type of story really but especially British literature from the Victorian age. She ably commands all the different voices in this story in such a believable fashion. It's always a joy to listen to her narrate my favorite type of literature. She is a one woman extravaganza

AMAZING

Fabulous story and wonderful / perfect narration!!! Yes yes yes. I absolutely loved this book! A must read classic.

Absolute Genius

Phenomenal story-telling [and performance by the Reader] that discusses history, morality, class warfare, and love (familial, human, Godly, and marital). Absolute favorite novel of all time.

A Reader