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)

Great reading of a classic

This has been a favorite book of mine for many years, and this audio version just makes it even better. Juliet Stevenson is fabulous.

Simply beautiful

I have seen the BBC tv version of this book few years ago and now had the opportunity to listen to the original text. Juliet Stevenson did amazing job here, I couldn't stop listen to the story. She made every character alive, used different tone and accent. So far the best audiobook I have listened.

Delightful

I decided to read this after watching the mini series of North and South. I was in no way disappointed, completely enjoyed it!

Juliet Stevenson is an amazing artist!

We listened to this as a school assignment. It is good to know a classic like this, and Juliet Stevenson amazed us with her dialects and acting. Top notch!

one of my favorites

I love this book and the adaptation of it. it's a wonderful story that girl can relate to on some level even today.

Excellent.

Strong women. Sensitive men. extreme fluctuation in narrator's volume made her hard to hear at times..

refreshing, emotionally insightful,

I really enjoyed it, thought provoking, well wtitten and performed. The narrorator had great voices and expression.

Fantastic

I sometimes have a hard time with audiobooks. But, the reader brought this book to life!

Watched the show with my wife

This book is not my cup of tea, I listened to it because my wife loved the show. I am actively trying to take interest in her passions. I have listened to 4 of the Jane Austin books and I hated every second except for maybe some of Emma. This book is different, a breath of fresh air. This book has a decent plot and likeable characters. When your used to Austin books, this one is 100% better and bingeable. I cant tell u how much this book is better the Jane Austin!

One of my favorites

When ever I reread this novel, I would feel like it’s my first, and I would fall in love with it again and again