North and South

I loved the BBC dramatization and decided to give the audiobook a go. It's an amazing book. Much more than a love story, it gives a contrasting picture of two Victorian worlds: upper middle class London and the working class North. Gaskell creates complex, believable characters and raises questions about social inequity in the Industrial Revoluation. A wonderful listening experience.

Fans of Jane Austen, Dickens or George Eliot will enjoy this story. Mr. Thornton isn't Mr. Darcy - but he comes pretty close. Once you get used to the annoying falsetto simpering voice the reader uses for Margaret Hale and the unusual intonation he uses for chapter headings, the story makes you forget the shortcomings of the narration.

I enjoy reading old novels such as this, as it always gives an interesting perspective on what life was like - more than a simple history textbook can do. And this novel is no exception. Gaskell's writing delves really into the thought processes of her characters. Occasionally this piece can be a little too melodramatic for my tastes, but that does come with the territory of being a 19th C social novel. Overall, I highly enjoyed the work and would recommend it to anyone how enjoys this genre.

My only negative comment is that the narrator is - more often than not - too dragging to enjoy getting into the work. He specializes is reading classic literature (as I surmise from his list of credits) but his need to emphasize every word or sentence is quite draggy and often made me tune out his monotonous voice. I felt that he captured the essence of the older characters such as Mr. Hale or Mr. Bell; but his other characters did not have the right kind of energy for me. Be wary of this reader, unless you prefer long, drawn out readings and a performance that often did not feel like it lived up to the author's intended conveyance of her words.

Also, on a technical note about the reader, I felt that during long passages of dialog, the characters' voices were not consistent. This is my opinion - as one who deals with sound professionally - so please take or leave this criticism.

I really wanted to like this novel: Pride and Prejudice tries to meet Shirley in George Eliot's England, but Gaskell isn't Austen or a Bronte or Eliot. Worse--the narrator (who must otherwise be competent since he's credited with 96 books on this site) reads the text as if it's Dr. Seuss.

If you're running out of 19th century novels and must download this, at least get the Nadia May vesion. I think her narration (or any woman's voice) would draw less attention to the novel's flaws.

I still give it three stars - I'm not sure why!

Have listened to a lot of audiobooks but, while I know some listeners really enjoyed it, I am afraid I too couldn't get past the style and voice of the reader. His over-articulated words seems so ponderous and really very dreary (same for A Christmas Carol) I have set it aside and will read it on paper instead. Look forward to Anton Lessor, Simon Prebble, Simon Vance or Mandy Weston reading this!!!

I finished this book, but there were times when I really was tempted to stop. It was an interesting tale, but the main problem with the recording is the reader. I had listened a bit before I bought, but the part I heard was a male voice, the problem was when the reader had to use a female voice. I was really relieved when one character died so that I didn't have to hear him speak for her anymore. A reader really can make or break a book, and I would say this reader almost ruined a classic.

North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell's exploration of the cultures of the north and south of England in the late 19th century is still fresh, if somewhat poorly served by a well enunciated if lack-luster reading.

I started this book on a long drive and I tried I really tried. On/off quite a few times, but I just could not get past the narration. Margaret sounds like she's got a cold and I just could not go on. So I have bought this audible book but am never likely to enjoy it as others here who have persevered with the narrator. I just couldn't bear it even though I really wanted to. I look forward another version with another narrator.

i LIKED THE SETTINGS

PROBABLY NOT

NO...THERE WAS NO ENDING! i FELT LIKE I WAS MISSING A TAPE.

DISAPPOINTING!

At first I was a bit put off that the story was narrated by a man, even though it is definitely a story about a woman. Overall though, the narration was quite good.

Not really. It was okay, but I would first recommend Portrait of a Lady or Anna Karenina

Okay .

Possibly.

Not the best classic I've listened to. It took a while to get into the story. Overall it was an average story. The best part is that Gaskell brought to view the woman's point of view at that time iin history. Her writing was probably quite cutting edge for her time.