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)

Psst...I think he likes you!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book with the exception of the really dry and overly sentimental middle section that deals with unions. There is an obvious sympathy for the poor working folks of the town, which is great in a Victorian novel, but comes across with a little sentimentalizing that feels unrealistic, especially when compared to the great Dickens.

Thornton's yearning was charming. So many near misses and misunderstandings! His mother really got on my nerves.

The narrator is fantastic. I've listened to her readings of other books and find her most enjoyable. I'm officially impressed!

GOOD WAY TO "READ" BOOK CLUB CHOICE

Narrator Juliet Stevenson really brought to life Elizabeth Gaskell's social commentary on agrarian versus industrial England just as unions began to emerge in the north. This book was selected by our book club and I know hearing this reading made the book more memorable.

Reads like a Jane Austen novel--with trains.

Where does North and South rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'd rank this novel in the top ten. I'll be looking for other books by the author.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I admired Margaret although her reticence and scruples made her slow to express her feelings.

Have you listened to any of Juliet Stevenson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I recall, but her voice and delivery suited the text, and the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A sensitive and intelligent woman lives the changes brought about by England's move into the industrial age.

Any additional comments?

I just "cheated" by reading an online biography of Gaskell. I'm astounded that I had never heard of this prolific Victorian writer--admired by Dickens and by critics then and now. Her descriptions are beautiful, and her characters "real." She wrote "Cranford" which was made into a BBC series with Judy Dench.

Wonderful story and reader

Narrator did such an amazing job with the voices! Will be looking for more books read by her!

Exceptional book, didn't want to stop listening! If you like Jane Austen, you will love Elizabeth Gaskell!

Long, good story

I really enjoyed this book a lot. However, I feel like it's one of those books that barely counts as a romance because the "couple" hardly talks AT ALL.

So SO good!

This is one of my favorite stories, and Juliet Stevenson narrated it so well! Her use of different accents and voices was just enough to help keep the characters separate, but not so much as to become cheesy. I didn’t want to stop listening and was sad when it ended.

Lovely story

I’m really glad I got to hear the full story. The book is always much better than the movie!

Simply wonderful!

This is the first book I have ever heard of by Elizabeth Gaskell. I am so glad I gave it a try. Such a great character development and wonderful writing. You will feel like you are transported back in time. Juliet Stevenson most wonderful job as the narrator, with the different accents and bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves old classics.

Perfect

A beautiful story that is predictable yet, so compelling and told with such restrain. The characters are written not as cut-outs but as how actual people are; nuanced. What a perfect glimpse into a time begotten.

Superb

Ms. Gaskell is a modern day Jane Austen! I found North and South to be equally brilliant as Pride and Prejudice.
Juliet Stevenson’s narration was superb! Perhaps the best narration I’ve listened to on Audible.