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)

One of the best books I have ever read!!

This book is gripping all the way through! I have read and reread time and time again. Juliette Stevens does a phenomenal job reading and getting into the story.

Love, Love, Love this book.

I loved this book. Had seen the mjni-series and decided to read the book. Didn't want it to end.

Good, but drags in places.

I enjoyed parts of the story, but some of the talk of business dealings and other parts were too long and detailed.

loved it

beautiful writing. such a poignant story. loved it all. the love story was so touching. my 'squees' could only be interpreted by dolphins

A masterful performance of an excellent book

Juliet Stevens does a wonderful job with every character and every emotion in this masterwork by Gaskell.

Amazing narrator!

I absolutely loved the narrator of this book. Amazing talent!! As for the book itself, I was very disappointed in the ending. It all comes out all right, but the (spoiler alert) main couple doesn’t come together till the very last chapter. Not enough time to enjoy their lives together at all, from the perspective of the reader. Hopefully that makes sense.

Wonderful!!!

The writing is beautiful and Juliet Stephenson does an incredible job with the narration. Her accents for the various characters are perfect. I highly recommend it. I do picture the characters from the movie when listening, especially of Margaret and Mr. Thornton, even though the movie is a bit changed from the book. Richard Armitage will always be Mr. Thornton.

Gaskell was ahead of her time

A strong-willed woman who would live life in her own terms in Victorian England is always interesting and refreshing. Beautifully narrated story.

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.