Wives and Daughters

By: Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by: Josephine Bailey

Length: 26 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel, is regarded by many as her masterpiece. Molly Gibson is the daughter of the doctor in the small provincial town of Hollingford. Her widowed father marries a second time to give Molly the woman's presence he feels she lacks, but until the arrival of Cynthia, her dazzling stepsister, Molly finds her situation hard to accept. Intertwined with the story of the Gibsons is that of Squire Hamley and his two sons. As Molly grows up and falls in love, she learns to judge people for what they are, not what they seem. Through Molly's observations the hierarchies, social values, and social changes of early-19th-century English life are made vivid in a novel that is timeless in its representation of human relationships.

Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor

Fantastic

Starts a bit slow but picks up after a few chapters. By the end, I was 100% hooked it was so good. Such a shame the author died right before finishing it. Would have become wildly popular if she had.

Timeless

The performance of this wonderful book is flawless and mesmerizing. Gaskell's skill at drawing the details and sharing the heart of daily village life makes this touching story of love, family and coming of age a classic, worthy of savouring. A must "read".

If you love Jane Austin, read this

What made the experience of listening to Wives and Daughters the most enjoyable?

If you are a fan of Jane Austin or of wonderful readers, this is the book for you. Josephine Bailey, the narrator, brought each of the characters to life creating multiple drive-way moments. Loved it.

This is a great book

I loved this book. The nuances and character developement as well as the authors insight into human nature. Josephine Bailey reads the novel with perfection. I think she is one of the absolutely BEST narrators out there!

Marvelous Characters

Each character is so real, they don't always act as expected, and romances that appear so inevitable are not.
The characters exist in a time and place foreign to a modern reader. That world is made familiar by building up layers of sights, sounds, scents we all know.
Its a well crafted novel, starts a bit slowly compared to newer literature. But if you just sit back, relax, and sink into the story you will be rewarded.

Not one of my favourites

True sorrow for the loss of a great author. Unfortunate timing of her demise.

That being said I did not find this to be one of my favourites. There were points that seemed to drag on. Also the complete unacknowledged love. I feel even through this was a long time ago, females were not that stupid.

Unexpected delight

I’d never heard of this author but now will look to her other books mentioned in last chapter. She draws characters and scenes from the time that draw you in, quite completely. Narrator is excellent, will also look to other works she’s done.
Delightful journey.

Wonderful tale and very well read

Any extremely well read book of a beautifully told classic book. Wish it went on and told the story of Molly’s future.

A Beautifully Written Classic

The audio version of this well-written classic novel is a treat. Set in the first part of the 19th century in provincial England, the story is primarily that of a country doctor's young daughter as she grows into womanhood. The cast includes her father, stepmother, stepsister and various supporting characters. All are finely drawn. I can't remember if I ever read this when I was younger but, if so, I doubt I would have appreciated how well Gaskell captures human nature and the exquisitely ironic entanglements caused by gossip and assumption.

The narration is perfect.

the joy of reading

This is what had been missing in my reading life. I must have been living under a rock never to have read this author before. This book is rich, engaging, and real. I don't know how it came to be in my collection, but so very thankful. This book is to a reader what a seat in the middle of a crowded event is to a people watcher.