Shirley

De: Charlotte Brontë

Narrado por: Anna Bentinck

Set in the industrialising England of the Napoleonic wars, a period of bad harvests, Luddite riots, and economic unrest, Shirley is the story of two contrasting heroines and the men they love. One is the shy Caroline Helstone, trapped in the oppressive atmosphere of a Yorkshire rectory, whose life represents the plight of single women in the 19th century. The other is the vivacious Shirley Keeldar, who inherits a local estate and whose wealth liberates her from convention.(P)2007 Isis Publishing Ltd.

My love of the Classics

I recently fell in love with classic novels (less than a year) & I have found Charlotte Bronte's novels superb. The use of descriptive language makes me realize how much we (as a society) have lost with the growth in technology. No one utilizes language in this imaginative manner anymore! Shirley is an excellent, heart-warming novel. It is the perfect companion to any task or hobby.

a better listen than read

This was proof to me of the value of audiobooks! I picked up my paperback of "Shirley" several times over the last 20 years but never got past the introductory chapters. As a listen, I very much enjoyed "Shirley" as a 19th century novel-romance and for the characters and the commentary on women's roles. I was disappointed in it as an "industrial novel," but I guess it's the best the experience a Bronte could furnish. I thought Gaskill's later "North-South" was a better example of that sub genre, but I do not find Gaskill's novels as satisfying a reading (or listening) experience.

Charlotte Bronte is my favorite

Charlotte Bronte is by far the most elaborate story teller. I love her so much. I started reading classics kinda late, and she's brought me into a whole world I long to explore very deeply. It feels like she's writing just for you

Anglophile favorite

Would you consider the audio edition of Shirley to be better than the print version?

Not necessarily

Would you recommend Shirley to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend Shirley to any who love the time period or the stories of British. I just returned from England and loved coming home and hearing the descriptions of the moors and the life of the English townpeople in their struggles during the British Industrial Revolution.

What about Anna Bentinck’s performance did you like?

Terrific reader that keeps one engaged in long descriptive parts.

Greenhagen

Shirley is a rich tale with depth of character and storyline!! I enjoyed every character and turn of events!! ❤️ Oh if language and sentences were structured as in the time of the Brontë sisters!! 🥰

Boring story

It was rather boring although the reading was quite good. It was boring then exciting than boring than exciting. I cannot wait for it to be over.

lots of wasted space

the author spends a lot of time on strange heresies, and ends too abruptly after things start to get interesting. great narration, however.

Best story I have listened to in years

I still can't believe this book has escaped me for nearly fifty years...it's now my favorite from Charlotte Bronte. For me, this story sort of has it all: great, sympathetic characters, many different story threads that come together beautifully, compelling protagonists, historical context, a bit of mystery, a bit of love story, terrific narration, and an excellent pace.

I look forward to listening to this again very soon.

Captivating window of time

This story takes into account a time in the life of a community. It is in the Brontë style of including upper and lower classes and how they are brought together. Each class is shown their pride and zeal for life as they toil daily to survive. There are many characters and taking a role in the community. The heroine is bold but it is nice to see the roles of men and women and how each affectionately respect the other. The hero is also bold, but made to rethink his station and purpose for himself and others. The language wonderfully displays the characters and their schemes. And it allows for a poetic play in words and morals.

Yawwwwwwnnnnn

Ill brave through most literature, but wow! This was just incredibly boring and trite. And the reader's clipped and sardonic whilst being saccharin sweet, style made it unbearable. Almost made it to the end, but then i said "life is too short and there are too many great books to suffer through this".