Wives and Daughters Audiobook By Elizabeth Gaskell cover art

Wives and Daughters

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Wives and Daughters

By: Elizabeth Gaskell
Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
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When her father remarries, the honest, innocent Molly Gibson suddenly finds herself with a new stepsister, Cynthia, who is beautiful, worldly and impetuous. This would be more than enough to deal with, but the new wife is the deeply snobbish (and darkly secretive) Hyacinth. Thwarted love, scheming ambition and small-town gossip underlie the warmth, irony and brilliant social observation which link the relationships and the inevitable conflicts as profound change comes to rural England.

The most mature and rewarding of her novels, Wives and Daughters places Elizabeth Gaskell in the first rank of English authors.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2003 Elizabeth Gaskell (P)2010 Naxos Audiobooks Classics European World Literature Marriage

Editorial reviews

The eternal theme of thwarted love and scheming ambition is set in the microcosm of a provincial British village. Narrator Patience Tomlinson possesses an astonishing vocal range - from the high pitches of youth to the gruff basses of elderly gentlemen. Her portrayals of the novel's many characters and dialects are distinctive, making all the characters identifiable in terms of their age, gender, and station. Replete with nineteenth-century social values and hierarchies, Gaskell's important work follows the life of Molly Gibson. Tomlinson's expressiveness keeps the listener spellbound.
Brilliant Characterization • Absorbing Storyline • Emotional Depth • Masterful Writing • Compelling Heroine

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I really enjoyed the story. The reader had a great range for all the men and women's voices. I was less than enthused with her Lady Comner and Dr. Gibson. I thought the former's speech impediment went in and out and the latter's Scottish brogue was too faint for American ears. All in all beautifully read and acted. I especially enjoyed Squire Hamily of Hamily. Very well realized. Lots of passion.

Lovely Story

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Love it and couldn't wait each night to listen! Better than watching the movie. The great detail was wonderful!

Wonderful Story

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Patience Tomlinson superbly read this book. Sometimes I wondered that it wasn’t more than one person reading. It couldn’t have been more delightful to listen.

Excellent Narration

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Sad to hear she died before she finished the book but it was magnificent book

Loved

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Patience Tomlinson’s performance was excellent. The sample doesn’t give her abilities justice. E. Gaskell was an amazing talent for her time. Her characters are so real and perfectly imperfect. She masters many personalities and their relationships with one another so well.

Sooooo good

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