Showing results by narrator "Flo Gibson" in All Categories

This powerful story of passion, adultery, honor, and repression caused a tremendous controversy in 1850 when it was published, because of its provocative subject matter. Set in Puritan New England, the novel begins with Hester Prynne, a young woman with an illegitimate baby daughter, leaving prison to face her scornful townsfolk. Forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" to remind people of her adultery, Hester obstinately holds her head high and refuses to reveal the father of her child.

When Mary Lennox is transplanted from India to England's Misselthwaite Manor, she is utterly miserable. She spends long, lonely hours hiking across the dark Yorkshire moors, or wandering through the gardens of the manor. Then, one afternoon, the wind blows aside a curtain of ivy to reveal the hidden entrance to a previously unknown garden. The secret place takes root in Mary's imagination and the friendless girl becomes determined to find a way into the garden.

Catherine Earnshaw's passionate statement reveals the core of Emily Bronte's tempestuous literary masterpiece. Meeting as children, Catherine and Heathcliff begin a relationship that grows into obsession as family, class, and fate work against them as much as their own jealous natures.

These are the valiant and lyrically descriptive letters, written in 1873, by Isabella Bird, a courageous and spirited Englishwoman, telling her sister of her adventures on horseback over 800 miles of American wilderness.

Many consider this rich social commentary to be Jane Austen's finest novel. It is certainly among her more famous ones. Austen sets her entertaining study of manners and misconceptions against the backdrop of a class-conscious society in 18th century England.

This is the story of the mystical travels of Diamond, a coachman's son, through distant lands and strange events while riding on the back of the beautiful North Wind.

In the 1880's, an American senator observes, with some perplexity, English country life and all of its social echelons. To add some spice along the way, we follow the romances and intrigues of the flirtatious Arabella Trefoil.

Set in Ireland, the upper-class courtship of Lord Ballantine for Fanny Windham and the lower-class romance between Martin Kelly and Ann Lynch meet with many obstacles. 

Anne Elliott foolishly let true love slip through her fingers when she allowed herself to be persuaded that the man she adored was an unacceptable candidate for marriage. Now, after years of carrying a torch, Anne finds herself confronted by the dashing Wentworth, newly returned from years at sea. In this, her final novel, Jane Austen savagely skewers the rigid social sensibilities of the day with brilliant satire.

The dreams, pranks, misfortunes, and courtships of the March girls form a charming family portrait.

At age 18, Jane Austen wrote this, her first novel. It is the story of the lives and loves of the two Dashwood sisters - the discreet and wise Elinor and the reckless, passionate Marianne - who pursue love and happiness around the pillars of genteel society.

Set in the 1870s, the same period as Wharton's The Age of Innocence, The Buccaneers is about five wealthy American girls denied entry into New York Society because their parents' money is too new. At the suggestion of their clever governess, the girls sail to London, where they marry lords, earls, and dukes who find their beauty charming—and their wealth extremely useful.

As she begins her career as a teacher, Anne's vivid imagination and her romanticism lead to a number of embarrassing as well as amusing episodes.

With humor and compassion we enter the world of a small seacoast village located in northern Maine, where courage and caring are beautifully exemplified.

The narrow escape of Eliza, the brutality of Simon Legree, the sweetness of little Eva and the kindness and faith of Uncle Tom are all part of this inspiring novel. This audiobook contributed significantly to the arousal of anti-slavery sentiment before the Civil War and helped to pave the way for civility and equal rights. Please be advised that this audiobook contains racial epithets of the period that may be offensive to some of today's listeners.

Jane Eyre, a young orphan, leads a lonely life at a boarding school until she's old enough to take a job as a governess for the wealthy and mysterious Mr. Rochester. Over time, she falls in love with her stern employer, but happiness still eludes her - even on her wedding day. What is the mad secret Rochester is hiding?

One of Jane Austen's most complex and mature works, Mansfield Park shows the writer at the top of her form, tackling the manners and customs of early 19th-century society with wit and irony that still resonate with readers two centuries after the book's initial publication. Flo Gibson's compelling narration gives perfect voice to the trials and tribulations of Fanny Price, sent at a young age to live with her rich relations.

Orphaned at 13, Rose goes to live with her Uncle Alec. Here she meets her seven spirited boy cousins with whom she has home-spun fun, many exciting adventures and in the process learns valuable lessons about life, love and friendship.

Lady Mason's trial for forgery and perjury shocks the neighborhood. A cast of unforgettable characters views her with disdain, compassion, and disbelief. And then there are the love stories....

While Mrs. Bennet pursues husbands for her daughters, the course of the courtship of the proud Darcy and Elizabeth never runs smoothly. The writing takes us on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that often accompanies a relationship in bloom.