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Shirley

Written by: Charlotte Brontë
Narrated by: Georgina Sutton
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Publisher's Summary

Following the tremendous success of Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë returned to pen a novel every bit as romantic and compelling as her first, but with deeper, heartier themes as she captured the social and political currents of the newly industrialized United Kingdom of 1812. Set in a chaotic time in England, during the height of the Napoleonic Wars, Caroline Helstone's world is turned upside down when she meets the vivacious Shirley Keeldar. Shirley becomes a beacon of light for Caroline as the two become close friends. However, Caroline is soon shocked to discover that Shirley has won the affections of Robert Moore, the impoverished mill owner whom she loves. Fully representative of Yorkshire life at the time, Brontë's second novel is completely gripping, unrelenting and utterly wrenching in its portrayal.

Public Domain (P)2014 Naxos AudioBooks

What listeners say about Shirley

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Great, just not Jane Eyre

Despite a slow beginning, I knew a book by authored by Charlotte Brontë, who created my beloved Jane Eyre, would be worth the read (listen), and it was. Her sense of humour and observations still ring true & are relevant in today’s world.

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A challenging text, beautifully read

Shirley (#Audible1) is not an easy Bronte novel to love. The prose can be almost comically overwrought and there is an even heavier dose of religiosity than the average mid-Victorian novel usually offers. But it also has many of Bronte's strengths: a beautifully evoked sense of place, a surprisingly wicked satirical voice, and a passionate investment in the situations of a range of female characters. Georgina Sutton does an outstanding job of conveying the range of verbal styles and registers, makes even the purple passages clear and convincing, and modulates the narration beautifully. This is not easy listening, but it is worth the investment of time, patience, and attention. I would probably be happy listening to Ms. Sutton read the phone book.

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