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Wives and Daughters
- Narrated by: Prunella Scales
- Length: 25 hrs and 21 mins
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Wives and Daughters
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Publisher's Summary
Exclusively from Audible
Molly Gibson, the only daughter of a widowed doctor in the small provincial town of Hollingford, lost her mother when she was a child. Her father remarries wanting to give Molly the woman's presence he feels she lacks. To Molly, any stepmother would have been a shock, but the new Mrs. Gibson is a self-absorbed, petty widow, and Molly's unhappiness is compounded by the realisation that her father has come to regret his second marriage.
Although Molly resents her stepmother, she befriends her new step-sister, Cynthia, who is loveable, but worldly and troubling. The audiobook chronicles their maturation into womanhood within the confines of the gossiping and watchful society of Hollingford.
As Molly matures and falls in love she learns to judge people for what they are, not what they seem. Through Molly, the social values and changes of early 19th-century England are brought to life in this timeless representation of human relationships. The audiobook is more than just a nostalgic story of village life, it offers an ironic critique of mid-Victorian society.
Known as her last, longest, and perhaps finest work, it was not quite complete when Gaskell died suddenly in 1865. The last section was written by Frederick Greenwood.
Narrator Biography
Prunella Scales is a classically trained stage actress but is best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty in the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) and for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (1991) for which she was nominated a BAFTA. Her film appearances have included Stiff Upper Lips (1997), Howard's End (1992), and Wolf (1994). She was awarded the CBE for her services to drama in 1992 and the Patricia Rothermere Award for her contributions to British Theatre in 2001. More recent appearances have included the mini-series The Shell Seekers (2006), a production of Carrie's War at the Apollo Theatre (2009), Horrid Henry: The Movie (2013) and a guest appearance in the popular BBC radio comedy Cabin Pressure (2013). Julian Barnes' The Lemon Table and Anne Fine's Charm School are among the many audiobooks Prunella Scales has narrated.
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What listeners say about Wives and Daughters
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DM
- 2021-08-01
Brilliant Story and Performance
Mrs. Gaskell was such a talented author. I return to her works very often and recommend her stories to all!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SusanQQ
- 2021-05-12
Beautiful writing
This is my second Elizabeth Gaskell read. The writing is smart and beautiful. If you are wanting action and intrigue this book will not be for you. It is about life and people. The characters, their feelings and situations are relevant today. I am finding reading Ms. Gaskell's books somewhat soothing during today's turmoil, when people acted towards each other with more kindness and civility. There was more connection amongst people sans electronics. I enjoyed stepping back in time and discovering that the hopes and dreams of people then are similar to now. The narration was so well done. Bravo.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gillian
- 2023-09-21
Masterful storytelling
A lot beautifully drawn picture of society of all classes in a small English country town. The characters are so exquisitely drawn that they take on a realism beyond the page. The narrator does a superb job of bringing them fully to life. This is a book I look forward to listening to again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Juliana Mongia
- 2022-05-31
excellent story very well narrated!
can't say enough good about this book and the performance! a true delight from beginning to end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2022-04-25
Such a lovely experience!
The story starts up slow, but then it is quite captivating. There's a lot of characters introduced in the beginning which is a bit confusing, but then it settles down and becomes a lot easier to follow.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- polka7532
- 2022-04-12
Wonderful narration
One of the best Victorian writers, Elizabeth Gaskell never disappoints. But what was a big surprise was the fantastic narration by Prunella Scales. I have listened to many audiobooks but the narration of Wives and Daughters was the best I have ever heard. Somehow Prunella Scales managed to find just the right balance between a performance and a narration. I was really in awe for the entire book 25+ hours.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sally Macrae
- 2021-12-09
excellent book
the narrator did a fantastic job. i absolutely loved every minute of listening. highly recommend.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Christine Surina
- 2021-11-10
The Feel of Jane Austen !!
Very much enjoyed the book with its JaneAusten feel about it… performance was outstanding. Story line excellent .. So as to not ruin it, the ending was unexpected/ disappointing but well worth the read … great book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- gentlereader
- 2021-10-07
Tales of a Victorian blended family
A charming and thoughtful story of the antics of Dr Gibson's new wife and step daughter and how his own daughter, Molly, must adjust. Just as relevant and entertaining today as when first published, this book is funny and sad and interesting - and Mrs Gaskell illustrates many important ideas along the way. Be sure to enjoy the gorgeous BBC mini series after you finish the book. Enjoy!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Leah Blain
- 2020-10-21
Wonderful!
I have listened to many audio books and Prunella Scales is one of the best I have ever heard. The story is wonderful and she certainly captured the many characters in a masterful way.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jo
- 2010-05-24
Superb! Story and Narration A++
A committed Jane Austen fan, I first discovered Mrs Gaskell through BBC mini-series adaptations of her books whilst casting around for something similar to Jane.
The story itself is wonderfully written with characters that shine. There is subtly of character, humor, and character that you will love and love to hate.
But what really sets this one apart is Prunella Scales' absolutely superb narration, which the sample does not do justice to. She is able to read the male and female characters, upper and middle class accents, and local dialect accents wonderfully. I am English myself, and was so impressed by her range and accuracy. I shall certainly be looking out for more books read by Ms Scales -- bravo!
So if you are a fan of light but subtle, well-written period drama's (this is set in a country town in Victorian England) a la Jane Austen, give this a try - you won't be disappointed.
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67 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Sherwood
- 2008-02-06
Delightful Listen
If you're in the mood for a delightful listen about Victorian, England, I definitely recommend this. It was entertaining and fun and light. Prunella Scales is probably the best reader of any book I've listened to. She moves from person to person so easily that you glide along with her and she never sounds forced.
I was disappointed when I read in some reviews that she died before she could finish the book, but the ending is there just not in her voice which of course would have been preferrable but did not spoil it for me.
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29 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Amy
- 2007-03-12
Wonderful Read
This is a wonderful novel and I highly recommend it. The writing style of Elizabeth Gaskell is quite captivating and enjoyable. I had seen the film adaptation on A&E and it was so well done I felt compelled to read the novel that had been adapted to film. Time constraints have led me to audible.com and this version was very well done. The narrator does a splendid job with the novel. I would listen to other works she has narrated and I will definitely read more by Elizabeth Gaskell.
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20 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- connie
- 2008-02-04
Best Gaskell novel
Even though Gaskell died leaving the last chapter up to the reader's imagination (Does it have a usual Austen-like happy ending, or, maybe since the set-up resembles a bit <i>Villette</i>, a more ambiguous ending, one in keeping with Gaskell's admiration for Charlotte Bronte?)- this is still an excellent read for fans or 19th century novels. Perhaps the lack of a trite final chapter adds to the read.
It's more social and character satire (think Gaskell's <i> Cranford</i> than "social problem" novel (think her <i>North and South</i>). Unlike Austen, though, Gaskell overdoes the satire sometimes. There are still some protofeminist elements (Molly has a developing inner life that she sees being stifled by societal conventions!) but they seem to wane as the novel goes on. The prose and structure still aren't Austen or Bronte qaulity, but I found the novel smoother than earlier Gaskell (perhaps the excellent narration helped too).
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15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Liz
- 2007-11-26
Superb narration
It is Prunella Scales' narration which brings this novel alive. Each character has an immediately identifiable voice. As a previous reviewer remarked, she illuminates the novel in a way you couldn't do in reading it yourself.
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15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Sandra
- 2007-05-17
Excellent!
I really enjoyed Wives and Daughters. Prunella Scales did a wonderful job reading the story. I certainly recommend 'listening' to this edition of this classic story.
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13 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Alicia Czechowski
- 2009-06-12
The very best of Gaskell
I have listened to "Wives and Daughters" twice and it was even better on second listen. All the characters are well drawn, but Cynthia steals the show; busily breaking hearts while her selfishly obtuse mother works little miseries upon all who are nearest and dearest.
This is one of Mrs. Gaskell's most humorous books with a flavor of Jane Austen.
The reader does full justice to "Wives and Daughters" and brings all the characters to life.
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12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Reader
- 2010-06-07
Wonderful book
A little slow at the beginning, gets better and better with time. Characters very well developed, was sad to part with them at the end.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- sassysra
- 2007-03-09
Fantastic
I will definitely be listeningto another work of this author. I chose it because I enjoyed the BBC drama production of it so much. I was really put at first because that the book is unfinished (the author died before writing the last chapter), but the narrative summing up the book by a magazine editor of the time was wonderful and very appropriate. I would say a much read if you enjoy Victorian novels and even if you don't.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- K. Mathews
- 2008-06-15
Great Fun
I loved this book. It is the first EG book that I have read or listened to. But I am a fan now. I wish that she had been able to finish it.
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5 people found this helpful