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North and South
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
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North and South
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Summary
Exclusively from Audible
Written at the request of Charles Dickens, North and South is a book about rebellion; it poses fundamental questions about the nature of social authority and obedience. Gaskell expertly blends individual feeling with social concern, and her heroine, Margaret Hale, is one of the most original creations of Victorian literature.
When Margaret Hale's father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience she is forced to leave her comfortable home in the tranquil countryside of Hampshire and move with her family to the fictional industrial town of Milton in the north of England. Though at first disgusted by her new surroundings, she witnesses the brutality wrought by the Industrial Revolution and becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of the local mill workers. Sympathetic to the poor she makes friends among them and develops a fervent sense of social justice. She clashes with the mill-owner and self-made man, John Thornton, who is contemptuous of his workers. However, their fierce opposition masks a deeper attraction.
Gaskell based her depiction of Milton on Manchester, where she lived as the wife of a Unitarian minister. She was an accomplished writer, much of her work published in Charles Dickens' magazine Household Words including North and South which was originally published as a serial. She was also friends with Charlotte Brontë and after her death, her father, Patrick Brontë, chose Gaskell to write The Life of Charlotte Brontë.
Narrator Biography
Whether she's up on stage, behind the microphone or in front of the camera, Juliet Stevenson never fails to charm her audience...whoever they may be. Acting roles in Truly, Madly Deeply, Emma, Bend It like Beckham and Mona Lisa Smile have cemented her status as one of the great British actresses of our time. Meanwhile, her popular performances of hits such as Apple Tree Yard, the book that was turned into a TV series that people just couldn't stop talking about, have earned her an overwhelming amount of well-deserved praise for her spoken word talents.
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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
- 13-12-18
A joy to listen to
Fabulous characters and use of the English language . Beautifully and masterfully read ! A magical read .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 14-12-18
North and South
Beautifully read and an engrossing story. For those who like Mrs Gaskell this audio book is a de!ight.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SjpP
- 12-01-19
Brilliant in every way
Amazing 18 hours + of sheer enjoyment.
Julie Stevenson's performance is masterly. My only regret is that it remained in my library for so long before I started to listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Honest Dude
- 12-12-17
Excellent Classic book
Would you consider the audio edition of North and South to be better than the print version?
I never read the print version of the book. I only listened to the audio version of the book and it was brilliant. Juliet Stevenson did a very good job of narrating this work - she had a voice for each character in the book.
What was one of the most memorable moments of North and South?
the ending
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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
- Farniboy
- 14-08-16
As relevant today as it was when it was written.
Would you listen to North and South again? Why?
Definitely. Juliet Stephenson's reading of this and Gaskell's Mary Barton are quite simply stunning.
What other book might you compare North and South to, and why?
Any of Dickens, Bronte, Eliot etc. Strong heroines in bleak surroundings, finding their place in the world, supported by an interesting cast of secondary characters.and an unrequited love story too.
Have you listened to any of Juliet Stevenson’s other performances? How does this one compare?
She is wonderful. The range of voices and accents is remarkable.
Any additional comments?
This book iss is as relevant today, as when it was written 150 years ago. Like then, today is an age of unrest where people are unsure of their place in society, they feel their livelihoods are threatened . Where there is an underclass of people struggling to get by. A great listen.
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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
- D
- 12-02-18
Absolutely excellent
This book is one of the best I have ever listened to. The issues raised are still relevant today, the divide between North and South, capitalism versus socialism , the value of religion. All woven through a story of loss and love. Juliet Stevenson' s narration is so good, I agree with another reviewer five stars is not enough to do justice.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hepwood Flutey
- 05-08-15
A Victorian Version of Pride and Prejudice
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
At about 16 hours there was no way to listen to this in one sitting! But it was compelling.
Any additional comments?
As the headline suggests, this is widely seen as a Victorian version of Pride and Prejudice - but with a big dollop of gritty reality that Jane Austen would have shuddered at (I think). There is grime, poverty and even - gulp - deaths (yes, plural). Mrs Gaskell famously didn't like the ending - and I do wish she had done a revision! So if it doesn't satisfy, there is always the 2004 BBC adaptation of North and South. I am glad that I had seen this TV version of it, though certain characters are quite different in the book (such as Bessie Higgins), and I confess that I like what the TV version did with pretty much everything, but this is not a review of the film... This is a classic, and Juliet Stephenson does a marvellous job of narration - as she has in all the audiobooks I've heard her read. So I would recommend this - all 16 hours of it!!
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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
- Anonymous User
- 07-08-18
Amazing narration!.
Super narration. Loved this one!. Couldn't stop listening untill Margaret realised she loved Thornton then couldn't stop listening waiting for Thornton to realise Margaret loved him. The personality of each character was really bought alive by Juliet Stevenson.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Barbara Perry
- 16-03-22
An amazing listen
Wonderful book so beautifully read by Juliet Stevenson. I never wanted it to end. A joy to listen to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- L Faulkner
- 29-12-21
Love this version
Loved this version. Transports me into another place. Juliet helps this story become part of the fabric of the day.
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