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Wives and Daughters

By: Elizabeth Gaskell
Narrated by: Prunella Scales
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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. 

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Wives and Daughters

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb characterisation by a first class reader

At first I thought Prunella Scales' relatively low-key reading a little dull, but as I Iistened my way through this lengthy classic I came to hear that she has it brilliantly right: a more hyped-up reading would have grown impossibly tiring. Her characterisations of the wearisome Mrs Gibson, the overbearing countess, Cynthia, the Squire and others are spot on, with never a doubt about what each is thinking and feeling behind their words. She even overcame the only drawback of the book - that Molly and Roger are so spotlessly white, and their relationship so lacking in tension, that I have always found it difficult to take a full interest in whether or not they come together.

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 28-09-13

Very enjoyable.

Where does Wives and Daughters rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best books I have listened to recently.

What did you like best about this story?

The simplicity of the story and I Gaskells ability to make you feel like you are in the room with the characters made this a charming book.

What does Prunella Scales bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Prunella Scales was the ideal narrator. I read some reviews which say she gabbled too quickly some of the characters. I have to disagree here she brought to life these characters in the way she portrayed them.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book induces all manner of feelings, Gaskell has a way of endearing all the characters to you. Even those you assume when first introduced to them that you won't like. Mrs Gibson for instance I found I developed an unexpected sympathy for.

Any additional comments?

The ending is abrupt as Elizabeth Gaskell died before the last chapter. However the story is really told by then and the summary ending given by her editor is what you already expect. It is a shame she never finished this book, however it is a great work and has certainly challenged Jane Austin in my affection.

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Just brilliant

A fabulous listen. Prunella Scales' depiction of each of the characters is brilliant. I loved it.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wives and Daughters

I am a big fan of the BBC TV dramatization of Wives and Daughters anyway, but this reading excelled all expectation. I imagine that the success of good narration is allowing the listener to become absorbed in the story and not be distracted by the reading itself, and Prunella Scales completely achieved this. Thank you for hours of extremely enjoyable listening.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb Value

This is a book I'd never 'read' much as I might like to think I would, but it is so long and so much of it is exactly the sort of prose I'd skim or skip if I was reading it myself. However, read to me by Prunella Scales, it was just superb.

The lengthy passages of internal dialogue from Molly (and others) were never dull, even the lists of often very boring activities, meals, visits and so on were all brought vividly to life.

I think the combination of Prunella Scales reading EG's often very witty, sly and funny prose is just perfect. The story is exactly what the title indicates - a tale of the relationships between and around the wives and daughters of the main family. Characters are sympathetically drawn, faults and all, but never meanly portrayed. Even the 'baddies' are given some redeeming qualities, and faults and foibles are noted, but often lovingly described.

I absolutely loved it and I hope you do too. Keep listening past the opening rather slow first hour or so, and gradually you will be lost in this beautiful, clever and simple book.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wives and Daughters

This is a great story with wonderfully conceived characters. It is seldom an audible book matches the enjoyment of a paper copy but Prunella Scales reading of this novel is masterly and draws the listener in.
Ann W.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

another world

I enjoyed being transported back into another era. The reader captured the voices so well. I had not read the book before and found it very interesting as an evocation of another era.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • P
  • 06-04-09

A pleasure

A very enjoyable audio book. Skillfully read by Prunella Scales only to be faulted in that occasionally she delivers some of the dialogue rather quickly. Her reading is responsive to the affect of the text and distinguishes well the differing characters. It is a long book which also makes it a treat to listen to. Recommeded.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Most enjoyable

An excellent book - beautifully written and witty with memorable characters. The enjoyment is enhanced by the memorable reading of Prunella Scales.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • AC
  • 03-04-15

A warmhearted tale, well read!

I love this story and Prunella Scales is an excellent narrator. Recommended for long winter evenings by the fire side!

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5 people found this helpful