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Shirley cover art

Shirley

By: Charlotte Brontë
Narrated by: Anna Bentinck
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Summary

Set in the industrialising England of the Napoleonic wars, a period of bad harvests, Luddite riots, and economic unrest, Shirley is the story of two contrasting heroines and the men they love. One is the shy Caroline Helstone, trapped in the oppressive atmosphere of a Yorkshire rectory, whose life represents the plight of single women in the 19th century. The other is the vivacious Shirley Keeldar, who inherits a local estate and whose wealth liberates her from convention.
(P)2007 Isis Publishing Ltd.

What listeners say about Shirley

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very nice to listen to

Well narrated. Bentinck captures the right tone and makes distinction between the characters by giving him or her a different voice and accent. I like this, because I do not get confused about who is speaking and it makes the novel more animated. In addition Bentincks (first person) narrative mode is pleasant, not nasal e.g.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The forgotten Bronte novel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Well forgotten by me anyway. I have recently been re-reading and listening to many of the better known 19th century novels and have really enjoyed them. Most recently I read and listened to Jane Eyre and then Villette which are both well known. However, Shirley meant little to me and I was pleased to find an audio edition available. Like both novels already mentioned Shirley deals with the plight of the poor 19th century woman through the character of Caroline Helstone (and her mother), but also the difficulties facing a rich one, Shirley, as well. It also comments on the behaviour of the clergy and the uprisings in the Yorkshire textile industry. The story held my attention and it was beautifully written. While none of the main protagonists really pleased me I did care about what came of them. When listening to the Tenant of Wildfell Hall I really wished I had downloaded the abridged edition but I didn't regret any of the time spent listening to this and importantly it was beautifully read.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Feisty Wish Fulfillment Beautifully Read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anna Bentinck reads superbly including accents.

I had forgotten what Shirley was like or maybe I have changed. Such a patchwork of romance, even arch comedy (had never heard "enthronisation" before); the cry of the unvalued governess and the wishfulfilng( for the author perhaps) drawn out Belgian love affairs; the feminism on one hand and the need to to be conquered; the tears, the suffering and oh the joy and fine profiles and complexions; with a bit of violent class conflict; industrial revolution and church commentary, and Lady Audley's secret made right, in such colourful and flighty language.

Jane Eyre this is not, but it is a fascinating, wandery jumble of things with two love stories, beautifully read.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Shirley deserves a read!

hard going initially but wonderful language and great feminist exploration. Yorkshire textile industry early days

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

I'm glad this was an audiobook

I wouldn't have finished this book if I had had to also read it. I was grateful for Anna Bentinck's narration which was beautifully done.

Charlotte Brontë lost Anne, Emily and Branwell while writing this novel. This sad fact leaves me wondering about how different the book would have been if that had not been the case. It felt in need of strong editing and honest feedback - would the other sisters have helped this happen? Or is it that too many painful events happened as it was written that re-reading, reflecting and self-editing the first draft was an overwhelming reminder of the heartache of each sibling's death and so it wasn't done as completely as needed? I felt 'Shirley' was messy and disjointed, inconsistent and long-winded, although there is a good deal of wonderfully observant, moving and at times funny material in the story too.

Glad to now know the story, but I am unlikely to return to it.

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3 people found this helpful

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

nice company

very nice company to keep this book is. unfortunately I don't speak French, so some things I didn't understand, but I don't think it affects the enjoyment of this book.
very lovely experience and an excellent story nicely read. thank you.

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3 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

perfect for Bronte Fans

What did you like most about Shirley?

the historical context-the northern countryside on the cusp of change and the wonderful descriptions of the landscape

What other book might you compare Shirley to, and why?

Any other novel by Charlotte Bronte and also for the feeling for landscape, any Thomas Hardy

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

The subtleties of character

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hidden Love - a tale of two girls in the England of 1812

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Much praise

To my mind Shirley is Charlotte Brontë best novel. This narration is brilliant. Highly recommended

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1 person found this helpful

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

Brilliant narration

An excellent performance by Anna Bentinck of a superb novel with well delineated characters and a well crafted plot.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

So well read!

I loved listening to Anna Bentinck’s narration. I also felt close to the author. I would have loved to have met her .

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