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Wives and Daughters

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About this listen

 Set in English society before the 1832 Reform Bill, Wives and Daughters centers on the story of youthful Molly Gibson, brought up from childhood by her father. When he remarries, a new stepsister enters Molly's quiet life, the loveable, but worldly and troubling, Cynthia. The narrative traces the development of the two girls into womanhood within the gossiping and watchful society of Hollingford.(P)2002 Blackstone Audiobooks. Originally published in England between 1864 and 1866. Classics European Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literary History & Criticism Regency Regency Romance Romance World Literature
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Really enjoyable listen and very well read. The narrator brought the characters to life being really well suited to narrate this story. Although it is quite a long story, it was never boring. I highly recommended this.

Engrossing story with interesting characters.

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I read and listen to a lot of 19th century literature. Whilst you could not claim it has a lot of narrative drive - and you want to shake most of the characters a lot of the time - it was still very enjoyable. The good characters are convincingly good - and the mixed up characters are convincingly good at messing up their own lives and families. Mrs Gibson is a completely authentic pain in the neck. You would enjoy this book

fascinating book

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I only knew the work of Mrs Gaskill from the television version of Cranford (my next read) and have been delighted by this wonderful novel. Nadia May has the perfect voice to narrate this story and I'm glad to see that she's doing Cranford as well.

Molly Gibson is a delightful heroine, if a little bit goody two shoes at times, and her stepsister Cynthia a contrasting flippertygibbet leaving a trail of broken hearts in her wake. Molly's stepmother is someone you'd cheerfully strangle in the middle of one of her snobbish and selfish homilies, while her doctor father is the epitome of Scottish good sense. All these characters are drawn with irony and wit, beautifully performed by the skilful narrator.

I thoroughly recommend this book as a blessed relief from 21st century bad news days.

19th century escapism!

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I enjoyed listening to this novel so much. I felt completely drawn in every time I listened. I really think the writing of this book is superb! Gaskell was really at her peak. So sad that it is unfinished! But even so, it is complete enough to know the general ending and doesn’t diminish the beauty of the story. The narrator is fantastic. I enjoyed her interpretation of each character. The audio sounds a bit tinny when using headphones. But fine without. I will definitely be listening again.

A Joy

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Firstly the story is excellent but the way the narrator read the voices and accents of the characters also lead to the enjoyment of this book. Loved it!

Thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the world of this book

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