Wives and Daughters (version 2)


Lu par Elizabeth Klett

(4.8 stars; 818 reviews)

Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel was serialized in Cornhill Magazine from 1864 to 1866, and completed by her editor posthumously. It looks at English life in the 1830s through the experiences of Molly Gibson, the daughter of a widowed doctor growing up in the provincial town of Hollingford. When Mr. Gibson decides to marry again, Molly is forced to contend with a pretentious stepmother, but consoled by a close friendship with Cynthia, her new stepsister. The girls' relations with the local residents, particularly the Squire of Hamley Hall and his family, make for incidents comic, romantic, and tragic, by turns. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett) (25 hr 17 min)

Chapitres

01 - The Dawn of a Gala Day 21:02 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
02 - A Novice Amongst the Great Folk 36:48 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
03 - Molly Gibson's Childhood 17:07 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
04 - Mr. Gibson's Neighbors 29:23 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
05 - Calf-Love 29:06 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
06 - A Visit to the Hamleys 32:45 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
07 - Foreshadows of Love Perils 16:58 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
08 - Drifting Into Danger 31:15 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
09 - The Widower and the Widow 20:30 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
10 - A Crisis 42:59 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
11 - Making Friendship 37:10 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
12 - Preparing for the Wedding 19:28 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
13 - Molly Gibson's New Friends 24:58 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
14 - Molly Finds Herself Patronized 30:48 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
15 - The New Mamma 18:43 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
16 - The Bride at Home 21:49 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
17 - Trouble at Hamley Hall 25:45 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
18 - Mr. Osborne's Secret 30:14 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
19 - Cynthia's Arrival 26:23 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
20 - Mrs. Gibson's Visitors 20:23 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
21 - The Half-Sisters 31:48 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
22 - The Old Squire's Troubles 25:01 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
23 - Osborne Hamley Reviews His Position 19:58 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
24 - Mrs. Gibson's Little Dinner 14:40 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
25 - Hollingford in a Bustle 19:22 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
26 - A Charity Ball 40:46 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
27 - Fathers and Sons 17:18 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
28 - Rivalry 28:29 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
29 - Bush-Fighting 32:03 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
30 - Old Ways and New Ways 19:39 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
31 - A Passive Coquette 20:59 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
32 - Coming Events 31:22 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
33 - Brightening Prospects 16:22 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
34 - A Lover's Mistake 20:18 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
35 - The Mother's Maneuver 32:44 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
36 - Domestic Diplomacy 13:48 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
37 - A Fluke, and What Came of It 31:41 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
38 - Mr. Kirkpatrick, Q.C. 24:17 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
39 - Secret Thoughts Ooze Out 28:10 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
40 - Molly Gibson Breathes Freely 19:33 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
41 - Gathering Clouds 28:04 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
42 - The Storm Bursts 21:14 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
43 - Cynthia's Confession 23:32 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
44 - Molly Gibson to the Rescue 23:27 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
45 - Confidences 21:30 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
46 - Hollingford Gossips 20:48 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
47 - Scandal and its Victims 27:16 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
48 - An Innocent Culprit 22:38 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
49 - Molly Gibson Finds a Champion 21:27 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
50 - Cynthia at Bay 29:24 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
51 - Troubles Never Come Alone 21:09 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
52 - Squire Hamley's Sorrow 30:21 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
53 - Unlooked-For Arrivals 26:12 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
54 - Molly Gibson's Worth is Discovered 26:54 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
55 - An Absent Lover Returns 22:13 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
56 - Off With the Old Love, and On With the New 19:31 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
57 - Bridal Visits and Adieux 23:07 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
58 - Reviving Hopes and Brightening Prospects 23:15 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
59 - Molly Gibson at Hamley Hall 22:21 Lu par Elizabeth Klett
60 - Roger Hamley's Confession/Concluding Remarks 41:22 Lu par Elizabeth Klett

Critiques

Fantastic reading of a wonderful book


(5 stars)

Wow. Elizabeth Klett delivers another fantastic reading of a classic of English literature. The twists and turns, the contrasting characters between step-sisters Molly and Cynthia and brothers Osborn and Roger, all make for an exciting tale with plenty of human interest (and foibles). This Librivox audiobook is well worth the listen!

Wives and Daughters


(5 stars)

Gaskell is an under-appreciated author and this is one her most appealing works. The narrator, Elizabeth Klett, does an outstanding job. Furthermore, her version of an English accent is very good and she even had me fooled some of the time! Thank you, Elizabeth. Highly recommended. TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)

Wonderful book, beautifully read!


(5 stars)

This book was so enjoyable, I loved this story. This is the third book by Mrs. Gaskell I've listened to, and is my favorite so far. There are a surprising amounts of laugh out loud moments as an added bonus! The comments after the last chapter were fascinating, and tied up any loose ends. I am heading off for more of her books for my next listen, I love this author. The reader, Elizabeth Klett, is outstanding as well.

well, of course I like this...


(5 stars)

I'm on record as saying that E. Klett could read the U.S. Tax Code and I would listen. Wives and Daughters is another perfect vehicle to highlight her talent.

Very enjoyable : )


(5 stars)

I have really enjoyed this story again. Ms. Klett is an excellent readers also. Ms. Gaskell writes a 'good yarn' as the expression goes. I'll be listening to North and South, again, next : ).

Long Story, Well Detailed


(5 stars)

very well read, easily distinguish the character voices. the is a LONG story. it took me longer to listen to this than Les Miserables i think! there is a BBC miniseries on this book, but as usual the book is better than the movie. regarding the comments about the ending being mysterious - as the editors note reveals, the author died before finishing the book. BUT the conclusion is so easily drawn that u r not let completely wondering what will happen. i think it sounds almost like a proper ending myself. the story is a wonderful look into a stepfamilies life. different classes & status of living. and the expectations of the wealthy young. a long love story with twists and comedy (ohh that step mother! LoL). worth the read if u like detailed books that slowly develope characters & plots painting a wonderful picture in your mind as u read.

Great Book and Great Narration


(5 stars)

This is one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. Sadly, Mrs. Gaskell died shortly before finishing this novel, but close enough that we all know how it ended. I loved that the last chapter included a commentary that filled in the blanks and also gave us some insight into this wonderful story and it's colorful characters. The words about Cynthia Kirkpatrick were especially appropriate and exactly what I had been thinking. We all love Molly, but Cynthia was a particularly interesting character and she is one of the mot well done fictional characters that I have ever read. This book is a true work of art.

A Long but lovely tale!


(5 stars)

This was the first work I’ve encountered from Ms. Gaskell but I enjoyed it immensely. Like so much literature from this time the story winds and is perhaps longer than it needs to be but is charming the whole way through. Elizabeth Klett is a wonderful reader and lends great personality to each of the characters. Her ability to switch between accents on the fly is impressive and is well worked in this book.