Wives and Daughters

By: Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by: Nadia May

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.

Enjoyable story, excellent performance.

If you could sum up Wives and Daughters in three words, what would they be?

True love wins.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Molly Gibson was my favorite character because she exuded nothing but [character]. She was steadfast or, "constant" as termed several times in the book. I have to give Cynthia credit for being honest, if nothing else. Mr. Gibson, Lady Harriet, and Phoebe played great supporting roles, always championing Molly.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene when Lady Harriet proudly paraded Molly all over town. It was also funny when Roger tells Mr. Gibson of his intentions (at the end of the story).

If you could rename Wives and Daughters, what would you call it?

One More Chapter? Lol. The Heart Grows Fonder...

Any additional comments?

I was so sad to learn that Mrs. Gaskell died before completing the last chapter of Wives and Daughters. Fortunately, she shared the plot of her story with others, so the reader at least knew what she had in mind for an ending. Unfortunately, I didn't know the story was left unfinished until I reached the end. I was doubly frustrated because I'd just finished North and South, also by Gaskell, which also ended abruptly due to severe time constraints. Overall, she was a gifted writer, a little verbose, but I like the way she developed her characters and plots. Seamless closure to her stories (Wives and Daughters, and North and South, at least), was not meant to be, however.

Nadia May did an excellent job narrating the story, and was the perfect choice for Wives and Daughters.

An escape, well performed

This was very long and if you're looking for an escape to another land and time it's entertaining. But it takes awhile to gain any intrigue, almost half the book.

Wonderful characters brought to life in narration

This writing reminded me of Jane Austen's wit but with even more subtly drawn characters. They are very believable with shades of virtue and flaw but without annoying caricatures. Nadia May is a discovery for me as a reader -- through soft changes of tone, voice timber and accent she creates characters easily identifiable as male and female, old or young, each with a distinct personality . I fell in love with Mr. Gibson among others. Probably one of my most enjoyable Audible listens! After finishing I looked up the BBC production and after watching for a brief time I was bored-- the characters and story as read by Ms. May were far more alive!

wonderful

Would you listen to Wives and Daughters again? Why?
This classic look at early 1800's village life in England is so well written and narrated that I fell into it completely from beginning to end. Why had I never heard of this novel before? Originally serialized in the monthly literary magazine "The Cornhill", it has all the trappings of a good soap opera but with characters drawn with amazing detail and balance. The author died before completing the last chapter and an afterward from her editor give hints as to how the last strings would have been tied up. There is also a BBC TV production on Netflix. Nadia May provides superior narration. A great investment in time!

A Really Good Victorian Novel

"Wives and Daughters" is Elizabeth Gaskell's final novel. She actually died prior to its completion. However it was almost finished. It is very lengthy and was published in serial form over many months. I found it easier to listen to, and read simultaneously in that fashion, small readings over perhaps two months.

Nadia May is one of my favorite Victorian narrators. She is excellent in this performance.

I do need to add that my personal favorite novel by Elizabeth Gaskell remains "Cranford". Thank You...

What a wonderful story and listen

I love this book. I love to listen to the story. It pulls me into the story and the lives of these people. The author is witty, and some of Dr. Gibson's statements are worth the price of the book. The BBC adaptation (also wonderful) made me realize that Mrs. Gibson is really a ditzy person who speaks without thinking. Listening with that in mind really brings forward the satire. A true unknown classic.

Slow but entertaining

Would you try another book from Elizabeth Gaskell and/or Nadia May?

Yes, she is a talented writer for her time and place.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Disappointing but I enjoyed the essays at the end.

Which character – as performed by Nadia May – was your favorite?

Cynthia- she was a women not meant for that time and place.

Could you see Wives and Daughters being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, it is a period drama afterall.

Any additional comments?

Slow- not at good as Austen but worth the read.

Excellent

Excellent narration for a great book. Loved the story and well developed characters. I highly recommend it.

Beautiful, full characters

This book now holds a place in my heart as one of my favorites. Ms. Haskell’s characters ring true and full. And though this was written in the mid 19th century, it holds truth, beauty, and goodness in it without preaching or spoiling a thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable story.

outstanding reading, slightly censured text

Wives and Daughters is one of the classic novels of 19th c. England. Nadia May is the perfect reader for the text--capturing each voice, whether female or male, with just the right nuances. I was disappointed however to discover that the audiobook left out an appallingly racist passage from chapter 35. Gaskell may have been ahead of her time in her feminism, but not in her sense of white superiority. Here is a portion of the paragraph left out, "Black folk are not remarkable for their power of reasoning, I believe, so that they have not much chance of altering his opinion by argument, even if they understood each other's language; and certainly if he shares my taste, their peculiarity of complexion will only make him appreciate white skin the more."

I wish Audible would insert this back into the text. Readers need to be aware of, not protected from, such things as Gaskell's racism or Trollope's even more pervasive antisemitism.