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North and South
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
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North and South
Publisher's Summary
Exclusively from Audible
Written at the request of Charles Dickens, North and South is a book about rebellion; it poses fundamental questions about the nature of social authority and obedience. Gaskell expertly blends individual feeling with social concern, and her heroine, Margaret Hale, is one of the most original creations of Victorian literature.
When Margaret Hale's father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience she is forced to leave her comfortable home in the tranquil countryside of Hampshire and move with her family to the fictional industrial town of Milton in the north of England. Though at first disgusted by her new surroundings, she witnesses the brutality wrought by the Industrial Revolution and becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of the local mill workers. Sympathetic to the poor she makes friends among them and develops a fervent sense of social justice. She clashes with the mill-owner and self-made man, John Thornton, who is contemptuous of his workers. However, their fierce opposition masks a deeper attraction.
Gaskell based her depiction of Milton on Manchester, where she lived as the wife of a Unitarian minister. She was an accomplished writer, much of her work published in Charles Dickens' magazine Household Words including North and South which was originally published as a serial. She was also friends with Charlotte Brontë and after her death, her father, Patrick Brontë, chose Gaskell to write The Life of Charlotte Brontë.
Narrator Biography
Whether she's up on stage, behind the microphone or in front of the camera, Juliet Stevenson never fails to charm her audience...whoever they may be. Acting roles in Truly, Madly Deeply, Emma, Bend It like Beckham and Mona Lisa Smile have cemented her status as one of the great British actresses of our time. Meanwhile, her popular performances of hits such as Apple Tree Yard, the book that was turned into a TV series that people just couldn't stop talking about, have earned her an overwhelming amount of well-deserved praise for her spoken word talents.
What the critics say
What listeners say about North and South
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tilly's mum
- 2022-09-10
Loved it
Tried to read this novel years ago after watching the wonderful BBC adaptation and found it really difficult to get into. Juliet Stevenson’s narration is great, I have rarely listened to a narrator who makes each character so distinct and memorable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sally Macrae
- 2022-01-14
absolutely delicious narration
I loved this book the first time I read it. Listening to it opened even more content to me as I tend to read books I enjoy much too fast.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Debra de Jong
- 2020-03-20
A story with lots of points to chew on
I loved the contrast of both sides of the story brought together with even a possible solution leaves you feeling hopeful. Narrator has done an excellent Job with the different voices Which were true to the movie. The movie series was also very accurate to the book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AmberZ
- 2023-09-28
Lovely
I enjoyed this story. Engaging performance. I was a fan of the mini series and found this a great way to fill in the gaps.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca
- 2019-07-08
Socially Aware Pride and Prejudice.
Literally the only problem with this book is that is isnt another 18 hours long. Why must all these amazing love stories end so abruptly!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Terri Mac
- 2023-12-28
Epic Tale Well Worth the listen
This book is long but engaging and expansive. A rare look into two very divergent worlds of that time period. Geographically close but far apart. I listened to it as an audio book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michelle
- 2024-07-07
a Victorian Pride and Prejudice with melodrama
I loved this book. I watched the BBC series, read the book and now listened to the books all fantastic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SharonAmazon Customer
- 2023-05-23
North and South
A complex story about the unique differences and beliefs between the privileged class and workers in trade. When each decides to attempt to understand the common humanity life unfolds in kinder ways. Thoroughly enjoyed the story, however, felt cheated at the end wanted to know more about what happened with Margaret and her beloved.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- KMinish
- 2024-05-26
Beautifully drawn characters
A lovely Victorian romance- not perfect people doing perfect things, but flawed. Wonderful narration as well. Slow, quiet, enchanting
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lily_flower_girl
- 2022-04-23
Excellent reading of an engrossing story
North and South rings with echoes of Jane Austen, but is meatier and with darker elements than Pride and Prejudice.
The reading is wonderful, with each character distinct, and the northern vs. southern accents well executed.
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