Wives and Daughters (Dramatic Reading)


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.7 stars; 10 reviews)

Molly and her father have lived alone since the death of her mother. Now Mr Gibson decides it will be in Molly's best interests for him to marry again. The new "Mama" brings to the household many changes, including a glamorous new step-sister. Mrs Gibson starts scheming to have Cynthia marry one of the sons of the local squire, but she does not understand Cynthia's reluctance or why Molly is meeting Mr Preston in the forest. Secrets, love affairs and society gossip abound in this social commentary novel written by Mrs Gaskell (author of North and South and Mary Barton). Love across the class divide, love of parents for children and step-children, love which is a 'heated fancy', love between sisters, and sincere self-sacrificing love of one person for another whether brother or beloved - all are delicately and delightfully drawn in this masterpiece of 19th century literature, and all are brought to life in this dramatic reading with a stunning cast of voices. - Summary by Beth Thomas

Cast list:

Narrated by: Lynette Caulkins and Beth Thomas
Molly Gibson: K.G.Cross
Cynthia Kirkpatrick: Amanda Friday
Mr Gibson: Joseph Tabler
Mrs Gibson/Betty/Frederick Greenwood: Elizabeth Klett
Roger Hamley: Larry Wilson
Osborne Hamley: Eden Rea-Hedrick
Squire Hamley: Michael Armenta
Mrs Hamley/Miss Pipe/Bethia: Vanessa Cooley
Lady Agnes/Martha/Miss Airy/Mrs. Bradley: Farheen
Lady Cumnor: Ruth Golding
Lady Harriet Cumnor: Libby Gohn
Lord Cumnor: tovarisch
Lord Hollingford/Williams: Rob Marland
Dick Hayward: Ryan Cooley
Hannah Oakes/Housemaid: SionedV
Helen Kirkpatrick/Mrs. Brown/Mrs. Parkes: Lydia
Housemaid 2: Hannah Mather
Lady Guest: Heather Masters
Major Coxe/Old Mr. Silas: Alan Mapstone
Maria: Miriam Esther Goldman
Marie-Aimée Scherer/Mrs. Goodenough/Lady Mary Cuxhaven: Carol Eades King
Miss Dorothy Browning: Michele Eaton
Miss Goodenough/Jenny: Woolly Bee
Miss Hornblower/Mrs. Dyson: Gemma L Myers
Miss Phoebe Browning: Maria Kasper
Mr Ashton/Mr.Roscoe/Banker: DomBombadil
Mr Coxe: BeniaminoMassimo
Mr Hall: Algy Pug
Mr Robert Preston: Brett W. Downey
Mr Sheepshanks/Robinson: Mike Pelton
Mr Wynne/Mrs. Dawes: Alex Lane
Mrs Kirkpatrick (Cynthia's aunt): Dorothy Godfrey-Smith
Mrs Silas/Dick/Groom/Mr. Kirkpatrick: Kimberly Krause
Willie/Grandchild: Evie Maria
Young Master Hamley: Zoe Trang
:
Audio edited by: Linette Geisel, K.G.Cross, Michele Eaton, Mary J, Kim, Bhavya, Mira Williams and VocalPenguin
:
Proof Listeners: Stav Nisser, Linette Geisel, Beth Thomas , MaxineMarie, Lynda Marie Neilson, VocalPenguin, Mira Williams and Bhavya
(26 hr 8 min)

Chapters

Dramatis Personae 4:03 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Dawn of a Gala Day 22:12 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
A Novice Amongst The Great Folk 37:25 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Gibson's Girlhood 19:07 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Mr Gibson's Neighbours 32:37 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Calf Love 29:15 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
A Visit to the Hamleys 33:36 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Foreshadows of Love Perils 16:52 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Drifting Into Danger 35:39 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Widower and The Widow 23:34 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
A Crisis 46:04 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Making Friendship 39:07 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Preparing for the Wedding 22:01 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Gibson's New Friends 24:07 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Finds Herself Patronized 32:22 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The New Mamma 17:56 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Bride At Home 22:22 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Trouble At Hamley Hall 27:55 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Mr Osborne's Secret 28:53 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Cynthia's Arrival 24:05 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Mrs Gibson's Visitors 19:39 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Half-Sisters 30:48 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Old Squire's Troubles 27:00 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Osborne Hamley Reviews His Position 20:50 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Mrs Gibson's Little Dinner 14:50 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Hollingford in a Bustle 19:46 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
A Charity Ball 40:00 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Fathers and Sons 18:03 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Rivalry 25:54 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Bush Fighting 32:43 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Old Ways and New Ways 20:21 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
A Passive Coquette 22:05 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Coming Events 31:47 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Brightening Prospects 18:11 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
A Lover's Mistake 20:37 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Mother’s Manoeuvre 34:32 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Domestic Diplomacy 13:25 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
A Fluke and What Came Of It 31:47 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Mr Kirkpatrick Q. C. 25:26 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Secret Thoughts Ooze Out 29:46 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Gibson Breathes Freely 18:39 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Gathering Clouds 26:22 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Storm Bursts 20:13 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Cynthia's Confession 21:23 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Gibson to the Rescue 20:52 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Confidences 19:58 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Hollingford Gossips 21:43 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Scandal and Its Victims 29:14 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
An Innocent Culprit 21:42 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Gibson Finds a Champion 22:56 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Cynthia At Bay 29:52 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Troubles Never Come Alone 22:16 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Squire Hamley's Sorrow 29:25 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Unlooked-for Arrivals 29:03 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Gibson’s Worth is Discovered 28:24 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
An Absent Lover Returns 23:28 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Off with the Old Love and On with the New 21:25 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Bridal Visits and Adieux 26:54 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Reviving Hopes and Brightening Prospects 26:04 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Molly Gibson at Hamley Hall 26:13 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Roger Hamley's Confession 32:52 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Concluding Remarks 12:26 Read by LibriVox Volunteers

Reviews

Several voices worth listening to


(4 stars)

I rate the performance and not the text because E. Gaskell stands amongst Jane Austen and other greats. As for the recording, I say that only some of the voices are worth hearing because a few are downright dreadful. I will not say which, but let you decide, for even with the few monotone or inappropriately cast or with overzealous diction, this recording is still worth hearing.

What a great look into earlier times


(5 stars)