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Cranford
- Narrated by: Prunella Scales
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Exclusively from Audible
A vivid and affectionate portrait of the residents of an English country town in the mid-19th century, Cranford describes a community dominated by its independent and refined women, relating the adventures of Miss Matty and Miss Deborah, two middle-aged spinster sisters striving to live with dignity in reduced circumstances.
Through a series of satirical vignettes, Gaskell sympathetically portrays changing small town customs and values in mid-Victorian England, in a community governed by old-fashioned habits and dominated by friendships between women. Her wry account of rural life is undercut, however, by tragedy: with such troubling events as Matty's bankruptcy, the death of Captain Brown and the unwitting cruelty of Peter Jenkyns.
Gaskell was an accomplished writer who had many of her stories published in Charles Dickens' magazine Household Words. 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
Prunella Scales is a classically trained stage actress but is best known for her role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) and for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (1991), for which she was nominated for a BAFTA.
Her film appearances have included Stiff Upper Lips (1997), Howards End (1992) and Wolf (1994). She was awarded the CBE for her services to drama in 1992 and the Patricia Rothermere Award for her contributions to British Theatre in 2001. More recent appearances have included the mini-series The Shell Seekers (2006), a production of Carrie's War at the Apollo Theatre (2009) and Horrid Henry: The Movie (2013).
Julian Barnes’ The Lemon Table and Anne Fine’s Charm School are among the many audiobooks Prunella Scales has narrated.
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What listeners say about Cranford
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 14-02-2022
Delightful Cranford
Prunella Scales is a wonderful narrator and makes this work pure joy. Perfectly written and read.
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- Gordon
- 04-03-2023
Gaskell’s novel is a delight
It could be a satirical look at classism and social etiquette but mainly it is of friendship, optimism in the face of hardship and the rewards of kindness.
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- Lyds
- 15-03-2022
Delightful
The reader is wonderful and so gifted with accents and mannerisms to separate the characters. The story is gentle and lovely and quietly witty.
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- Anonymous User
- 21-05-2022
So beautifully read by Prunella Scales.
I used to adore this book many years ago. Even visited Lacock in Britain when travelling because I was also captivated by the BBC series.
I just love Prunella’s beautiful reading - she has brought the characters to life.
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- Amie
- 07-10-2016
love!!!!!
one of my favourite stories! always helps me relax listening to it. Narration was good.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Louise Hobson
- 13-04-2021
A delightful tale
What joy to listen to the tales of the simple and gentle folk of Cranford. Prunella Scales does Mrs Gaskell proud.
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- Keddie
- 13-06-2023
Endearing story for the ages
A beautiful account of some of the dearest women you ever could meet-it is relevant in its humanity today as it was when it was written.
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- Robyn
- 05-04-2018
The quiet beauty if deep feelings....
And why they should always be allowed the fullest expression.... an excellent reading of the story of a community growing to naturity.
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- Georgette Heyer
- 21-11-2021
Delightful!
I enjoyed spending time with the ladies - and the occasional gentleman! - of Cranford. I do not rate this book as highly as others be Elizabeth Gaskell, but it is still good and very delightful. So warm and comfortable to read.
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- Linda D.
- 17-02-2023
Superb
I adore E Gaskell writing. She has got such a way with words that she’s captivating, great characters, narration good. It’s well worth a listen.
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