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Cranford

By: Elizabeth Gaskell
Narrated by: Prunella Scales
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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.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Cranford

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  • 13-04-2017

Snoreville (whoops, I mean 'Cranford')

Eugh.

I just wanted to be cultured.

What can I say about this snooze-fest that hasn't yet been said? Probably anything, as I am most likely the only person ever to not have fallen asleep by it's boringness.

I made it half way through Chapter 8, and every second of it was like Chinese water torture. I have endured minute after minute of discussion about bonnets and shawls. There is no drama, no war, no lust, crime or deceit, and not even a hint of an ankle.

I thought the book was looking up when the skanky maid was banned from seeing all the boys in town, but no. Back to talk of bonnets.

The only memorable bit was when some old broad was kicked out of the ladies' tea party, because she slurped her orange too loudly.

Whoops, I think I just spoiled the best part of the story.

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love!!!!!

one of my favourite stories! always helps me relax listening to it. Narration was good.

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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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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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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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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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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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Delightful Cranford

Prunella Scales is a wonderful narrator and makes this work pure joy. Perfectly written and read.

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Disappointed

Was disappointed with this story compared to others by the same author. Although the narration was fine.

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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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