North and South

By: Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by: Diana Quick

Penguin Classics presents Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, adapted for audio and now available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by the actress Diana Quick.

'How am I to dress up in my finery, and go off and away to smart parties, after the sorrow I have seen today?'

Elizabeth Gaskell's compassionate, richly dramatic novel features one of the most original and fully-rounded female characters in Victorian fiction, Margaret Hale. It shows how, forced to move from the country to an industrial northern town, she develops a passionate sense of social justice, and a turbulent relationship with mill-owner John Thornton. North and South depicts a young woman discovering herself, in a nuanced portrayal of what divides people, and what brings them together.

Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening.

This was a fantastic abridgment!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of North and South to be better than the print version?

In some ways yes. The print version can weigh you down with strikes and things that add little to the main story. The editor to this version did a great job. They cut out so much and I honestly can't tell it's been abridged. If I hadn't known it was abridged I would have though it was the entire book. Well done.

What did you like best about this story?

This story is so complex and interesting that you don't really know what to expect. I like the characters and the history of Milton.

Any additional comments?

Well done. As always the ending seems too short, but great read!! One of my favorites. If like Jane Austen you should love this book too.