Cranford


Read by Sibella Denton

(4.4 stars; 273 reviews)

Cranford is the best-known novel of the 19th century English writer Elizabeth Gaskell. It was first published in 1851 as a serial in the magazine Household Words, which was edited by Charles Dickens.

The fictional town of Cranford is closely modelled on Knutsford in Cheshire, which Mrs Gaskell knew well. The book has little in the way of plot and is more a series of episodes in the lives of Mary Smith and her friends, Miss Matty and Miss Deborah, two spinster sisters. The "major" event in the story is the return to Cranford of their long-lost brother, Peter, which in itself is only a minor portion of the work... (Summary by Wikipedia) (6 hr 6 min)

Chapters

Our Society 21:52 Read by Sibella Denton
The Captain 29:29 Read by Sibella Denton
A Love Affair of Long Ago 17:47 Read by Sibella Denton
A Visit to an Old Bachelor 21:34 Read by Sibella Denton
Old Letters 22:11 Read by Sibella Denton
Poor Peter 23:42 Read by Sibella Denton
Visiting 20:44 Read by Sibella Denton
"Your Ladyship" 25:34 Read by Sibella Denton
Signor Brunoni 19:30 Read by Sibella Denton
The Panic 27:36 Read by Sibella Denton
Samuel Brown 22:32 Read by Sibella Denton
Engaged to be Married 16:22 Read by Sibella Denton
Stopped Payment 22:02 Read by Sibella Denton
Friends in Need 35:05 Read by Sibella Denton
A Happy Return 25:04 Read by Sibella Denton
Peace to Cranford 15:36 Read by Sibella Denton

Reviews

Reader's Speed is FINE.


(5 stars)

i almost missed this recording because of the reviews. .. yes, This dear reader, Sibella, speaks faster than some readers, BUT, she does pause appropriately at punctuation. She speaks clearly, and Has an energy that makes this book (possibly) more exciting,..... i have only heard 2 chapters, so i will do an updated review off the actual story once complete.

Lovely classic Gaskell


(5 stars)

This is a beautiful book. It has the perfect cathartic mix of joy and sorrow that is so notable in Elizabeth Gaskell's books. It is not my favourite of her books but definitely a classic and excellent example of her style and amazing talent for small town world emersion. The reader was in my opinion so good that I have looked up other books she has read on LibriVox. I have noticed that some people have complained about the speed at which she reads but I personally find it refreshing as I often wish I could change the playback speed. Clear, emotive and very enjoyable to listen to.

Give it a chance


(5 stars)

I was almost put off by the reviews, but I'm so glad I wasn't. The reader is wonderful, and while faster than some readers it's by no means a problem. If anything it's closer to reading speed than some slower readers manage. Excellent reading of a charming novel.

a perfectly decent reading


(3.5 stars)

Please don't be fooled by the negative reviews. It's not my favorite librivox recording, but it was perfectly acceptable. I didn't really have any problem understanding the reader.

Wonderful book, maddening reader


(2 stars)

Cranford is one of the greatest English short novels ever penned. Its humour is altogether delightful, the characterisations are beautifully drawn, and the pace is much brisker than other novels of the 19th century. It is filled with charm and lovingly related domestic incident--a kind of Victorian precursor of the comic novels of E. F. Benson. Unfortunately the reader here gallops along at such breakneck speed that almost all the nuances of the humour are lost, often garbled. She reads so quickly that she often fails to distinguish between a "Miss" and a "Mrs." I had to follow along with a print copy and found that when I got a page turned, the reader was already two sentences ahead of me. I do hope that someone else will record this novel with the care and delicacy with which it should be treated.

Good reading of a slightly trivial book


(3 stars)

I do not give more stars, because the book itself is not a favourite of mine. I find the story, if there is such a thing, too trivial, despite the clever, humorous style. The reading is proficient, a good pace for my liking (I see that for some it is too fast). The witty commentary is well expressed, and the reading suits the book's conversational style. My only criticism of the reader is that personally I would have preferred a lady with an English accent to read such an English book.

sweet story and good reading


(4 stars)

some of the reviews of the reader don't do justice to this story. although she reads somewhat fast, most of the time it helps to capture the cadence of the characters well. Nicely done and, of course, the story is charming

Well read text.


(4 stars)

I enjoyed this reading by Sibella Denton. She is a very good reader. An excellent novel about the "Amazons" of Cranford. A well written glimpse into a gentile world that no longer exists.