Wives and Daughters (Dramatic Reading)

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810 - 1865)

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
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Audio edited by: Linette Geisel, K.G.Cross, Michele Eaton, Mary J, Kim, Bhavya, Mira Williams and VocalPenguin
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Proof Listeners: Stav Nisser, Linette Geisel, Beth Thomas , MaxineMarie, Lynda Marie Neilson, VocalPenguin, Mira Williams and Bhavya

Genre(s): Dramatic Readings, Family Life

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Dramatis Personae Group 00:04:03
Play 01 The Dawn of a Gala Day Group 00:22:12
Play 02 A Novice Amongst The Great Folk Group 00:37:25
Play 03 Molly Gibson's Girlhood Group 00:19:07
Play 04 Mr Gibson's Neighbours Group 00:32:37
Play 05 Calf Love Group 00:29:15
Play 06 A Visit to the Hamleys Group 00:33:36
Play 07 Foreshadows of Love Perils Group 00:16:52
Play 08 Drifting Into Danger Group 00:35:39
Play 09 The Widower and The Widow Group 00:23:34
Play 10 A Crisis Group 00:46:04
Play 11 Making Friendship Group 00:39:07
Play 12 Preparing for the Wedding Group 00:22:01
Play 13 Molly Gibson's New Friends Group 00:24:07
Play 14 Molly Finds Herself Patronized Group 00:32:22
Play 15 The New Mamma Group 00:17:56
Play 16 The Bride At Home Group 00:22:22
Play 17 Trouble At Hamley Hall Group 00:27:55
Play 18 Mr Osborne's Secret Group 00:28:53
Play 19 Cynthia's Arrival Group 00:24:05
Play 20 Mrs Gibson's Visitors Group 00:19:39
Play 21 The Half-Sisters Group 00:30:48
Play 22 The Old Squire's Troubles Group 00:27:00
Play 23 Osborne Hamley Reviews His Position Group 00:20:50
Play 24 Mrs Gibson's Little Dinner Group 00:14:50
Play 25 Hollingford in a Bustle Group 00:19:46
Play 26 A Charity Ball Group 00:40:00
Play 27 Fathers and Sons Group 00:18:03
Play 28 Rivalry Group 00:25:54
Play 29 Bush Fighting Group 00:32:43
Play 30 Old Ways and New Ways Group 00:20:21
Play 31 A Passive Coquette Group 00:22:05
Play 32 Coming Events Group 00:31:47
Play 33 Brightening Prospects Group 00:18:11
Play 34 A Lover's Mistake Group 00:20:37
Play 35 The Mother’s Manoeuvre Group 00:34:32
Play 36 Domestic Diplomacy Group 00:13:25
Play 37 A Fluke and What Came Of It Group 00:31:47
Play 38 Mr Kirkpatrick Q. C. Group 00:25:26
Play 39 Secret Thoughts Ooze Out Group 00:29:46
Play 40 Molly Gibson Breathes Freely Group 00:18:39
Play 41 Gathering Clouds Group 00:26:22
Play 42 The Storm Bursts Group 00:20:13
Play 43 Cynthia's Confession Group 00:21:23
Play 44 Molly Gibson to the Rescue Group 00:20:52
Play 45 Confidences Group 00:19:58
Play 46 Hollingford Gossips Group 00:21:43
Play 47 Scandal and Its Victims Group 00:29:14
Play 48 An Innocent Culprit Group 00:21:42
Play 49 Molly Gibson Finds a Champion Group 00:22:56
Play 50 Cynthia At Bay Group 00:29:52
Play 51 Troubles Never Come Alone Group 00:22:16
Play 52 Squire Hamley's Sorrow Group 00:29:25
Play 53 Unlooked-for Arrivals Group 00:29:03
Play 54 Molly Gibson’s Worth is Discovered Group 00:28:24
Play 55 An Absent Lover Returns Group 00:23:28
Play 56 Off with the Old Love and On with the New Group 00:21:25
Play 57 Bridal Visits and Adieux Group 00:26:54
Play 58 Reviving Hopes and Brightening Prospects Group 00:26:04
Play 59 Molly Gibson at Hamley Hall Group 00:26:13
Play 60 Roger Hamley's Confession Group 00:32:52
Play 61 Concluding Remarks Group 00:12:26