Cranford Audiobook

" I just couldn't get into this book. Although it came highly recommended, it just felt tedious. "

" Loved, loved, loved, loved this book so much. "

" As a fan of the mini-series, I knew I needed to read the book. It was just as charming and heart-warming as the film adaptation. Elizabeth Gaskell is a brilliant author... "

" This book is so cute and has me laughing out loud. Definitely a new favorite! "

" I really, really didn't enjoy the minutae of this novel. "

" An interesting read, but the BBC adaptation does so much more with the story and characters. "

" I enjoyed trying to figure out whether there was a running plot or if it was a picaresque...Well drawn characters, but the character of this town of "amazons" is the real gem. "

" I found it very difficult to get through this book. I selected this book because I loved the author's novel North and South. However, this book lacked the depth and breadth of North and South. The central story of small town life for aging women was tedious. "

" I listened to the audiobook "

" "What does it signify how we dress here at Cranford, where everybody knows us?" And if they go from home, their reason is equally cogent, "What does it signify how we dress here, where nobody knows us?" "

" Quirky characters, amusing situations, a quiet, humorous style of writing and just a touch of pathos. It's all good. "

" This is another I return to with pleasure from time to time.... "

" Hilarious! (in an understated British sort of way) I kept thinking as I read this that Barbara Pym must have been a huge Cranford fan. "

" Not my favorite by Gaskell, but still a relaxing read with plenty of humor. It's more like a series of vignettes than a larger story, so you have to go into it thinking that way otherwise you'll keep expecting some major plot and end up disappointed. I actually liked the Masterpiece Theatre productions of "Cranford" and "Return to Cranford" better than the book itself, because the characters were cast extremely well and came to life in the television productions - it was also made a more coherent story with beginning, middle and end in the screen production. I think of the novel as the product of Gaskell's numerous story ideas that were never fully developed, but are nonetheless amusing and entertaining to read. "

" I liked the writing style of these stories, but does it make me shallow to admit I like the movie better? "

" I think I like watching the life of old spinsters..rather than reading about them.... "

" Innocent beyond the constraint of imagination. The portrait of cramford id both admirable and joyous at the same time. "

" After watching this on Masterpiece theater, I had to read it. It is mostly just a collecting of stories about a little town in England. And some parts made me laugh out loud. Not enthralling, but enjoyable. "

" I have a fascination with the ways communities work and interract. This is a very satisfying rendition of that. It successfully takes you to that time and into those streets and buildings and interrelationships. Great book. "

" This book is so cute and has me laughing out loud. Definitely a new favorite! "

" Hilarious! (in an understated British sort of way) I kept thinking as I read this that Barbara Pym must have been a huge Cranford fan. "

" I just couldn't get into this book. Although it came highly recommended, it just felt tedious. "

" This book is so cute and has me laughing out loud. Definitely a new favorite! "

" I personally had a hard time following the author's train of thought. I liked the movie much better in fact, what a huge disappointment as I've loved the movies by Masterpiece Theatre. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan too. "

" I have read most of Elizabeth Gaskell's books but somehow had never got round to this. A gentle read with lots of wry humour and a real insight into the lives of middle class Victorian of a certain age. "

" This is fun to read after seeing the movie. The movie actually combines story lines from several books--so I liked seeing which elements they included and which they changed or left out. It is a fun, quick read though. And as always I like Gaskell's writing style. "

" This book deserves a more prominent status as a classic work of women's literature. It portrays the behind-the-times ways of a Victorian England town, Cranford, through vignettes that capture the lives of its women and their give and take relationships with each other. "

" I really liked this book. I loved how Miss Matty was so thoughtful and kind to everyone and her example made those around her want to be better people too. Not a deep read just a fun story. I still have to get used to how some of these classic books end so abruptly though. "

" This book makes me want to use words like "charming" and "delightful" without irony. "

" As sweet as the TV series was. "

" I'm a big fan of Gaskell- I much prefer her to Dickens! "

" Gaskell's usual wit shines through in this one. It's a fun read and has memorable characters, but I missed her depth and plot development she has had in other books. "

" Delightful, for sure. The sisterhood among the woman of Cranford was fun to invest a little time in. "

" A series of sweet vingettes about life in a bit of a small-town, spinster community. It explores (and celebrates) the sometimes comical ways women interact, and the love and support friends provide one another. "

" A nice cozy book, but for me not as good as some books of writers from the same time, like for instance the Bronte-sisters. "

" I loved this book. Mrs Gaskell wrote with great perception and humor. It was truly a treat to read. Maybe I will watch the series now. "

" I enjoyed these stories, but felt a much stronger emotional connection to her superior, in my opinion, North and South. "

" A very sweet collection of tales, many of them involving elderly ladies in rural England. Love the one about the woman who has so much faith in her local bank (undeserved, unfortunately). "

" Fun read that reminded me very much of Jane Austen and all the subtleties of English country life. "

" This book was charming and giggly and sweet - while I listened to it, I felt like a cozy friend was with me :) I don't know if I'd love to read it because its plot doesn't move quickly, but listening to the British author read it was great fun. "

" I loved this quaint story, only improved by the excellent TV adaptation. "

" Not my favorite of Gaskell's books but another great read. All of her books have such heart and humor. "

" Great book, about the life of a group of elderly women in a small English town, highlighting social changes in the 19th century along the way. Gaskell manages to be droll, affectionate and satirical, all at the same time. "

" I really enjoyed this book with its amusing characters and portrayal of the simple life of a small English town in the 1800's. The kindness they show each other contrasted with the airs they put on is touching as well as humorous. Cleverly written. "

" I have read North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, and so I thought that Cranford wouldn't disappoint. It was a really good book, and surprisingly funny. "

" This was less a novel, and more a series of short stories. Not my favorite. "

" I really enjoyed the PBS movie of Cranford, but the book fell a little flat, even though the funny old lady parts from the book are the funniest in the movie. I'd definitely recommend watching the DVD instead of bothering with the book. "

" A completely delightful read with a wonderful setting and characters. Cranford was originally published as a serial, and my only complaint is that it still reads that way...disjointed at times. "

" Timesay change... But people never do! "

" Fairly self-contained chapters recalling a woman's visits to the town she grew up in. Charming, amusing, female-centred ("Cranford is in possession of the Amazons"). Fortunately I read it before the dreadful BBC adaptation. "

" I read this in almost one sitting one summer and loved it. My edition had Dame Judy Dench on the cover from the wonderful Masterpiece production and that made me love it more. "

" I found it very difficult to get through this book. I selected this book because I loved the author's novel North and South. However, this book lacked the depth and breadth of North and South. The central story of small town life for aging women was tedious. "

" This took a while to get into. Once I put it down, it was days before I got back to it. BUT, I was rededicated to it round abt page 40 and the rest seemed to fly. I loved this book almost as much as I loved Miss Matty. "

" It was very different then the movie it was a lot shorter then I thought it would be. It was a good book though. "

" I loved this book! I read it after watching the PBS version with Judi Dench. I don't know why I'd never heard anything about Gaskell before. A combination of Dickens and Austen--mid-19th century England--a little window into another world. "

" The book was a fun look at the transition from rural to industrial England. The BBC mini-series was FABuLOUS!!! "

" On the surface, Cranford appears to be somewhat dull. However, if you are a fan of dry humor, this book will have you laughing out loud! Elizabeth Gaskell is just as skilled as Jane Austen at making societal observation with humor and intelligence. "

" So refreshing! The love of the community women for each other warmed my heart, and the narrator's humor frequently made me grin, if not laugh out loud. The BBC's adaptation was lovely, too, but the producers/writers added several story threads not in the original. "

" Comfort food, but is it horrible to say that I enjoyed the recent BBC miniseries version even more than the book? "

" Cranford is a more like a book of short stories than a novel. I found it a bit incongruous and over-long. Not a novel I would recommend to a friend. "

" It was occasionally amusing, I guess I just needed more of a plot. At least the book club at the library was pleased by it. "

" It was very pleasant to listen to as I worked around the house. My spirit was taken to another time and place, where I met very charming people. I like Gaskell as much as Austen, and more than Dickens. Definitely Masterpiece Theater material! "

" I finished and enjoyed it. "

" I enjoyed this book although it was a bit slow. Lacking a strong overall plot, instead it is a series of anecdotes about the town of Cranford. I especially enjoyed the characters and the witty comments that punctuate the story. "

" I really wish I'd discovered this when I was younger. Cranford is absolutely delightful, full of humour and wonderful characters. "

" I really wish I'd discovered this when I was younger. Cranford is absolutely delightful, full of humour and wonderful characters. "

" I really wish I'd discovered this when I was younger. Cranford is absolutely delightful, full of humour and wonderful characters. "

" I have read most of Elizabeth Gaskell's books but somehow had never got round to this. A gentle read with lots of wry humour and a real insight into the lives of middle class Victorian of a certain age. "

" I have read most of Elizabeth Gaskell's books but somehow had never got round to this. A gentle read with lots of wry humour and a real insight into the lives of middle class Victorian of a certain age. "

" I have read most of Elizabeth Gaskell's books but somehow had never got round to this. A gentle read with lots of wry humour and a real insight into the lives of middle class Victorian of a certain age. "

" Good, but more of a collection of random stories. Little dry, sometimes hard to get through, but worth a read :) The BBC mini series is excellent. "

" Good, but more of a collection of random stories. Little dry, sometimes hard to get through, but worth a read :) The BBC mini series is excellent. "

" Good, but more of a collection of random stories. Little dry, sometimes hard to get through, but worth a read :) The BBC mini series is excellent. "

" I loved this. And I am not ashamed to say some stories brought tears to my eyes. Something about the smiplistic description just made me fall into this world. I will be reading more Gaskell. "

" I loved this. And I am not ashamed to say some stories brought tears to my eyes. Something about the smiplistic description just made me fall into this world. I will be reading more Gaskell. "

" I loved this. And I am not ashamed to say some stories brought tears to my eyes. Something about the smiplistic description just made me fall into this world. I will be reading more Gaskell. "

" I loved this book and its characters, but it's a very old fashioned read. You have to be in the right mood to enjoy it. "

" I loved this book and its characters, but it's a very old fashioned read. You have to be in the right mood to enjoy it. "

" I loved this book and its characters, but it's a very old fashioned read. You have to be in the right mood to enjoy it. "

" Elizabeth Gaskell. We're friends now. Austen + Dickens + delightful characters = what's not to love? "

" Elizabeth Gaskell. We're friends now. Austen + Dickens + delightful characters = what's not to love? "

" Elizabeth Gaskell. We're friends now. Austen + Dickens + delightful characters = what's not to love? "

" I LOLed. Several times. I think that's pretty good for a book written in the 1850s. "

" I LOLed. Several times. I think that's pretty good for a book written in the 1850s. "

" I LOLed. Several times. I think that's pretty good for a book written in the 1850s. "

" Very nice. Knowing that this was originally serialized in Dickens' Household Words, I think the format of the book suits the publication very well. Miss Matty is a delightful cahracter, although you do want to shake her on occasion. "

" I've enjoyed other books by Elizebeth Gaskell, but I found this book lacking in character. Most likely because it was a collection of anecdotes rather than a novel. An enjoyable read, but not one I'd add to my list to buy or revisit in the future. "

" Very nice. Knowing that this was originally serialized in Dickens' Household Words, I think the format of the book suits the publication very well. Miss Matty is a delightful cahracter, although you do want to shake her on occasion. "

" I've enjoyed other books by Elizebeth Gaskell, but I found this book lacking in character. Most likely because it was a collection of anecdotes rather than a novel. An enjoyable read, but not one I'd add to my list to buy or revisit in the future. "

" Very nice. Knowing that this was originally serialized in Dickens' Household Words, I think the format of the book suits the publication very well. Miss Matty is a delightful cahracter, although you do want to shake her on occasion. "

" I've enjoyed other books by Elizebeth Gaskell, but I found this book lacking in character. Most likely because it was a collection of anecdotes rather than a novel. An enjoyable read, but not one I'd add to my list to buy or revisit in the future. "

" Although it took me a little bit to get into the book, I ended up liking the oddities of Cranford! So many chuckles! I heard the movie is great and covers the other books in the series. When I am able to find 4 spare hours, I will watch it! "

" Although it took me a little bit to get into the book, I ended up liking the oddities of Cranford! So many chuckles! I heard the movie is great and covers the other books in the series. When I am able to find 4 spare hours, I will watch it! "

" Although it took me a little bit to get into the book, I ended up liking the oddities of Cranford! So many chuckles! I heard the movie is great and covers the other books in the series. When I am able to find 4 spare hours, I will watch it! "

" So charming...the PBS series was based on this book. One review said that the main character is really the town of Cranford (and its residents) and I would have to agree. "