Wives and Daughters (Abridged) Audiobook

" Nicely written book from around the Austen era. Had seen it on PBS and wondered how the book would compare to the TV production. Actually weren't that much different. Found it to be a bit of a slog to get through and some of the characters annoying but still a worthwhile read. "

" Similar style to Jane Austen. Enjoyable story and amazing grasp of characters. Loved it! "

" I would have given this 5 stars if it had an ending but unfortunately the author died before finishing it and no publisher has yet had the nerve to including their own version of an ending. It was an excellent tale though. "

" One of my new favorites. I also love the BBC DVD adaptation! "

" I read this one for a book club. Had I known it was after the fashion of Jane Austen, I probably would have skipped it altogether. However, it is a pleasant enough story. VERY WORDY. Could have been 1/2 the size and twice as good in my opinion. The author clearly is talented. Just not my style. "

" I enjoyed this book, but was disappointed at the end because I was unaware that it was an unfinished work. "

" It took me awhile to get into this book, but now that I'm into it, I find it very enjoyable, It's always fun to read a book with a character in it that has your name. I just wish that "Cynthia" was more like Molly in the book. "

" For Jane Austen fans. A leisurely read that I could pick up and put down, but that I was never tempted to give up on. I read it over several months - and felt like I was spending time with good friends each time I picked it up again. "

" I read this book a long time ago. I remember that I enjoyed it...until it suddenly ended with no conclusion except a note saying, "and then the author died". Not cool, dude. Not cool. "

" Great story, and while Victorian-era literature takes me longer to get through, this was worth the effort. Gaskell is somewhere in between Austen and Bronte in writing style (Bronte being at the top in my opinion). "

" I liked the story. It is a long book and was written so long ago that some of the language is very descriptive and "flowery" but the story is great. I enjoy watching the miniseries on DVD. "

" Life is so much simpler in Victorian romance novels. Sure, everyone is repressed and pining and socially immobile and you might die suddenly of an unexplained illness, but it all works out in the end. I'd take it over the real world in a heartbeat. "

" This is one story that never gets old. I've read it half a dozen times from cover to cover and never tire of it. "

" my only regret is that it was never finished, and I will never know how it was to end. I was realy sad to come to the end and not be able to move further with the lives of molly and roger, or to hear what becomes of cynthia and her husband.. or any of the other people ive come to care about. "

" This book is one of my alltime favourites.. The only thing that really gets to me is that the autor died before finishing the book. So you never get to know how she had emagin the end.... "

" This book would get 5 stars because the story is wonderful, but the author died before she finished it. I was extremely frustrated. They should really put a disclaimer on the cover. "

" Reminiscent of Jane Austen, with the serial feel of Chas. Dickens. Romance, friendship, family, community--all aspects of love--seemingly simple themes but I couldn't put it down. The characters were fully formed, complex and fascinating, particularly Cynthia. Evoked the era like a 3D movie. "

" I loved this book but was disappointed that it had no ending. "

" I liked this book a lot. The only thing that kept it from being 5 stars is that the first 200 pages are a bit of a chore to get through. Good, complex characters, but not a lot of action. "

" The book starts very slowly, but if you love 19th century British novels, you will love this. Gaskell is very skillful in drawing her characters, and I really enjoyed getting to know the players in this overly long drama. I will definitely read more books by Gaskell. "

" It took me awhile to get into this book, but now that I'm into it, I find it very enjoyable, It's always fun to read a book with a character in it that has your name. I just wish that "Cynthia" was more like Molly in the book. "

" Be warned, the book ends suddenly because Elizabeth Gaskell died before finishing it. That was the only thing I disliked about this book. "

" i loved this book....i was really sad when i got to the back of the book and found that the author died before she was able to finish it. even without the end it is one of my favorite books. "

" Simultaneously lush and simple, drawing deep themes and sketching spectacularly complete characters. My only complaint is that the heroine lost some of her "muchness," in comparison to the portrayal in the BBC adaptation. "

" LbW selection, May, 2009.Victorian Goodreads selection, April, 2011.Listened to part on CD, but MP3 and didn't work well. Have not really finished reading the entire book. "

" I really enjoyed this book. Sadly, it abruptly ends, since the author died. It is still worth reading. There is enough of the conflict resolved that you can gather what will happen and the story is well done. I'd still read it again, knowing there is no ending. "

" One of my favorite reads. "

" Even though the book was never finished, it definitely has resolution. You feel like the ending is good. It's an enjoyable read--definitely a for-fun book. "

" I wish she had lived to write the ending I am sure I would have absolutely loved it then. "

" For Jane Austen fans. A leisurely read that I could pick up and put down, but that I was never tempted to give up on. I read it over several months - and felt like I was spending time with good friends each time I picked it up again. "

" Mrs. Gibson nee Kirkpatrick is a treasure of a wicked stepmother, and this novel contains that rarest of jewels: a Good Father. Love, love, love. The only thing that would have made this book better is if Mrs. Gaskell had lived to finish it. "

" I forgot it was unfinished, but the author was so close to finishing it that I didn't mind. I really enjoyed the characters. "