Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel, is regarded by many as her masterpiece. Molly Gibson is the daughter of the doctor in the small provincial town of Hollingford. Her widowed father marries a second time to give Molly the woman's presence he feels she lacks, but until the arrival of Cynthia, her dazzling stepsister, Molly finds her situation hard to accept. Intertwined with the story of the Gibsons is that of Squire Hamley and his two sons. As Molly grows up and falls in love, she learns to judge people for what they are, not what they seem. Through Molly's observations the hierarchies, social values, and social changes of early-nineteenth-century English life are made vivid in a novel that is timeless in its representation of human relationships.
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"This book was very long and I found myself wishing for more to happen. It seemed to drag on a little and I didn't enjoy the characters as much as her other stories I've read and there seemed to be a lack of tragedy in it. Saying that however, my favorite character did die early on and she was fantastic. I enjoyed the Hamleys, and Lady Harriet and whenever people showed up to put "Clare" in her place. I think the weakest character was Molly who while she started off quite adventuresome and forthright she mostly petered out into a typical good and mild girl. It was sad that Mrs. Gaskell died before she finished the book and sad that she died so young. There were some very touching moments in the story I just think it would have benefited from being more concise. Still I will continue to read more of her novels as I still think she is a great author."
— Mel (5 out of 5 stars)
" Not so much about wives---Mrs. Gibson reminded me of Mrs. Olsen on Little House on the Prairie. I could almost hear her voice in the dialogue. The daughters were so different---one a flirt, selfish, and unfeeling. The other was quiet, sensitive and extremely kind. After 600 plus pages, I was relieved to reach the end and it didn't matter that the author died before the book was finished because it was such a continuing story. This book was written as a serial, to be read in installments. Too bad books aren't published like that anymore. I know I'd be running to the bookstore for the next volume to satisfy my book fever! "
— Ginny, 2/19/2014" Marvelous! Wonderful! Such a pity that it remained unfinished, b/c the whole thing is just so.... there aren't words to describe how lovely. "
— Kailey, 2/18/2014" This was the first Gaskell I read, and it was a wonderful introduction. Though 'North and South' is my favorite, this is a definite re-read, I even liked the movie! "
— Peachy, 2/8/2014" It really is too bad that Ms. Gaskill didn't live to finish this novel. She only had a chapter left. And even though her editor knew the gist of what would happen in the story, it's not quite the same as reading it straight from her pen. In the beginning of the story, I absolutely hated Hycinth. She is a liar and makes poor Molly look bad. I cringed when I learned that she was to become Molly's step-mother. But even though she still lies, schemes, and plots, Molly is not affected by her because she chooses not to be and because everyone already knows that she's a liar. "
— Angie, 2/6/2014" This victorian novel aptly explores the most basic of human relationships: mother to daughter, sister to sister, and father to daughter. The story centers on the effects of a country physician's decision to marry to provide a mother to his teenage daughter and how their family is altered by his decision. "
— Sandy, 2/5/2014" I really hoped that I would like this novel, but I just couldnt get into it. It started off too slow for my tastes and didnt capture my interest. After reading the other reviews, I realized that the author died before finishing the book and it was completed by someone else. "
— Karen, 2/3/2014" A fun read, rather reminiscent of Jane Austen's writing style. Wives and Daughters is much less dark than Gaskell's North and South (also an excellent book). In wives and daughters, Gaskell explores the relationship between Molly Gibson, her beautiful stepsister, Cynthia, and their silly stepmother/mother, Clare. Be forewarned, though, that the book is very long. It's also unfinished, which I didn't realize when I started. Apparently Gaskell died before finishing the last couple of chapters, so the reader is left hanging. It's pretty easy to guess where she was going with it, although disappointing not to know for sure. Worth the read, but make sure you have a lot of time to read it. "
— Kimberly, 2/3/2014" I would have rated it higher, but my kindle was missing the end of the book, so I didn't actually get to finish. :( "
— Jennifer, 2/3/2014" 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. "
— Libby, 2/2/2014" Good book, except the author died before finishing and it ends right at the most important part at the end...leaving you to make your own ending, but disappointing to read all that way and have no conclusion. Check out the BBC movie, however--I really liked that. "
— Roselyn, 2/2/2014" I love Elizabeth Gaskell's books and this one is no exception. Her characters are so well drawn they leap off the pages plus the plots are always excellently constructed. "
— Rachael, 1/29/2014Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–1865) was an English novelist and short-story writer born in London and raised in Knutsford, Cheshire, which became the model for village settings in her novels. In 1832 she married William Gaskell, a Unitarian minister. Her first novel, Mary Barton, published in 1848, was immensely popular and brought her to the attention of Charles Dickens, who solicited her work for his periodical, Household Words, for which she wrote the series subsequently reprinted as Cranford.
Josephine Bailey’s impeccable narrations include the British classics Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden. She has also used her subtly nuanced style to enliven historical fiction and light romances. She has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award.