Mary Barton cover art

Mary Barton

A Tale of Manchester Life

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Mary Barton

By: Elizabeth Gaskell
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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About this listen

Exclusively from Audible

Following the death of his wife and the government's refusal to pass his local trade union's chartist petition, John Barton sinks into a depression so deep that not even his doting daughter can lift him out of it. Seeing the poverty that her family has been reduced to and the desperation in her father's eyes, Mary Barton realises she must reject the proposal of her working-class lover, Jem. Instead, she sets her sights at a master's son, the wealthy heir of a Manchester mill, Henry Carson, in the hope that his situation will improve her own.

In a shocking turn of events, Mary discovers Mr Carson has been shot and her former lover, Jem, accused of his murder. As life-altering secrets emerge and the lives of those around her are put on the line, Mary must decide who to trust and who to denounce.

Elizabeth Gaskell's first novel, Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life, is an emotive condition of English work in which she artfully intertwines the socio-political struggles of the 'hungry forties' with elements of a classic love story. Mary Barton is a pioneering work of fiction which has ensured that Gaskell's name will forever be included in a list of England's greatest authors. Its success was such that it even won the attention of Charles Dickens and Charlotte Brontë, forging a great working relationship between the writers, and later leading Gaskell to write Brontë's biography.

Narrator Biography

Multi-award winning actress, Juliet Stevenson has graced the stage and screen with a myriad of powerhouse performances for over 40 years. Aged nine, she developed a passion for the spoken word after performing a reading of a WH Auden poem in front of her entire school. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and later became a member of its artistic council. Her theatre experience is vast and includes parts in Measure for Measure, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Burn This and Death and the Maiden.

She is also known for her film career in works such as Bend It Like Beckham, Emma, Truly Madly Deeply and Mona Lisa Smile. Stevenson has been BAFTA-nominated and been the winner of a Laurence Olivier Award. In 1999, she was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for her services to Drama.

Juliet's other audiobook narrations include Sense and Sensibility, North and South, The Portrait of a Lady and Madame Bovary. These and many more can be found at Audible.

Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Romance

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All stars
Most relevant  
Juliet Stevenson's performance is completely engaging. She brings to life all the characters. I also love Elizabeth Gaskell but to my thinking, she is at her best with her closely observed village life such as Cranford and Wives and Daughters. I admire her work and her life. The themes explored in this novel are painful because of the terrible conditions people lived in and this loses some momentum and impact when the same note is played. Texture is missing from this story and it is melodramatic and that was the writing of the time. Think of some of Dicken's writing.

Hard Going!

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I love Elizabeth Gaskell’s books. The more I read, the more I like this amazing woman writer from a different era. Such a talented writer, great observations, understanding, a very good, compassionate heart. This book was also a very good one. In fact her descriptions of social events woven beautifully into a love story is amazing. So genuine. Highly recommended.

Another great book of Gaskell

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Why have I never heard of this book before now? It’s one of the best I’ve ever read (well, listened to.) Juliet Stevenson is fantastic as the narrator and the story is gripping, opinion-forming, tender and way ahead of its time. So pleased I downloaded it - and it’s in the Plus Catalogue - bonus!

Outstanding

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A ripping yarn from Elizabeth Gaskell brought to life by Juliet Stevenson’s faultless narration - thoroughly enjoyable

Perfect rendition of an ageless story which resonates though the centuries

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I actually found it quite gripping. I really felt for the characters and had to find out what happened. Quite a lot of Victorian moralising but also excellent social commentary.

As always Juliet Stevenson is a dream. Well worth your time if you are a fan of social history.

Very Enjoyable Social Commentary

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And the story was informative of the life and times without being at all dreary. I want to hear another Elizabeth Gaskell book now.

Brilliant narration

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The book introduced as is goes along. A very moving lady few chapters. The reader is great to listen to, with an amazing vocal variety.

Great story

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amazing narration to Gaskell classic. it brings to life Manchester in the mid 19th century better than any history book could do. weep.x

another Elizabeth Gaskell to break and heal your heart

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So easy to listen to, beautiful story well written and so well read. Enjoyed every minute.

FABULOUS.

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Absolutely wonderful book - these women writers really were the true feminists and revolutionaries of our times. I think the narrator did a great job but, for me, I wish the producers would choose those with a natural accent rather than me cringing at the grand effort made at the regional accent

True feminists

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