Victorians! discussion
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Wives and Daughters
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I am going to join this. Librivox has it as a free audiobook
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I receided my paperback copy one week ago, French version, and I can already tell you it's an excellent version because... I started it! :)
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I have just downloaded it free on to kindle. I read it years ago but am very keen to read it again. I'm indulging myself in another lot of novels at the moment so shall be able to wait until January 1st to begin reading this one.
There are five versions of the book in audio on Audible.com, with five different narrators. Does any one of you know them and can you recommend one of the narrators?I am abroad and away from my library. I will read the book myself, when I am back. :)
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I haven't heard Prunella Scales but I know her from TV and movies, so she is probably quite good as well.
I'm also going to recommend Elizabeth Klett at Librivox again. She's terrific and the audio is free since into a public domain title.
This is a favorite book of mine. I've read it twice already.I enjoyed the Barnes and Noble classics paperback. The introduction by Amy M. King was helpful in indicating the themes to look for and in discussing the author's choice of setting this story in an earlier time period: at the cusp of the railroad era -- before the Victorian Era reached a breakneck speed in its velocity of forwarding change.
I've started listening to the Elizabeth Klett version from Librivox. She is great as a narrator. Very expressive and she uses lots of different voices!
Just a question. So how do we work this discussion? Do we put spoiler brackets around things until the end of the week? I started to listen up to chapter 6 but I don't want to ruin it for others.
Renee wrote: "I've listened to Nadia May and she's quite good. I'm also going to recommend Elizabeth K..."
Thank you Renee. I am surprised that I missed your recommendation, I should have read that. Perhaps my head is truly soaked in a holiday pond. :)
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Renee wrote: "The Librivox reader for Version 2 is Elizabeth Klett. This is an exceptionally good reading. :)"The only thing is - I haven’t succeded downloading neither the webpage nor the podcast fron Librivox. Maybe other readers will have the same problem.
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My next idea is to try YouTube. Many of the Librivox recordings can be found there, as well. I just don't know which ones.
I’m so old fashioned. I prefer to look at the words and not hear them. LOL.
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Hahaha! I have yet to plunge into audio books myself. So far I have had no inclination to do so. To me part of the joy of reading is to linger over a sentence or paragraph when something strikes me. To slow down when the narrative gets dense, or to savor a particularly beautiful passage. When one just listens you don't have this type of interaction with the book.
Kerstin, you said it so well. I’ll have to steal it to explain my own preferences.
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But for me, it is a matter of expediency. As much as I love to hold a book in my hands and to enjoy all the things you've listed, I simply wouldn't have books in my life on most days without audiobooks. They free my hands for other endeavors while my mind enjoys all the lovely words and stories. Additionally, some readers truly add an artistry of their own, which I especially enjoy on a reread.)
I think there is much to be said for both formats. Luckily, we live in an age where hardcover, paperback, ebooks, audiobooks on CD, and audio files are available so we can each enjoy our lovely lovely books as best suits our lifestyles, available opportunities, and preferences. :)
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But for me, it is a matter of expediency. As much as I love to hold a book in my hands and to enjoy..."
I get that. I like listen to talks while doing chores around the house and yard. There is nothing like being intellectually engaged while doing mindless work :)
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Plus, many news apps let you listen to shows that give you a break from depressing news.
Wives and Daughters has been on my to read list for a while. I'm looking foreword to reading along with everyone!
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There is a Project Gutenberg edition online too.
Yay! I’m so excited to begin 2018 with Elizabeth Gaskell and a buddy read with all of you!! It’s my first in this group :) I have the Oxford World’s Classics paperback ready to go!
I was on chapter 8 when I remembered there was a reading schedule! So I made myself stop so I can be on track with everyone else. I'm listening to the Librivox version with Elizabeth Klett who is one of my favorite readers.
Hello all! I'll be joining the group discussion as well starting today. I'll be following along the free versions on my kindle and via the Project Gutenberg site.
I too just realized I never looked at the schedule although I saw the discussion had begun. I am reading my LibriVox edition and plan to read with the group. Hello, Everyone!
Renee wrote: "The Librivox reader for Version 2 is Elizabeth Klett. This is an exceptionally good reading. :)"Thank you for your recommendation! Yes, it is exceptionally good! I am impressed with her different voices for each person.
(I will cancel my trial subscription with Audible. It wasn’t easy to download the book with my free trial. I also wanted to find another popular book and it was not available at Audible. Then found it on my library’s resource for audio-books!)
Have my book... going to join this discussion. 😁
Renee wrote: "Beautifully said, Kerstin. I completely agree that the written word Is a delight like no other. But for me, it is a matter of expediency. As much as I love to hold a book in my hands and to enjoy..."
Renee, Martin, Kerstin,
I never listened to an audiobook! There are very few in France, and mostly dedicated to blind persons. It's very unusual to listen to an audiobook when you're able to read. So a huge book like Wives and Daughter in French isn't ready to become an audiobook: there are more words in French than in English for the same phrase; my French version (Femmes et Filles) is 660 pages and 1 kilo 100 grammes which are more than 2.400lb. When one has rheumatisms in arms and hands like me, it is very heavy! :) So I understand that an audiobook has its advantages...
However, I'm sure I prefer to read by myself, I'm so independent!
The whole 'to audiobook or not' is a very interesting discussion. I often try to read along with an audiobook so that I get the best of both worlds. Of course, it is inevitable that the audiobook reader/narrator will put her/his own interpretation into the words. I really like to find a reader that I really love, but it's not always easy. An excellent reader can make a story. I have, all too often, had to follow the 'I've started so I'll finish' principle. Unfortunately, the negative effect on my impression of the book lasts.I know that the easiest way would be simply to read it by myself but this can be a challenge, as Renee mentions, when life doesn't seem to have enough hours in the day. Anyhow, I have this on Kindle (handy but I do love a paper book!) so I hope that I can get a reasonably good audio. Here's hoping!
I am glad I am back home and have a real book in my lap.It did solve some practical problems, that I could easily download the podcast and the e-book while abroad. An e-book also has the advantage that if you are in a dark room in winter and the lighting bulbs are not good, the iPad is lit by itself. And you can choose a larger font. I almost had my experience with another book ruined because of the narrator in the audio-version. So not all of them are good enough.
Gabrielle, why are you not reading the book in English?
I meant to join this group read and was really looking forward to it, but so far I've only read four chapters. I just wanted to check in and say that I'll try to catch up this weekend. Life has been busier than expected and I am also reading Ulysses with another group (fortunately over three months) and while I am kind of enjoying it, it is also sort of frying my brain. I am looking forward to seeking refuge from stream of consciousness and modernism in 19th century writing.
I LOVE this book. And the mini-series done with Francesca Annis. She does a spin on the step-mother that makes her more goofy than mean.
Teresa wrote: "I LOVE this book. And the mini-series done with Francesca Annis. She does a spin on the step-mother that makes her more goofy than mean."I love that series too. I thought Annis was a bit too mature and plain to play the pretty 30-something Mrs K, but she is a great actress. Roger was far too good looking, Mr Preston wasn't good looking enough, but everyone else was perfectly cast, and the whole production was a delight to watch. Just a shame it's not on Netflix, I shall have to dust off my dvd version and watch it again.
Week 1: 1 Jan – 7 Jan: Chapters I – VII
Week 2: 8 Jan – 14 Jan: Chapters VIII – XIII
Week 3: 15 Jan – 21 Jan: Chapters XIV – XX
Week 4: 22 Jan – 28 Jan: Chapters XXI – XXVII
Week 5: 29 Jan – 4 Feb: Chapters XXVIII – XXXV
Week 6: 5 Feb – 11 Feb: Chapters XXXVI – XLIII
Week 7: 12 Feb – 18 Feb: Chapters XLIV – LII
Week 8: 19 Feb – 25 Feb: Chapters LIII - LX