Category: Audiobooks

North and South is set in the fictional industrial town of Milton in the North of England. Forced to leave her home in the tranquil rural south, Margaret Hale settles with her parents in Milton where she witnesses the brutal world wrought by the industrial revolution and employers and workers clashing in the first organized strikes. Sympathetic to the poor whose courage and tenacity she admires and among whom she makes friends, she clashes with John Thornton, a cotton mill manufacturer who belongs to the nouveaux riches and whose contemptuous attitude to workers Margaret despises. Thornton also happens to be a pupil, and good friend, of her father, so Margaret must strive to at least be civil when he comes to call at their home. As the novel continues Margaret grows in her understanding of the complexity of labor relations and their impact on well-meaning mill owners, and her conflicted relationship with John Thornton. At one point Thornton proposes to her, but she refuses him. Later, he sees her with her fugitive brother, whom he mistakes for another suitor, and this creates further unresolved conflict. Margaret, once she believes she has lost his affection, begins to see him in another light, and eventually they are reunited.

18 Hours and 56 Minutes

You must be logged in to view this content.

Log in here or Join now to get full access to our audiobook library.

Northanger Abbey follows Catherine Morland and family friends Mr. and Mrs. Allen as they visit Bath, England. Seventeen year-old Catherine spends her time visiting newly-made friends, such as Isabella Thorpe, and going to balls. Catherine finds herself pursued by Isabella's brother John Thorpe (Catherine's brother James's friend from university), and by Henry Tilney. She also becomes friends with Eleanor Tilney, Henry's younger sister. Henry captivates her with his view on novels and his knowledge of history and the world. General Tilney (Henry and Eleanor's father) invites Catherine to visit their estate, Northanger Abbey, which, because she has been reading Ann Radcliffe's gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho, Catherine expects to be dark, ancient and full of fantastical mystery.

6 Hours and 56 Minutes

You must be logged in to view this content.

Log in here or Join now to get full access to our audiobook library.

"Please sir, I want some more," the famous line spoken by Oliver Twist at age nine, becomes the tipping point of a huge change in Oliver's life. He is soon captured into the service of Fagin and his gang of pick-pocketing boys. But, Mr. Brownlow saves him from arrest, and for the first time in his young life Oliver finds comfort and caring. Unfortunately, he is recaptured into the seedy and disgusting world he had escaped, and meets with Bill Sykes, a dangerous criminal. There are numerous delightful or wicked characters that carry the story along, such as the Artful Dodger-- a boy of the streets under Fagin, Mr. Bumble the Beadle, looking for ways to get rid of Oliver, Nancy who makes a fateful betrayal, and the Maylies, whose affection Oliver craves. The author's descriptions of the back street life in London, bring us full force into the crushing poverty and the terrible way in which poor people were treated during that time. Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist as a serial in 1837, and it is considered one of the most popular in English literature.

14 Hours and 54 Minutes.

You must be logged in to view this content.

Log in here or Join now to get full access to our audiobook library.

Persuasion is a regency Cinderella-esque tale of a young woman, the beautiful Anne Elliot, who is persuaded from marrying the Naval officer of her heart. It is now almost nine years since she rejected him. Bonaparte has abdicated and England’s sailors return home covered in glory. Fredrick Wentworth is now a rich and highly eligible sea captain and the two are curiously thrown together. Will their forgotten affection blossom anew? Or has the captain found another?

7 Hours and 13 Minutes

You must be logged in to view this content.

Log in here or Join now to get full access to our audiobook library.

Pollyanna is the beloved classic tale of Pollyanna Whittier, a young orphaned girl who goes to live with her wealthy Aunt Polly after her father’s death. Pollyanna’s philosophy of life centers around what she calls “The Glad Game”, taught to her by her father: she always tries to find something to be glad about in every situation, and to always do without delay whatever she thinks is right. With this philosophy, and her unfailingly cheerful personality, she brings so much gladness to her aunt’s dispirited New England town that she transforms it into a pleasant, joyful place to live. When she tragically loses the use of her legs in an accident, even Pollyanna’s robust optimism is put to the test. She becomes isolated and depressed, believing that she has lost her innate happiness. The townspeople, so touched by her influence in their lives, rally to cheer her, and help bring her back to her sunny disposition.

6 Hours and 44 Minutes

You must be logged in to view this content.

Log in here or Join now to get full access to our audiobook library.

Now cured from her spinal injury, Pollyanna shares the “Glad Game” with new friends in Boston. It seems she may not be able to touch the heart of one new friend, however. The bitter and depressed Mrs. Ruth Carew, who Pollyanna goes to live with for the winter while her Aunt Polly and Dr. Chilton travel to Europe, seems beyond the charms of Pollyanna’s ways. Will Pollyanna be able to reach her, and bring back joy to Ruth’s heart?

There are other new friends in Boston, as well: Della the nurse, Sadie, and the crippled orphan Jamie. As always, our heroine has a knack for touching hearts and making friends. But, growing up brings sorrows as well as joys. Pollyanna must face hard times when she returns home to her Aunt Polly; Dr. Chilton, her uncle, has died and Aunt Polly struggles with the burden of trying to make ends meet. Even Pollyanna seems to have a hard time maintaining her usual cheerful outlook. As there is with most growing up stories, this tale includes romance. With three prospective suitors, Pollyanna has a hard choice to make. As one would expect with the girl who epitomizes happiness in every circumstance, the book ends with lots of happy endings.

8 Hours and 48 Minutes

You must be logged in to view this content.

Log in here or Join now to get full access to our audiobook library.

One of the most universally loved and admired English novels, Pride and Prejudice, is easily a favorite amongst the works of Jane Austen. Set in England in the early 19th century, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s five unmarried daughters and the parents’, especially the hovering, perpetually in a state of nerves mother’s attempt to marry their daughters well. Very soon into the book the rich and eligible Mr. Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr. Darcy, have moved into their neighborhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with the second-eldest Bennet daughter, Elizabeth, both of them suffering from their own forms of pride and prejudices. Darcy, against all his norms, difference in social standing, family wishes for him, etc. , falls in love with her, only to be rejected when he proposes, due to her vast misjudgment of his true character. Over time she begins to see where she has been wrong, but can she learn to love him, will he still love her, can they both overcome all that has previously stood against them to make a happy life together? Austen’s unbeatable skill at writing weaves a tale with many enjoyable characters, delightful humor, suspenseful moments, and true and unmitigated love.

10 Hours and 40 Minutes

You must be logged in to view this content.

Log in here or Join now to get full access to our audiobook library.