Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel was serialized in Cornhill Magazine from 1864 to 1866, and completed by her editor posthumously. It looks at English life in the 1830s through the experiences of Molly Gibson, the daughter of a widowed doctor growing up in the provincial town of Hollingford. When Mr. Gibson decides to marry again, Molly is forced to contend with a pretentious stepmother, but consoled by a close friendship with Cynthia, her new stepsister. The girls' relations with the local residents, particularly the Squire of Hamley Hall and his family, make for incidents comic, romantic, and tragic, by turns. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)
Chapters
1
01 - The Dawn of a Gala Day Read by Elizabeth Klett 21:02
2
02 - A Novice Amongst the Great Folk Read by Elizabeth Klett 36:48
3
03 - Molly Gibson's Childhood Read by Elizabeth Klett 17:07
4
04 - Mr. Gibson's Neighbors Read by Elizabeth Klett 29:23
5
05 - Calf-Love Read by Elizabeth Klett 29:06
6
06 - A Visit to the Hamleys Read by Elizabeth Klett 32:45
7
07 - Foreshadows of Love Perils Read by Elizabeth Klett 16:58
8
08 - Drifting Into Danger Read by Elizabeth Klett 31:15
9
09 - The Widower and the Widow Read by Elizabeth Klett 20:30
10
10 - A Crisis Read by Elizabeth Klett 42:59
11
11 - Making Friendship Read by Elizabeth Klett 37:10
12
12 - Preparing for the Wedding Read by Elizabeth Klett 19:28
13
13 - Molly Gibson's New Friends Read by Elizabeth Klett 24:58
14
14 - Molly Finds Herself Patronized Read by Elizabeth Klett 30:48
15
15 - The New Mamma Read by Elizabeth Klett 18:43
16
16 - The Bride at Home Read by Elizabeth Klett 21:49
17
17 - Trouble at Hamley Hall Read by Elizabeth Klett 25:45
18
18 - Mr. Osborne's Secret Read by Elizabeth Klett 30:14
19
19 - Cynthia's Arrival Read by Elizabeth Klett 26:23
20
20 - Mrs. Gibson's Visitors Read by Elizabeth Klett 20:23
21
21 - The Half-Sisters Read by Elizabeth Klett 31:48
22
22 - The Old Squire's Troubles Read by Elizabeth Klett 25:01
23
23 - Osborne Hamley Reviews His Position Read by Elizabeth Klett 19:58
24
24 - Mrs. Gibson's Little Dinner Read by Elizabeth Klett 14:40
25
25 - Hollingford in a Bustle Read by Elizabeth Klett 19:22
26
26 - A Charity Ball Read by Elizabeth Klett 40:46
27
27 - Fathers and Sons Read by Elizabeth Klett 17:18
28
28 - Rivalry Read by Elizabeth Klett 28:29
29
29 - Bush-Fighting Read by Elizabeth Klett 32:03
30
30 - Old Ways and New Ways Read by Elizabeth Klett 19:39
31
31 - A Passive Coquette Read by Elizabeth Klett 20:59
32
32 - Coming Events Read by Elizabeth Klett 31:22
33
33 - Brightening Prospects Read by Elizabeth Klett 16:22
34
34 - A Lover's Mistake Read by Elizabeth Klett 20:18
35
35 - The Mother's Maneuver Read by Elizabeth Klett 32:44
36
36 - Domestic Diplomacy Read by Elizabeth Klett 13:48
37
37 - A Fluke, and What Came of It Read by Elizabeth Klett 31:41
38
38 - Mr. Kirkpatrick, Q.C. Read by Elizabeth Klett 24:17
39
39 - Secret Thoughts Ooze Out Read by Elizabeth Klett 28:10
40
40 - Molly Gibson Breathes Freely Read by Elizabeth Klett 19:33
41
41 - Gathering Clouds Read by Elizabeth Klett 28:04
42
42 - The Storm Bursts Read by Elizabeth Klett 21:14
43
43 - Cynthia's Confession Read by Elizabeth Klett 23:32
44
44 - Molly Gibson to the Rescue Read by Elizabeth Klett 23:27
45
45 - Confidences Read by Elizabeth Klett 21:30
46
46 - Hollingford Gossips Read by Elizabeth Klett 20:48
47
47 - Scandal and its Victims Read by Elizabeth Klett 27:16
48
48 - An Innocent Culprit Read by Elizabeth Klett 22:38
49
49 - Molly Gibson Finds a Champion Read by Elizabeth Klett 21:27
50
50 - Cynthia at Bay Read by Elizabeth Klett 29:24
51
51 - Troubles Never Come Alone Read by Elizabeth Klett 21:09
52
52 - Squire Hamley's Sorrow Read by Elizabeth Klett 30:21
53
53 - Unlooked-For Arrivals Read by Elizabeth Klett 26:12
54
54 - Molly Gibson's Worth is Discovered Read by Elizabeth Klett 26:54
55
55 - An Absent Lover Returns Read by Elizabeth Klett 22:13
56
56 - Off With the Old Love, and On With the New Read by Elizabeth Klett 19:31
57
57 - Bridal Visits and Adieux Read by Elizabeth Klett 23:07
58
58 - Reviving Hopes and Brightening Prospects Read by Elizabeth Klett 23:15
59
59 - Molly Gibson at Hamley Hall Read by Elizabeth Klett 22:21
60
60 - Roger Hamley's Confession/Concluding Remarks Read by Elizabeth Klett 41:22
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens gutenberg.org) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
