Owing to the prowess of author Elizabeth Gaskell and the editing help of Charles Dickens, "Cranford" became one of the most popular novels to emerge from the 1800s. Like many well-known classics, Gaskell's book gained attention through publication as a series, featured in the magazine "Household Words". The novel provides insight and a bit of satire regarding the everyday humdrum in small towns. "Cranford" is separated into 16 chapters, opening with a snapshot of Captain Brown and his two daughters who live in the book's namesake town: Cranford. The gossipy women of the town are slow to accept Brown socially, but they eventually welcome him into their circles. Captain Brown is later injured, and the responsibility of the house falls on his younger daughter.
This week, the audio book version of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford has made it into the top 50 bestsellers in the Fiction category. You can legally download or stream this audio book and listen to it for free at Spotify, Deezer, and in high quality at Audible.