Cousin Phillis

Abrupt Ending

(3 stars)

Savannah

As always, Gaskell is a delightful author. She managed to keep my attention through a story that probably would have been boring if written by anyone else. The narrator did a wonderful job as well, and did fun accents for each character. I was dissapointed in the ending though. It felt a little abrupt, and there really wasn't any closure or explanation as to why Paul even tells the story in the first place.

Cousin Phillis...

(5 stars)

TheBookworm

... is a beautifully written short novel. The story is uncomplicated, which adds to its effectiveness since one can't lost as I occasionally do in some Victorian novels' multitudinous plot lines. The characters are very skillfully drawn, becoming more complex as the tale unfolds. All in all, a small masterpiece of literature. Digression ahead: I sometimes pick up a book on the Guardian's best seller list and it's interesting to note how rarely (Stephen King excepted) they come up to the quality of a writer like Gaskell who doesn't need gimmicks or deus ex machina. Thank goodness for secondhand book shops and ebooks on archive.org Elizabeth Klett is an excellent narrator. I've used up my store of adjectives in previous reviews of her work. Her southern English accents are very creditable to the ears of this native speaker. She even attempts Brummy in this reading which, as a Mancunian, I would never do! TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)

Really lovely..!!

(3.5 stars)

ms.biblio

The story of a young teen and her first love was really a treat to read and listen to... Phillis is so full of life but was shattered once she found out her first love married another woman once he had gone away to Canada. Paul from whose pov the narrative is given is very fond of his sweet cousin. Though he was the bearer of both the good and bad news, he couldn't help but stay by his cousins side in the hour of need. really enjoyed this short book and Gaskell never fails to make me fall in love with her works again.

good character development.

(4 stars)

Bobocel

after read other books by ECG I decided to try this one as it was praised do highly as one of the best works in short stories. I felt like there was little plot. I almost quit halfway through because I felt like it wasn't going anywhere but decided to keep going because the character were well developed. I do admire how the author used a single perspective of an (not very bright) third party to develop characters and tell a story. the reader is phenomenal as always. Thank your Elizabeth Klett! Keep reading. I'm a big fan

Well read, nice light romance with a very abrupt end.

(4 stars)

TLocke

A shorter 4 hour listen by a favorite new-found author. excellent i defining the feel, pace, and seasonality of working farms.. then as today for the few that remain. enjoyed the book and characters but the end came quite suddenly...although in retrospect after my annoyance it is, after all not as sharp when reconsidered in the limited time and characters of the novel. well read, by which I mean I forgot there was a narrator at all.

(3 stars)

Dances with Prose

Frustrating reading. I found too many discrepancies in the depiction of Phillis’s character. As a reader, I felt that the story was not adequately developed to warrant such melodramatic behavior of the main characters. Furthermore, as a reader, I was not able to develop any emotional connection with Phillis - my attitude towards her remained neutral to the end. Idyllic portal of rural life. My conclusion- a very frustrating short story. On the positive note- excellent reading, superb writing style.

a sweet story of early love

(4 stars)

jaded_grl

a short story that is very well read. but one thing of note, the reader is female BUT try to keep in mind that the actual narrator of the story (the main character) is male. i was confused for the first part before i realized it was a male! but the story is sweet and simple and ends very realistically, some may like it and some may not... i felt it was fitting.

worth the time - possibly wide audience

(5 stars)

sweet earth

Insightful and interesting look at 1) the history of emerging educated nurtured woman who deals with ups and downs of falling in love; 2) changing roles of ministry/ministers; 3) how new technologies of the era affected work and mobility Good basic writing techniques and tools. Very good read/listen. Reader has lovely voice and strong portrayal abilities. I will look for other works read by her! Thank you. :-)