Wives and Daughters
Wives and Daughters, serialized in the Cornhill Magazine from 1864 and left just short of its final chapter when Elizabeth Gaskell died in 1865, is set in the small town of Hollingford in the years before the Reform Act. Molly Gibson, the doctor's daughter, grows up close to her widowed father until he marries the vain, self-serving Hyacinth Kirkpatrick, who brings with her a daughter, the charming and evasive Cynthia. The novel follows the two half-sisters, the troubles of the squire's family at Hamley Hall, a secret marriage and the courtships that test Molly's loyalty. Gaskell's comedy of provincial manners and her study of character make it one of her most admired books. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Wives and Daughters
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Wives and Daughters online?
Yes. Wives and Daughters opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Wives and Daughters free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Wives and Daughters is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Wives and Daughters in the public domain?
Yes. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Wives and Daughters?
About 18 h of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Wives and Daughters?
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
