Mrs. Armytage, or Female Domination


Read by Helen Taylor

(4.6 stars; 36 reviews)

Mrs Armytage is a widowed landowner, spirited, independent and very much used to having her own way and exercising total dominance over her family. She is acutely aware of social distinctions, proud of her power and prestige, and stands on her dignity to the point of becoming cold, judgemental and aloof. Her character flaws bring her into conflict with her children when her son Arthur announces his choice of a wife who is very much below their rank, and much will happen before Mrs Armytage learns to repent her behaviour.

Mrs Catherine Gore was foremost among the writers of 'Silver Fork' or 'fashionable' novels, hugely popular in the early 1800s, which chronicle the romances and scandals of the upper classes during the Regency period. Her writing drew criticism from her contemporaries for being rather superficial, but even her critics acknowledged her often brilliant characterisation and gift for satire. In the present day, when Regency romances have become so popular, Mrs Gore is long overdue for a revival, and 'Mrs Armytage', one of her best works, offers rich rewards to the reader. ( Helen Taylor)

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are a considerable number of inconsistencies in the chapter numbering of the print version of this book (particularly in volume 3). The chapter numbers for the audiobook have been retained as they appear in print. (17 hr 7 min)

Chapters

Volume I, Chapter 1 11:48 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 2 12:08 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 3 15:07 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 4 16:58 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 5 18:54 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 6 17:28 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 7 12:43 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 8 13:25 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 9 21:34 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 10 33:24 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 12 17:47 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 13 16:18 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 14 16:28 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 15 15:16 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 16 13:58 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 17 20:13 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 18 14:47 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 19 13:53 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume I, Chapter 20 14:31 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 1 13:56 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 2 14:03 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 3 14:48 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 4 15:51 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 5 17:46 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 6 22:23 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 7 17:47 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 8 22:28 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 9 17:53 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 10 18:04 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 11 27:54 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 13 12:46 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 14 19:51 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 14 20:29 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 15 24:45 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume II, Chapter 16 19:39 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 1 15:43 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 2 22:44 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 3 29:33 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 4 22:01 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 5 18:06 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 5 20:24 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 6 21:53 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 6 16:20 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 7 16:25 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 11 17:18 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 12 14:11 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 13 25:33 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 13 19:55 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 14 14:59 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 16 13:36 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 17 18:01 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 18 25:58 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 19 13:49 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 20 14:38 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 21 14:07 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 22 18:22 Read by Helen Taylor
Volume III, Chapter 23 16:26 Read by Helen Taylor

Reviews

God Bless Helen Taylor


(5 stars)

As a Southern "gentleman," I have a difficult time in referring to any lady of whom I have no acquaintance by their first name. I will take that liberty (which I do hope I will be pardoned for), in thanking you for your excellent reading of this and so many other excellent examples of English literature. I do not always give the thanks you, and other volunteers at Librivox deserve for giving of your wonderful gift of voice and manner, which you add to the gift of the author. I especially enjoy your musical voice which you could probably make almost any novel interesting. As a professional musician, my ears have always been my best friends. But I do not want to get too personal for fear of insulting you with my praise. However, I thought the book was excellent and your reading of it gave me a sense of serenity which I do not often get except though music. God bless you, and Librivox!!!

Exceedingly verbose


(0.5 stars)

Overly dramatic, repetitious & depressing. Yet our LibriVox Volunteer, Helen Taylor's narrative, is in a word, superb!

Perfectly Read 19th Century Character Drama


(5 stars)

This is a great way to spend a few weeks on a commute. The story takes a long while to unwind, but we have is a fairly shrewd study of a strong willed woman who is both extremely capable and ultimately her own worst enemy. The consequences of her actions do come, but they are more subtle than typical for the era. The author's didactic narration is sometimes excessive -- resulting in a story that is actually rather grey, with flawed but interesting characters, being told as if it were a cut and dried morality tale. The reader is excellent -- she has the perfect voice for a story of posh landed UK gentry.

Masterful Reading of “meh” story


(5 stars)

Helen Taylor is an exemplary reader, even performing various accents without sounding goofy or annoying. I could listen to her read the dictionary with her even, soothing tone. Her rendition of this work made it bearable. This is a very protracted story of a truly antagonistic, narcissistic, and abhorrently proud woman who unabashedly wreaks havoc in the lives of her children—with sad consequences. But I give it 5 stars as a credit to the reader!

Drawn out


(2.5 stars)

The story was interesting & even witty for a while. It started getting boring & had too many characters mentioned. Even during the character update at the end I forgot who some of them were. Also, there's a whole lot of class snobbery throughout which is hard to keep dealing with for so many hours. Almost as annoying as the mom was her weak pathetic daughter. Use this book to help you sleep.

If you like Trollope, you'll like this


(4 stars)

This story reminded me a lot of Anthony Trollope's stories. Well put together, interesting characters - an enjoyable listen. The only thing I didn't care for was the amount of French the author expects us to know. It was common at the time, but almost incomprehensible now. Reader is excellent.

Well done! Thanks to Ms. Taylor for introducing me to Mrs Gore


(5 stars)


(5 stars)

Wonderfully fun tale read by the best, Helen Taylor