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b'Tonight, we\\u2019ll read the opening to \\u201cCranford\\u201d, a novel by the English writer Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1853. The work slowly became popular and from the start of the 20th century it saw a number of dramatic treatments for the stage, the radio and TV.\\nThe fictional town of \\u201cCranford\\u201d is based on the author\\u2019s childhood home town of Knutsford in England. The stories within portray the old-fashioned class snobbery prevalent in country towns at the time. Charles Dickens encouraged Gaskell to turn her stories into the completed novel.\\nIf you enjoy this episode, be sure to listen to our August 2021 episode \\u201cNorth and South\\u201d from the same author.\\n\\u2014 read by V \\u2014\\nSign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to\\xa0snoozecast.com/plus!\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'