The Christmas Hirelings
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The Christmas Hirelings
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Narrated by:
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Jennifer Saunders
About this listen
A heartwarming festive tale of redemption and cheer, The Christmas Hirelings is the story of a lonely widower who reluctantly invites a group of children to his manor for Christmas. It showcases the benefits of opening your doors and hearts during the holiday season.
About the Book
First published in 1893, The Christmas Hirelings is a delightful short tale of compassion and redemption. With his sole surviving daughter Sybil estranged, and his wife passed away, there is a deficit of Christmas cheer in the near-vacant country mansion of Sir John Penlyon. In an attempt to improve the festive mood, Sir John’s good friend Mr Danby suggests that three children be 'hired' over the Christmas period in the hope of brightening the mood. After overcoming his initial reluctance, Sir John soon opens the doors of Penlyon Castle to Lassie, Laddie and little Moppet. Their arrival does more than signal the coming of Christmas however, as Sir John finds himself re-evaluating his past actions.
About the Author
Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a popular English author who earned success in the Victorian era with her sensation novels. Born in London in 1835, she was raised by her mother Fanny after her parents’ separation. She began working as an actress as a teenager, but after eight years, and with declining popularity and waning interest, she instead turned to writing. Her prolific output resulted in over 80 novels, 150 short stories, as well as plays and articles. Braddon is best known for her novel Lady Audley’s Secret, which combined elements of the detective novel, the psychological thriller and the romantic comedy to become one of the most successful novels of the 19th century.
About the Narrator
Jennifer Saunders is a national comedy icon and a much loved TV star. She has a host of awards to her name including five BAFTA Awards, two International Emmy Awards and four British Comedy Awards, to name a few. She is most well known for her French and Saunders comedy duo, Absolutely Fabulous and her work with Comic Relief. Jennifer’s voice credits include Shrek 2, Minions, Stick Man, Sing and Moominvalley.
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Listen to clips from this audiobook
- The Christmas Hirelings
- By:Mary Elizabeth Braddon
- Narrated by:Jennifer Saunders
- The Christmas Hirelings
- By:Mary Elizabeth Braddon
- Narrated by:Jennifer Saunders
- The Christmas Hirelings
- By:Mary Elizabeth Braddon
- Narrated by:Jennifer Saunders
- The Christmas Hirelings
- By:Mary Elizabeth Braddon
- Narrated by:Jennifer Saunders
- The Christmas Hirelings
- By:Mary Elizabeth Braddon
- Narrated by:Jennifer Saunders
- The Christmas Hirelings
- The meaning of Christmas
- The Christmas Hirelings
- A holiday for the children
- The Christmas Hirelings
- Sir John's troublesome bad mood
- The Christmas Hirelings
- Excitement mounts on Christmas Eve
- The Christmas Hirelings
- Wise words from Moppet
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Jennifer Saunders
- Audible Sessions: FREE Exclusive Interview
- By: Robin Morgan-Bentley
- Narrated by: Jennifer Saunders
- Length: 12 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 93
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 82
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 80
Joining us in the Audible Studios to talk about her narration of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s The Christmas Hirelings is BAFTA Award-winning British actress Jennifer Saunders. Appearing on our screens since the '80s, Jennifer has written numerous scripts for film, television and stage as well as appearing in many of them. Known for her starring roles in Absolutely Fabulous and French and Saunders, Jennifer Saunders has had an incredible career to date.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant
- By Amazon Customer on 18-12-18
An interview with Jennifer Saunders
In this exclusive Audible Sessions interview, Jennifer Saunders introduces us to the story of the Christmas Hirelings and the emotional connection she had with it. She also shares her love for an overlooked Christmas food and her thoughts on what Edina from Absolutely Fabulous would make of audiobooks.
Download the interview for free.
Behind the scenes with Jennifer Saunders
The actress and accomplished voice artist talks about recording this year's Christmas GiftWhat listeners say about The Christmas Hirelings
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mollyeyre
- 14-12-18
An absolute delight
This was such a sweet tale, and Jennifer Saunders narrated beautifully. I hadn't come across this story and really loved it. Thank you Audible!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle CustomerJen Jen
- 16-01-19
heartwarming
I loved this book.
it was an absolute joy to listen to
Jennifer Saunders was really the nest narrator.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- J. Kilpin
- 20-01-19
OK for free
The story was quite good and easy to listen to. Slightly unbelievable but pleasent to read and sufficiently interesting to keep me reading to the end. Nicely read and I could easily imagine the scenes.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pauline Salomons
- 28-12-20
Sweet Christmas Family Messsge
Beautiful story of family love and redemption. Jennifer Saunders was a brilliant narrator. Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janet Bee
- 14-01-20
Enjoyed
I enjoyed this little story which had a happy ending.
Nicely read by Jennifer Saunders.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- timi
- 03-04-20
A very good children focused story. I think its ok
I liked the story and the fact it was a Christmas gift from audible uk
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Steph H
- 03-03-19
Very enjoyable listen
What a sweet little story, it has the usual silliness by aristocrats and the eventual warming of hearts.
A very nice listen.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- suze
- 31-01-19
Heartwarming
This book was a free gift from Audible just before Christmas. A heartwarming Christmas story well narrated by Jennifer Saunders. I enjoyed it despite the characters being a little 2-dimensional and story line predictable. Thank you Audible.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 23-12-18
Lovely little story
Lovely little story, really enjoyed listening while getting ready for Christmas. Easy to listen to.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Hugh M. Clarke
- 02-01-19
Transformation of Character
This book reminds me of the Tolstoy story, 'The Death of Ivan Illich'. It is the story of a ageing man, whose heart of opened by the relationship thrust upon him by a child. It is well read by Jennifer Saunders.
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