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elenavillan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Classism, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism and Animal cruelty
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While I wouldn't categorize North and South under a label so simple as "Pride and Prejudice with labor disputes" I can't deny that they're somewhat in the same vein, though the former focuses more on the labor dispute part than the Pride and Prejudice part. But it is a funny comparison.
In all honesty, I haven't grown up knowing of any of Elizabeth Gaskell's classic works. My classic knowledge isn't extensive, but North and South is right up my alley so I'm surprised that we haven't crossed paths until now.
With all of the multifaceted subjects this novel addresses, it really is quite easy to understand. I still cross referenced chapters with analyses, just to confirm that I wasn't missing anything, but the only parts that I had some issue deciphering were the dialogues presented in Darkshire dialect; the content not being so hard to digest as the slang itself.
I must say, though it wasn't necessarily the main focus of the story, I did love the romance. I appreciate that Gaskell chose to show Thornton's perspective, rather than keeping her readers in the dark. I do love a good one-sided slow burn full of yearning. I only wish that the last chapter had been a bit longer. Though, now that I've finished the original work I'm sure I'll throw myself into the 2004 BBC miniseries to satisfy any of my lingering desires.
In all honesty, I haven't grown up knowing of any of Elizabeth Gaskell's classic works. My classic knowledge isn't extensive, but North and South is right up my alley so I'm surprised that we haven't crossed paths until now.
With all of the multifaceted subjects this novel addresses, it really is quite easy to understand. I still cross referenced chapters with analyses, just to confirm that I wasn't missing anything, but the only parts that I had some issue deciphering were the dialogues presented in Darkshire dialect; the content not being so hard to digest as the slang itself.
I must say, though it wasn't necessarily the main focus of the story, I did love the romance. I appreciate that Gaskell chose to show Thornton's perspective, rather than keeping her readers in the dark. I do love a good one-sided slow burn full of yearning. I only wish that the last chapter had been a bit longer. Though, now that I've finished the original work I'm sure I'll throw myself into the 2004 BBC miniseries to satisfy any of my lingering desires.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcoholism
samarakroeger's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When Charles Dickens himself thinks your book is too long (the AUDACITY of him, honestly) ... it might be a bit too long. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much depth Elizabeth Gaskell was able to infuse in the pages of North and South. Great discussion of class, labor conflicts, gender roles, and the role of unions in Victorian Britain that is often lacking in books from a similar time (for example, I can't stand Charles Dickens).
This might be marketed as a love story, but it really isn't, at least at its core. It's so much more than that!
This might be marketed as a love story, but it really isn't, at least at its core. It's so much more than that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
Minor: Suicide
mwanamkembaya's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Religious bigotry
lydiavsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm not usually a big reader of classics so, even though I loved the series, I expected to struggle with this but oh boi I could not have been more wrong. This might genuinely be my new favourite book...of all time.
Firstly, Margaret frigidy frackin' Hale. Wow, amazing, incredible, I love her so much. I would say she needs protecting at all costs but by the end of the book that gal can protect herself. Damn.
Praise number two: the vibes. Helstone, beautiful.Manchester Milton, the atmosphere of the Northern industrial town, the factories, the poverty. Mmmm
Next up, socialism. Erm 1850s? Incredible. So good, the strikes, the contrast of the North and the South, the contrast of classes. Perfect. And once again, Margaret I'dgivehermykidneys Hale.
The character development, mainly enjoying watching Margaret slowly turning up the sass levels, but Thornton too, fabulous.
Honestly I just felt giddy the whole time reading this, every day I picked this up: instant good day. I have no criticisms, this book is perfect.
Firstly, Margaret frigidy frackin' Hale. Wow, amazing, incredible, I love her so much. I would say she needs protecting at all costs but by the end of the book that gal can protect herself. Damn.
Praise number two: the vibes. Helstone, beautiful.
Next up, socialism. Erm 1850s? Incredible. So good, the strikes, the contrast of the North and the South, the contrast of classes. Perfect. And once again, Margaret I'dgivehermykidneys Hale.
The character development, mainly enjoying watching Margaret slowly turning up the sass levels, but Thornton too, fabulous.
Honestly I just felt giddy the whole time reading this, every day I picked this up: instant good day. I have no criticisms, this book is perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, and Sexism
fa1th_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is what I imagine what a Victorian novel would be like.
I have watched the adapted BBC 2004 miniseries prior to reading the book, and I think it did me a lot of good, or else I wouldn't have such patience cracking down a 700 pages book. To put it poorly, this novel is sort of what I imagine Pride and Prejudice would be like, if it was set in the changing time of the Industrial Revolution. The world was filled with smoke and dirt, a whole lot dimmer, and death creeping in every corner. Similar premise to Austen's P&P, our heroine Margaret was the 'Prejudice' to Mr. Thornton's 'Pride', only in Gaskell's story, their opposing opinions were rooted in differences of class and in the culture. Both Margaret and Mr. Thornton were only a small fraction of the rapidly changes of time. I love what Gaskell did with her social commentary of the time, with Margaret moving from the leisure and comforting South to the cold and fast-moving North, her entire life was challenged and altered, same as her points of view.
I love Margaret as a protagonist. She was soft and kind yet strong-minded, while she began as a sheltered and prejudiced young lady living her privileged life in London, her world would soon never be peaceful again. Family troubles worried her to no end, deaths came one by one and not to mention a brother on the run with mutiny charges. At times I was so awe with her strength and resilience, because I would be in such a bad place if I'm in her shoes, this poor girl suffered so much with so many lost. With bleak changes both inside and outside of her home, Margaret was forced to grow up and be her own mistress, but she never lost hope and always strived to provide comfort to those who were in need. She was a bit haughty at first, upset by Milton's poverty and coldness, but quickly she realized her conceit and unfair judgement, and came to love Milton for what it was.
I also really love Mr. Thornton. He was a self-made man, a cotton-mill owner, which made Margaret turned her nose up at first. However, he proudly stood his ground, because he worked hard to earn his wealth and took care of his family, so his encounters with Margaret were clash of different ideas. Since I'm already using Austen as a comparison, I would like to mention that in this novel, we did get a lot more thoughts from the Mr. Thornton's point of view than Mr.Darcy. He was hopelessly in love with Margaret and it was clearly shown. Even though I must confess, as a reader in 2021, I kind of don't like Mrs. Thornton. Her attachment to her son was understandable, but sometimes she was so hostile and harsh to Margaret that I had to roll my eyes. Though Mr. Bell in the latter half behaved in a similar way as Margaret's protecter (side-note, love him, such a funny guy), thus eased off my dislike a bit, I just want her to be treated with kindness and love because she deserved all the love :'(
I enjoyed this story very much, the reason I deducted 0.5 in the rating was only because it was kind of depressing (in a typical Victorian classic literature way), so I wouldn't want to revisit it easily. Nevertheless, I'm glad that I picked it up, and I will continue with Gaskell's works whenever I'm able.
I have watched the adapted BBC 2004 miniseries prior to reading the book, and I think it did me a lot of good, or else I wouldn't have such patience cracking down a 700 pages book. To put it poorly, this novel is sort of what I imagine Pride and Prejudice would be like, if it was set in the changing time of the Industrial Revolution. The world was filled with smoke and dirt, a whole lot dimmer, and death creeping in every corner. Similar premise to Austen's P&P, our heroine Margaret was the 'Prejudice' to Mr. Thornton's 'Pride', only in Gaskell's story, their opposing opinions were rooted in differences of class and in the culture. Both Margaret and Mr. Thornton were only a small fraction of the rapidly changes of time. I love what Gaskell did with her social commentary of the time, with Margaret moving from the leisure and comforting South to the cold and fast-moving North, her entire life was challenged and altered, same as her points of view.
I love Margaret as a protagonist. She was soft and kind yet strong-minded, while she began as a sheltered and prejudiced young lady living her privileged life in London, her world would soon never be peaceful again. Family troubles worried her to no end, deaths came one by one and not to mention a brother on the run with mutiny charges. At times I was so awe with her strength and resilience, because I would be in such a bad place if I'm in her shoes, this poor girl suffered so much with so many lost. With bleak changes both inside and outside of her home, Margaret was forced to grow up and be her own mistress, but she never lost hope and always strived to provide comfort to those who were in need. She was a bit haughty at first, upset by Milton's poverty and coldness, but quickly she realized her conceit and unfair judgement, and came to love Milton for what it was.
I also really love Mr. Thornton. He was a self-made man, a cotton-mill owner, which made Margaret turned her nose up at first. However, he proudly stood his ground, because he worked hard to earn his wealth and took care of his family, so his encounters with Margaret were clash of different ideas. Since I'm already using Austen as a comparison, I would like to mention that in this novel, we did get a lot more thoughts from the Mr. Thornton's point of view than Mr.Darcy. He was hopelessly in love with Margaret and it was clearly shown. Even though I must confess, as a reader in 2021, I kind of don't like Mrs. Thornton. Her attachment to her son was understandable, but sometimes she was so hostile and harsh to Margaret that I had to roll my eyes. Though Mr. Bell in the latter half behaved in a similar way as Margaret's protecter (side-note, love him, such a funny guy), thus eased off my dislike a bit, I just want her to be treated with kindness and love because she deserved all the love :'(
I enjoyed this story very much, the reason I deducted 0.5 in the rating was only because it was kind of depressing (in a typical Victorian classic literature way), so I wouldn't want to revisit it easily. Nevertheless, I'm glad that I picked it up, and I will continue with Gaskell's works whenever I'm able.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Suicide, and Violence
rieviolet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can say that I enjoyed the reading experience, although it took me a couple of chapters to get really into the story. I often heard the book described as "Pride and Prejudice plus socialism" and, honestly, it's not such a far-off description.
I really liked the characters' depiction and their growth over the course of the story, I appreciated how the author portrayed even the ones that I didn't find particulary pleasant. There were a lot of tragedies and misfortunes that kept occuring (maybe too many, give us a break Elizabeth Gaskell please) and that really took me by surprise and moved me.
I'm not immune to a good romantic plot but I can say that I really appreciated that there was more to the novel. I really enjoyed the description and the reflections on the social reality of the time, the strike and the conditions of workers.
Still, there were some aspects that stopped me from giving full marks. There were maybe a bit too many mentions and reflections on religion that bored me a little and in part flew over my head, but that is more of a personal preference as someone who is not much of a religious person.
I can also say that the pacing felt a bit off. At times the story dragged on a bit and moved quite slowly, then,
instead, the ending felt rushed, the long-awaited resolution came very quickly and the novel ended rather abruptly.
I really liked the characters' depiction and their growth over the course of the story, I appreciated how the author portrayed even the ones that I didn't find particulary pleasant. There were a lot of tragedies and misfortunes that kept occuring (maybe too many, give us a break Elizabeth Gaskell please) and that really took me by surprise and moved me.
I'm not immune to a good romantic plot but I can say that I really appreciated that there was more to the novel. I really enjoyed the description and the reflections on the social reality of the time, the strike and the conditions of workers.
Still, there were some aspects that stopped me from giving full marks. There were maybe a bit too many mentions and reflections on religion that bored me a little and in part flew over my head, but that is more of a personal preference as someone who is not much of a religious person.
I can also say that the pacing felt a bit off. At times the story dragged on a bit and moved quite slowly, then,
instead, the ending felt rushed, the long-awaited resolution came very quickly and the novel ended rather abruptly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Police brutality
gracescanlon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Death, Grief, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicide, Sexism, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Classism, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism
libby_bebby's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
lara_bk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Terminal illness, Suicide, Grief, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail