Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

49 reviews

questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a classic I've been interested in for years and I'm pleased I've actually finally read it. It did take me a long time to read because it's very slow paced at times but it's a good story and I always wanted to pick it up again. It's also a really interesting examination of social issues, many of which are still relevant today. I thought Margaret and Mr Thornton's relationship was well developed and I enjoyed the way Gaskell wrote from both of their perspectives. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

thecirclek's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I had enjoyed a miniseries adaptation of this book many years ago and decided to give it a read (well, a listen). Overall it was fine, though in many passages there was a lot of redundancy. (How many times did I have to hear about her "pleading eyes"?!). I enjoyed some of the humor, and the development of the central romance was okay. I would warn sensitive readers that out of nowhere in the last act was a really horrifying description of intentional animal cruelty--just terrible. This was okay, but not quite as fun or well-written as I'd hoped.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent

calliopereads's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

katewhite77's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

5.0

One of the best books I have read this year. 

A simply wonderful book, narated brilliantly by Juliet Stevenson. I would say that this sits at the mid point between Austin and Dickens. Not as bleak as Dickens but not as light and fluffy as Austin.

It has absolutely everything Comedy, Tragedy, Industrial Unrest Classism and Romace. Oh the romance and kindness. All written with such lightness of touch. 

I never put my self down as someone who could be blown away by a Victorian novel as much as a contemporary one but I now have. 

Please anyone who carers about the world both then and now reaad or listen to masterpiece.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism

ididnotmakeapie's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

naomi_k's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Suicide, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry

raoulalexander's review against another edition

adventurous 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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicide and Terminal illness

mariasilva's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Alcoholism

columnclub's review

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

There's a lot of interesting stuff here, but it felt a little lukewarm overall, in both the politics and the romance. I did love the last few lines, though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism

Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship

mariebastien's review

informative 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Death of parent