Reviews

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

sj_books's review against another edition

4.0

One of the better classics, my favourite

kimouise's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

4.5

_shonahenderson's review

challenging emotional 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

4.5

cardansloml's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.0

fizzboz's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Moving depiction of life across society during the Industrial Revolution. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys personal, fictional narratives which also give a strong sense of history. It is a very emotional book, and some of the trials which characters face are genuinely tragic and realistic. However, Gaskell writes with an empathy and purpose which underlines the tragedy and, I found, makes the book a worthwhile read.

renee_cherry's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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? No

3.5

reclusivebookslug's review against another edition

I've been struggling with reading lately and just couldn't get into this. I'll have to return to it later.

hadeanstars's review against another edition

4.0

A very interesting experience, most of all for the insights into social history during the industrial revolution and some of the contemporary insights into town vs. country, and the rise of materialism. Labour relations and the first cries of a burgeoning socialist consciousness are here too. It is well written and engaging, however, its weakness lies, for me at least, in the sense that there is a love story tacked onto the whole narrative that never seems to fit or feel comfortable. In short, I did not believe it, but there is much to admire here even so. 7/10

cinnamonmarti's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

This is a worthy classic that was obviously written with great care and a keen eye for the social and political changes happening during the Industrial revolution.
It might have been a case of "right book, wrong time" for me, because I wasn't captured by the story as much as I'd hoped -- I guess I was expecting something more akin to Austen and Bronte's romance novels. Still, there is no arguing with the great writing and characterisation work here. Margaret is a gem and the star of this novel! 

jenwacasey's review against another edition

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

3.0