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edwardian_girl_next_door's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is a little slice of life from a provincial English village told with a loose plot centering on the everyday events that befall its inhabitants. While very charming and funny, the book also contains profoundly sad elements -- regrets, loses, follies, and traumas that characterise the human experience. It is as lighthearted as it is serious, in its sweet Victorian way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Minor: Colonisation and Physical abuse
bel017's review against another edition
slow-paced
This reminded me of my Nanna. Holding one's head up despite poverty, meeting social norms, and being excited over a new bonnet. I know it's a satire, but it's a kind and gentle satire. At first I was worried it was going to be miserable, as there were several deaths, but they petered out and were replaced with the quiet village life that I'd been expecting. I really enjoyed the second half of the book.
I'm glad I bought the Penguin 'clothbound classic' as it comes with a lot of extra information that added context and helped me better understand the setting and content of the stories. These extras include a long intro, a final story, a glossary, extensive endnotes, letters written by Gaskell, and an essay on clothing mentioned in the stories.
I'm glad I bought the Penguin 'clothbound classic' as it comes with a lot of extra information that added context and helped me better understand the setting and content of the stories. These extras include a long intro, a final story, a glossary, extensive endnotes, letters written by Gaskell, and an essay on clothing mentioned in the stories.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
madamenovelist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Racism, Terminal illness, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
There are brief racist and Christian-centric references about other races/religions but particularly “Saracens” and “Indians” and nomadic “outsiders” common in 1800s English lit. Also a fear-mongering story referencing a crossdressing thief that’s vaguely homophobic/transphobic.
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