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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
An amazing book about the rise of industry, love, and the very human relationships between very different people.
Interesting, I mostly enjoyed it, but there were a few times when it seemed to lag.
Most of the people who recommended I read this book often compared Elizabeth Gaskell to Jane Austen and both I agree and disagree with that comparison. While Austen was an astute observer who included her witty remarks about the society she wrote about, her works are focussed majorly on the love lives of her characters. (There's nothing wrong with that. Austen happens to be one of my favourite authors.) However, Gaskell's North and South talks about the socio-economic and political conflict between the people of the industrial north and the rural south.
While there is a love story at the centre of the novel, the narrative very rarely is about the feelings of the main character and her love interest. The book follows Margaret Hale as she comes to understand the complexities of the relations between mill-owners and their labour. Her feelings towards John Thornton, the love interest in this book, are also heavily influenced by the economic conditions of the striking mill-workers.
There's a lot of commentary about the new rich (the Thornton's), those whose money comes from trade and manufacturing stemming from the Industrial Revolution, and the old rich (the Shaw's- the family Margaret grew up with). I think a reread is required to understand all the topics that Gaskell explores in this book. All in all, I found the experience of reading this book very enlightening.
While there is a love story at the centre of the novel, the narrative very rarely is about the feelings of the main character and her love interest. The book follows Margaret Hale as she comes to understand the complexities of the relations between mill-owners and their labour. Her feelings towards John Thornton, the love interest in this book, are also heavily influenced by the economic conditions of the striking mill-workers.
There's a lot of commentary about the new rich (the Thornton's), those whose money comes from trade and manufacturing stemming from the Industrial Revolution, and the old rich (the Shaw's- the family Margaret grew up with). I think a reread is required to understand all the topics that Gaskell explores in this book. All in all, I found the experience of reading this book very enlightening.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another rating that’s well after I finished the book. (Oh well) This was a book I picked up after watching the BBC miniseries on Amazon. I initially thought it would be about the civil war (there is another book/movie sharing the same title set in the civil war) but I was hugely mistaken. I found myself in England.
I picked up the book after loving the miniseries so, and who would’ve thought I ended up loving the book just as much, if not more.
The dynamic between the leads was my favorite part. Especially Thornton falling for her quite instantly, I absolutely feel in love with his character. Margaret was a beautifully done female lead. Her relationship with the Higgins was a part of the story that I really liked. It wasn’t just a romance but also a story about what industrialization in England was like as well as how the people were being treated. I’m not saying that it’s the most accurate or best place to get your knowledge about this period of history but it’s a captivating part of the story non the less.
I would highly recommend if you enjoy period pieces or books such as Jane Austens.
Another rating that’s well after I finished the book. (Oh well) This was a book I picked up after watching the BBC miniseries on Amazon. I initially thought it would be about the civil war (there is another book/movie sharing the same title set in the civil war) but I was hugely mistaken. I found myself in England.
I picked up the book after loving the miniseries so, and who would’ve thought I ended up loving the book just as much, if not more.
The dynamic between the leads was my favorite part. Especially Thornton falling for her quite instantly, I absolutely feel in love with his character. Margaret was a beautifully done female lead. Her relationship with the Higgins was a part of the story that I really liked. It wasn’t just a romance but also a story about what industrialization in England was like as well as how the people were being treated. I’m not saying that it’s the most accurate or best place to get your knowledge about this period of history but it’s a captivating part of the story non the less.
I would highly recommend if you enjoy period pieces or books such as Jane Austens.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes