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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Oh, how much I loved this story. I wish I had read it earlier as I enjoyed it a little more than Pride & Prejudice (which I have read and reread dozens of times). The story is more than just the growing attachment between Mr. Thornton and Margaret, it is a story of the struggling middle class, the clashes of the north and south and the story of a woman becoming what she wants to be.
Fantastic novel, would definitely recommend. The BBC adaptation is fantastic as well, and has enough changes that makes the series enjoyable on its own.
Fantastic novel, would definitely recommend. The BBC adaptation is fantastic as well, and has enough changes that makes the series enjoyable on its own.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
I've been wanting to listen to this as an audiobook for ages. I'm glad I finally did! I thought the writing style was remarkably straightforward for a Victorian novel, and the characters were loveable yet all had their flaws. I felt so bad for Margaret - she was really going through it the whole book. She was so headstrong and took on all the challenges her parents and others were too weak to face... I can only imagine what a great role model she was for female readers back in the day.
I liked how Elizabeth Gaskell gave some insights into trade unions, factories and strikes in the mid 19th century and how Irish "hands" were exploited to undermine the strike.
I will definitely try to read some of her other books, I didn't realise how prolific she was.
I liked how Elizabeth Gaskell gave some insights into trade unions, factories and strikes in the mid 19th century and how Irish "hands" were exploited to undermine the strike.
I will definitely try to read some of her other books, I didn't realise how prolific she was.
This book is lovely and I think it should be more well-know. Margaret is truly a fantastic character through which we see the world. She is intelligent and kind and ready to change and grow. The romance is wonderful and the social commentary is even better.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
John Thornton loml
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
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
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is one of the few instances in my life where I watched the screen adaptation first, read the book second. It is also one of the few instances where I overall found the adaptation more enjoyable than the book. When compared with Charlotte Bronte, Gaskell's dialogues lack the tang of true authenticity; when compared with Jane Austen or Emily Bronte, the style of Gaskell's expository and descriptive passages feels more clunky and inelegant, her dramatic pacing less sure. Gaskell's characterizations (especially of minor characters like the imperious servant Dixon and the haughty matriarch Mrs. Thornton) are her strongest suit, the love plot is entertaining, and the bits of psychological analysis plausible. Still, when one reads passages like the following, one feels not as if one is listening in on a love scene between two flesh-and-blood humans, but rather as if one is stumbling through a dense forest of floppy cardboard trees:
There are also inadvertently funny passages like this one, a dialogue between the heroine Margaret Hale and her father about her suitor Mr. Thornton:
Occasionally, however, Gaskell transcends herself, as in this not-realistic-sounding but nonetheless very pretty passage in which Frederick Hale is expounding on the beauty of his betrothed, Dolores:
(As a side note, I just love the default cover image that automatically pops up when you add this book to one of your Goodreads bookshelves. I have a huge sentimental fondness for these cutely compact-sized Penguin editions of classic English novels, their titles and authors' names centered in cartouche-like cream-colored ovals on the upper halves of their front covers. As far as I'm aware, Penguin has stopped publishing classics in this format, having switched to an uglier, larger-sized format with a black spine rather than a cream-colored one. It's a shame, for these cream-colored books remind me of that moment at the end of my childhood when my mom took me to Barnes and Noble and let me pick out my first-ever "grown-up books" -- cream-colored Penguin Classics editions of Pride and Prejudice and Villette, two books that remain firmly ensconced in my pantheon of favorites. Those books were like siblings to me!)
His voice was hoarse, and trembling with tender passion, as he said:—
'Margaret!'
For an instant she looked up; and then sought to veil her luminous eyes by dropping her forehead on her hands. Again, stepping nearer, he besought her with another tremulous eager call upon her name.
There are also inadvertently funny passages like this one, a dialogue between the heroine Margaret Hale and her father about her suitor Mr. Thornton:
'You are quite prejudiced against Mr. Thornton, Margaret.'
'He is the first specimen of a manufacturer—of a person engaged in trade—that I had ever the opportunity of studying, papa. He is my first olive: let me make a face while I swallow it.'
Occasionally, however, Gaskell transcends herself, as in this not-realistic-sounding but nonetheless very pretty passage in which Frederick Hale is expounding on the beauty of his betrothed, Dolores:
'You must wait till you see her herself. She is too perfect to be known by fragments. No mean brick shall be a specimen of the building of my palace.'
(As a side note, I just love the default cover image that automatically pops up when you add this book to one of your Goodreads bookshelves. I have a huge sentimental fondness for these cutely compact-sized Penguin editions of classic English novels, their titles and authors' names centered in cartouche-like cream-colored ovals on the upper halves of their front covers. As far as I'm aware, Penguin has stopped publishing classics in this format, having switched to an uglier, larger-sized format with a black spine rather than a cream-colored one. It's a shame, for these cream-colored books remind me of that moment at the end of my childhood when my mom took me to Barnes and Noble and let me pick out my first-ever "grown-up books" -- cream-colored Penguin Classics editions of Pride and Prejudice and Villette, two books that remain firmly ensconced in my pantheon of favorites. Those books were like siblings to me!)
North and South is the latest Victorian work that I have read as it is on my reading list for university. So far, it has been my favourite on the module! I was not a fan of Adam Bede, I enjoyed parts of David Copperfield, and North and South stands head and shoulders above them both (SORRY!) in regards to my own personal enjoyment.
Whilst it contains the Victorian melodramatic charm, it feels a bit more realistic and gritty than many others, such as David Copperfield and Emma. Margaret is a great character who I felt really attached to. She adheres to social norms in many ways, but also has far more agency than female characters usually do in literature during this period.
The themes explored were fascinating to me, with the divide between the 'North' and 'South' of England as a clear focus through Margaret, who romanticises the south when she is forced to move north, and then gradually comes to respect the more direct and honest 'Northern Ways'. But, whilst this was very enjoyable, North and South was great because of the intimate heart that was so compelling. There is the conflict of following Mr Thornton, a mill owner, and then seeing the circumstance of his workers. Gaskell did a brilliant job investing you in both sides, in a very human way that I find is not entirely present in many of the Victorian works I have read so far. It was very refreshing.
A university read I am happy with! Also, as a side-note, I watched the 2004 mini-series and it was a wonderful adaptation! Richard Armitage (Thorin!!!) was a stand-out.
4.25/5 STARS
Whilst it contains the Victorian melodramatic charm, it feels a bit more realistic and gritty than many others, such as David Copperfield and Emma. Margaret is a great character who I felt really attached to. She adheres to social norms in many ways, but also has far more agency than female characters usually do in literature during this period.
The themes explored were fascinating to me, with the divide between the 'North' and 'South' of England as a clear focus through Margaret, who romanticises the south when she is forced to move north, and then gradually comes to respect the more direct and honest 'Northern Ways'. But, whilst this was very enjoyable, North and South was great because of the intimate heart that was so compelling. There is the conflict of following Mr Thornton, a mill owner, and then seeing the circumstance of his workers. Gaskell did a brilliant job investing you in both sides, in a very human way that I find is not entirely present in many of the Victorian works I have read so far. It was very refreshing.
A university read I am happy with! Also, as a side-note, I watched the 2004 mini-series and it was a wonderful adaptation! Richard Armitage (Thorin!!!) was a stand-out.
4.25/5 STARS