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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I don’t like comparing books, but I go as far to say that this is a better version of Pride and Prejudice. It was more realistic and I often didn’t know what was going to happen next. I was never tedious reading it, for there was always something interesting. Yuh
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was very pro capitalist and anti union, claiming the unions and striking are sinful, which is ridiculous given the abhorrent conditions in factories at this time
3.5. I liked the characters, the romance and the social themes, but god was the pacing slow as a snail.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Les attraits du capitalisme ont eu ma peau le temps d'une lecture (fais genre le reste du temps ça compte pas...). En même temps, lorsqu'il prend la forme de John Thornton et/ou Margaret Hale, que puis-je faire; je ne suis qu'une simple humaine.
Ce livre flirte avec le communisme le plus basique et j'en suis fan.
Ce livre flirte avec le communisme le plus basique et j'en suis fan.
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So, this is NOT the North and South of Patrick Swayze and the Civil War. No no. That is the first thing I learned. This is North and South ENGLAND, which makes for just as compelling of a story. In the South, we have the most pastoral, agricultural and slow-paced life that our protagonist Margaret is used to. In the more frantic-paced, manufacturing North, we have the swoon-worthy Mr. Thornton, mill-owner and self-made man.
Our story follows Margaret as she ends up moving from South to the North, encountering Mr. Thornton and an actively antagonistic relationship begins. Margret's headstrong and sensitive nature clash against Mr. Thornton's more level-headed business sense. Pride reigns on both sides and of course, it's the hope of their eventual love that keeps you reading, a la Pride and Prejudice.
What I appreciated about this story is, not only the romantic storyline, but also Margret's journey as a woman, as she comes to understand both the faults of her native South as well as the merit's of Mr. Thornton's North. She meets interesting characters (some more well-rounded than others) and becomes inadvertently involved in labor troubles in the town. We're given a crash-course in the logistics of Unions and strikes and everyone is affected in some way. Margaret experiences great loss and the tragedy seems endless. It didn't depress me, somehow, all that tragedy. Margaret is strong and resourceful and works through her grief in a strikingly realistic way.
A book of 500+ pages, it's not for everyone. But if books of the Pride and Prejudice genre thrill you and you're willing to spend some pages learning about England's labor movement in the process, this is not one to miss.
Our story follows Margaret as she ends up moving from South to the North, encountering Mr. Thornton and an actively antagonistic relationship begins. Margret's headstrong and sensitive nature clash against Mr. Thornton's more level-headed business sense. Pride reigns on both sides and of course, it's the hope of their eventual love that keeps you reading, a la Pride and Prejudice.
What I appreciated about this story is, not only the romantic storyline, but also Margret's journey as a woman, as she comes to understand both the faults of her native South as well as the merit's of Mr. Thornton's North. She meets interesting characters (some more well-rounded than others) and becomes inadvertently involved in labor troubles in the town. We're given a crash-course in the logistics of Unions and strikes and everyone is affected in some way. Margaret experiences great loss and the tragedy seems endless. It didn't depress me, somehow, all that tragedy. Margaret is strong and resourceful and works through her grief in a strikingly realistic way.
A book of 500+ pages, it's not for everyone. But if books of the Pride and Prejudice genre thrill you and you're willing to spend some pages learning about England's labor movement in the process, this is not one to miss.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell is an absolute gem of a novel. Gaskell's ability to tackle complex social and economic issues of her time with such grace and insight is remarkable. She was undoubtedly an advance author for her era, and it's a shame that she remains underrated. Her characters are richly developed, and the story is both engaging and thought-provoking. A must-read classic that deserves all five stars!
My opinion of the book may be somewhat colored by my love of the miniseries, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It suffers from some of the drawbacks of serialized Victorian literature (drawn out plot lines in some areas, compressed plot in others, unclear time progression), but the characters are so vivid and enjoyable that I didn't mind. A lot of people have complained about the way Gaskell wrote the dialogue in barely-discernible dialect, but I thought it was fitting. I'd have quite a bit of trouble understanding Nicholas Higgins if I actually heard him speaking, and so it made sense that I would have trouble reading his words as well. Overall, a fun read, and one that I would highly recommend to others who enjoy Victorian literature.
lighthearted
medium-paced