Reviews - North and South - The Original Classic Edition

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3.55k reviews for:

North and South - The Original Classic Edition

Elizabeth Gaskell

4.12 AVERAGE

coco_read's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ribbles's review against another edition

5.0

So this is me tracking the re-read (or rather, re-listen—though I’m not sure how I consumed it the first time) of “North and South.” It’s an imperfect book, but utterly delightful, and very comparable to both “Pride and Prejudice” and “Jane Eyre” in terms of plot. The language is more workmanlike than Bronte’s lovely prose, and the dialogue less sparkling than Austen’s bright badinage, but “North and South” has a homely charm that deserves more recognition.

jpechman's review against another edition

4.0

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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: Yes

sherrimc's review against another edition

5.0

This book is so good, leaving me wondering why it is not better known. There is no question in my mind that it belongs on the shelf next to Pride and Prejudice, Oliver Twist and all of the other great English classics. I even think that Gaskell surpasses Austen and Dickens because North and South has both the moving love story and the thought-provoking social commentary (though I don't think she is quite as good of a writer as Dickens in a Tale of Two Cities, which is still to say that she is an excellent writer).

Gaskell's love story between Margaret and John is exactly the kind I love to read about. They begin the story raw and uncut in their pride and self-assurance only to be softened and changed by disappointment, tragedy and sorrow and by each other. It is this personal growth and change which makes their love possible and so satisfying.

In the backdrop of this love story, Gaskell introduces many other characters who bring to life a newly industrialized northern English city with all the cultural and labor strife that comes with it. Gaskell brings these social issues to the forefront through her characters, turning them over so the reader can see both sides of the issue. It's nice that she doesn't get preachy about it. She simply tells the story allowing the reader draw her own conclusions.

Taken as a whole, I think North and South's most lasting message is to remind us how often people misunderstand and misjudge the motives and situation of those on the "other side" (in love, in business, in work, in community) and how true personal growth comes from the breaking down of these assumptions and barriers of thought to make room for true understanding.

ghur413's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of my favorite stories and hold it dear as I do Pride &Prejudice. The audible audiobook read by Juliet Stevenson is a treasure. I will definitely listen to it again.