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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Loved it until the end- did have to end in what felt like the middle of a conversation? Too abrupt - even for Victorian literature.
It took me a long time to get into this book, but I read the last 300 pages over the course of a few days. So engrossing and compelling — characters and thoughts and insights compellingly modern and familiar despite being written 170 years ago. I feel sorry that Gaskell has been somewhat overlooked as a female novelist of her time, for, compared to Austen and the Brontës, I feel as though her voice speaks to me the most. Perhaps it is the city setting, the class conflicts and labour reminiscent of today... it is like an urban Jane Eyre — and I greatly prefer Thornton to Mr Rochester.
Full of insights about history but also just being human (worker and factory owner, dissenter and idle woman; intellectual equals but how hard to communicate, when notions of propriety and class get in the way!) and being alive (how hard it is; how transient; how abrupt and cruel death). And yes, romantic, too — if you are patient. Everything is incredibly real and raw.
Full of insights about history but also just being human (worker and factory owner, dissenter and idle woman; intellectual equals but how hard to communicate, when notions of propriety and class get in the way!) and being alive (how hard it is; how transient; how abrupt and cruel death). And yes, romantic, too — if you are patient. Everything is incredibly real and raw.
emotional
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am a huge Jane Austen fan and started reading this thinking that it would be a lot like one of her novels. This book has the two love intersts and the perky and passionate characters, but it is much more realistic to what was happening during the time it was written.
It took me a while to connect with the heroinne of the story and I had my moments with her father, but it is a beautiful book. It will make you cry sad tears, but if you like this period of writing, you should read this one. I am very glad I decided to purchase it. I may have to look into other work from the writer.
It took me a while to connect with the heroinne of the story and I had my moments with her father, but it is a beautiful book. It will make you cry sad tears, but if you like this period of writing, you should read this one. I am very glad I decided to purchase it. I may have to look into other work from the writer.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
By all accounts Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South" should have been right up my alley. I adore Victorian-era fiction, especially if it features young heroines wrestling with dire circumstances and tangled love stories. This book has all of that, but frankly, I found it rather dull.
Gaskell's heroine, Margaret Hale, goes from London society to an industrial town named Milton as her father leaves the priesthood and takes up teaching instead. The book focuses a lot on the industrial revolution-- the needs of the working class versus the needs of the factory owners as a company goes on strike.
I found saintly Margaret somewhat annoying -- her reactions to events often range too odd and contrived for me and the love story really never came together for me. Overall, I found this novel pretty disappointing.
Gaskell's heroine, Margaret Hale, goes from London society to an industrial town named Milton as her father leaves the priesthood and takes up teaching instead. The book focuses a lot on the industrial revolution-- the needs of the working class versus the needs of the factory owners as a company goes on strike.
I found saintly Margaret somewhat annoying -- her reactions to events often range too odd and contrived for me and the love story really never came together for me. Overall, I found this novel pretty disappointing.
There is a reason certain books are considered a must read, a classic. North and South certainly fits that description. If you are of mind to think that older books cannot hold up to today, then you would be sorely mistaken. Gaskell delivers on so many topics, poverty, ownership, unions and even the dreaded mother-in-law.
I am not sure what I expected from this book but I thought it would be much better given the reviews. It was long and verbose. The story was just okay and most of the characters seemed in constant fear of offending each other.
emotional
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have never wanted two characters to kiss so badly in my life.