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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Found it a bit eye roll-y/preachy for, honestly, most of the time but the last quarter I liked. The love story is the weakest part. Enemies to lovers is like my favorite toxic relationship trope but it just doesn’t work for me here
Crush capitalism
Crush capitalism
I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Gaskell's 1854 novel North and South. It is a beautiful, heart-breaking, soul-raising book filled with memorable characters and critical examinations of society during the Victorian era. The characters, setting, and writing style are appealing, and I found that, as I read, Margaret’s story and experiences often aligned with my own life. This book was touching on a personal level, and I look forward to investigating Gaskell’s other books, as well as rereading this one. It will be interesting to return to it in a few years and look back not only at this story, but also on the annotations I made as I read.
I was introduced to this book through the BBC adaptation, which I watched with some friends. After finishing the miniseries, I almost immediately bought the book. It takes place in England following the industrial era and focuses on Margaret Hale, a young lady who moves with her parents from their quaint village in the south to an industrial town called Milton in the north. She meets both the workers and masters of factories and begins to learn about the complex relationships and struggles of the classes. This book is much more than a romance; it’s an examination of social class and prejudice, among other things. So many times while reading, I thought the perfect title for this book would be, in all honesty, “Pride and Prejudice.” The misunderstandings between the Hales and Milton natives—especially regarding the Thorntons—were amusing, unsettling, and thought-provoking (such as: how many times does one's unfamiliarity with local customs and traditions lead to tension between people?). The characters of North and South contain depth and embody growth as they learn to view the world in a less closed-off manner and recognize that the ideal is neither real nor attainable.
I highly recommend this book to those who love history, well-written literature, romance, economics, social relations, ethics, strong characters…This is a hidden gem in the literary world, which is somewhat surprising when one considers Gaskell was a friend of Charlotte Brontë’s. Oh, and this book was first serialized in Household Words, a weekly magazine edited by none other than Charles Dickens himself (obviously it had some major supporters from within the literary world, yet so few people nowadays seem to know of it).
To read more (including where I would sort some of the characters of they went to Hogwarts), please visit my blog.
I was introduced to this book through the BBC adaptation, which I watched with some friends. After finishing the miniseries, I almost immediately bought the book. It takes place in England following the industrial era and focuses on Margaret Hale, a young lady who moves with her parents from their quaint village in the south to an industrial town called Milton in the north. She meets both the workers and masters of factories and begins to learn about the complex relationships and struggles of the classes. This book is much more than a romance; it’s an examination of social class and prejudice, among other things. So many times while reading, I thought the perfect title for this book would be, in all honesty, “Pride and Prejudice.” The misunderstandings between the Hales and Milton natives—especially regarding the Thorntons—were amusing, unsettling, and thought-provoking (such as: how many times does one's unfamiliarity with local customs and traditions lead to tension between people?). The characters of North and South contain depth and embody growth as they learn to view the world in a less closed-off manner and recognize that the ideal is neither real nor attainable.
I highly recommend this book to those who love history, well-written literature, romance, economics, social relations, ethics, strong characters…This is a hidden gem in the literary world, which is somewhat surprising when one considers Gaskell was a friend of Charlotte Brontë’s. Oh, and this book was first serialized in Household Words, a weekly magazine edited by none other than Charles Dickens himself (obviously it had some major supporters from within the literary world, yet so few people nowadays seem to know of it).
To read more (including where I would sort some of the characters of they went to Hogwarts), please visit my blog.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Great book that covers so many topics that are still relevant today.great character studies too. The one negative aspect is the anti-Irish sentiment throughout.
I was lead to this book following the BBC adaptation, and much to my surprise, BBC took more liberties than I am used to with their modern day re-telling of this classic. As a general rule, the book is better than the television or movie adaptation, but BBC is usually the exception. I fell in love with John Thornton and Margaret Hale because of the adaptation, but I rediscovered them in Gaskell's novel. I found myself laughing aloud, particularly at the ending, and had a hard time putting this book down. In comparison to the BBC adaptation, I found Mr. and Mrs. Hale to be far more superficial in the book than they were in the series. They have a self-absorption I find shocking, particularly considering Mr. Hale's previous profession. Margaret is at times silly and at times an absolute heroine; I can only account for her impertinent moments as attributes of the selfishness of her parents.
Milton comes to life in the novel; the characters are unique in tone and text but are not overtly typecast. The comparison of provincial life to that of labor is cleverly underlined, as is the battle between masters and workers, both within the union and without. Gaskell takes care to illustrate the ineffectiveness of women to exert change on a public scene, but does not shy from their ability to change minds in private. "North & South" combines the uncertainty of life regardless of station with undaunting people who are unwilling to give up or give in. Laced throughout is a charm and wit that equals an easy read and memorable characters that are not defined by stereotype but by their honesty and courage.
Milton comes to life in the novel; the characters are unique in tone and text but are not overtly typecast. The comparison of provincial life to that of labor is cleverly underlined, as is the battle between masters and workers, both within the union and without. Gaskell takes care to illustrate the ineffectiveness of women to exert change on a public scene, but does not shy from their ability to change minds in private. "North & South" combines the uncertainty of life regardless of station with undaunting people who are unwilling to give up or give in. Laced throughout is a charm and wit that equals an easy read and memorable characters that are not defined by stereotype but by their honesty and courage.
emotional
reflective
tense
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
Did mandatory chapters for uni only
3 / 3.5
Penetrating and well written, all melodrama aside.
The review that names it Pride & Prejudice for socialists - dead on, though I would add, with more grime and death. Pleanty of death here. The suffering the author puts Margaret through - whew.
Points for Mr. Bell's delightful foolishness.
Penetrating and well written, all melodrama aside.
The review that names it Pride & Prejudice for socialists - dead on, though I would add, with more grime and death. Pleanty of death here. The suffering the author puts Margaret through - whew.
Points for Mr. Bell's delightful foolishness.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
temporary DNF - I definitely intend to read it but it’s been sitting in my currently reading since the start of the year, I’m trying to clear that out a bit