Scan barcode
naomi_k's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Stalking
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Medical content
potatowitch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Antisemitism, Classism, Racism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Colonisation
Minor: Medical content
chalkletters's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Even though I've read Wives and Daughters before, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy Elizabeth Gaskell's prose is to understand. This is certainly no <a href="https://chalklettersbooks.wordpress.com/2019/10/17/rob-roy-by-sir-walter-scott-new-review/">Rob Roy</a></em>. It doesn't seem fairy to declare an author one of my favourites when I've only read one example of her work, but I certainly want to try reading more of Elizabeth Gaskell's novels - if I can ever get to the end of TBR pile that I already own.
Not only are the descriptions and dialogue clear, I also find Molly's emotions to be more relatable than those of some other classical heroines. I don't think I've ever seen myself in Tess or Jane Eyre, certainly not in Cathy of Wuthering Heights or Emma Bovary. But I definitely see myself in Molly Gibson: in her desire to be good and selfless, to put her own happiness aside and never to make herself an inconvenience.
Wives and Daughters is brimming with other great characters, too. Squire Hamley and his son Roger are, to my mind, the most lovable. The squire certainly has faults, but his pride in his son absolutely touches my heart, especially when he rereads letters praising Roger so often that he practically has them memorised.
Cynthia and Osborne are more complicated characters, which is what makes them so interesting. Osborne's disinclination to work is hard to stomach in 2020, but, even with that in mind, Elizabeth Gaskell manages to make him sympathetic.
Though far less significant to the plot, the unmarried Miss Brownings might be the characters who best show Elizabeth Gaskell's skill. It would be so easy for them to be stock spinster sisters, faintly ridiculous but well-meaning, after the pattern of Miss Bates. Instead, the Miss Brownings are distinct from each other, and have views and interests that go beyond themselves and the novel's main characters. I was particularly interested by Miss Browning's rant against married life.
Despite not having a proper ending - Elizabeth Gaskell died with one chapter left to write - Wives and Daughters is certainly satisfying!
Not only are the descriptions and dialogue clear, I also find Molly's emotions to be more relatable than those of some other classical heroines. I don't think I've ever seen myself in Tess or Jane Eyre, certainly not in Cathy of Wuthering Heights or Emma Bovary. But I definitely see myself in Molly Gibson: in her desire to be good and selfless, to put her own happiness aside and never to make herself an inconvenience.
Wives and Daughters is brimming with other great characters, too. Squire Hamley and his son Roger are, to my mind, the most lovable. The squire certainly has faults, but his pride in his son absolutely touches my heart, especially when he rereads letters praising Roger so often that he practically has them memorised.
Cynthia and Osborne are more complicated characters, which is what makes them so interesting. Osborne's disinclination to work is hard to stomach in 2020, but, even with that in mind, Elizabeth Gaskell manages to make him sympathetic.
Though far less significant to the plot, the unmarried Miss Brownings might be the characters who best show Elizabeth Gaskell's skill. It would be so easy for them to be stock spinster sisters, faintly ridiculous but well-meaning, after the pattern of Miss Bates. Instead, the Miss Brownings are distinct from each other, and have views and interests that go beyond themselves and the novel's main characters. I was particularly interested by Miss Browning's rant against married life.
Despite not having a proper ending - Elizabeth Gaskell died with one chapter left to write - Wives and Daughters is certainly satisfying!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
More...