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beccaand's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Classism, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death
heresthepencil's review
- 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
5.0
i know for a fact that if i read this at a tender age of early teenagehood, it would have been over me. my standards would never again be met, and i would simply stop reading all together.
yes, the romance is exquisite (and frankly unhinged in the best of ways), but this is obviously so much more than that. on the prose level this is absolutely gorgeous. the social commentary, the clash of the classes, the feminism? chef's kiss.
Graphic: Suicide and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Death and Xenophobia
mira_the_book_dragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, and Death
classical_learner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
ayphyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Alcoholism, Grief, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Police brutality
thatchickengirl23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Minor: Religious bigotry, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
annaki_laila's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide
lizzye33's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Minor: Suicide, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Murder, Medical content, Hate crime, and Gore
mal_eficent's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
That said, I don't always get on with Gaskell's writing style. Sometimes I found myself flicking back a page or rereading a paragraph to figure out what was going on in the poetic phrasing and long, winding sentences. On the whole the writing is more practical and full of less tangents than an Austen, and it is always at least relevant to the immediate characters and setting. It's a beautiful way of writing that had me enthralled for most of the novel – even if it was a bit too religious for my tastes.
The events deviated quite a lot from the TV series in the second half, I felt, which left me feeling a little bit lost at times. I was expecting events and conversations that never came which in turn made things seem a little bit dull. In some ways it left me wanting. No exhibition where Maragret learnt some appreciation for machinery, all we got was some subtle thought pieces.
The ending, however, with it's bright and sudden punch of character, I enjoyed much more than the TV series which suffered quite badly from the slow, modern romantic haze I can't stand. It ended the book on a high note that made me happy for characters I loved. If you can stand an older writing style, it's a very compelling romance and I'll definitely be binge watching the series to compare it to the book properly.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Police brutality and Death
mme_carton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Religious bigotry