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A review by carlacbarroso
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
5.0
I learned of this book through the BBC series, which I saw some time ago, re-watched now as I read the book (and I'm planning see it again this week :D) and loved it. Along with Persuasion, it is one of those DVD's that I like to watch whenever I'm feeling down. But to pick up the book was a bit more complicated. I've tried it for two or three times but postponed itas I thought those weren't the best occasions to read it, but due to the "18th and 19th Century Women Writers' Reading Challenge", in which I'm much behind if I want to accomplish it, and my commitment to read the piles of TBR books I have on my nightstand, I decided that this was it. Apparently I wasn't wrong and, fortunately, Canochinha entered this adventure with me and we did a mini book club together (link to discussion in Portuguese), which proved to be a spectacular experience. By the way, you can read her opinion about this book, in Portuguese, here.
The book tells us the story of Margaret Hale who, due to her father's, a minister of the Church of England, crisis of conscience, was forced to move from beautiful, sunny Helstone in the New Forest, to Milton in the suggestive county of Darkshire. Milton is a very industrialized city, with cotton mills that work all day and whose smoke hides the sun. There she meets John Thornton, one of the city's industrial masters, who becomes one of her father's students and with whom she discusses various issues, including trade and social issues that threaten to paralyze the city with a strike. So we have a clash of ideals and two different life styles in this book, the serene life in the south's countryside contrasting to the urbanized North, more frenetic and industrialized, represented by both protagonists.
What impressed me the most in this book was the writing style of the author. I confess I'm not usually aware of writing styles but Elizabeth Gaskell's was just delightful. How she uses the words to describe characters, places, thoughts, actions. How all this affects our perception of the characters, we see them reflected in the space they occupy, in the actions they take, in the way they speak. In this away they come to life and become a part of ours, it is impossible not to feel that we know those people as if they have been our friends for years. It is impossible not to be moved by Mrs. Thornton, the cold and harsh mother of John, who, however, demonstrates an unusually large heart when it comes to her child. For me she was the most spectacular character of the book. But the others are also touching and there's a perceptible growth in all of them: in Thornton and Higgins it is gradually, while it takes Margaret a little longer, but it is notable her growth at the end of the book when we find ourselves in a situation somewhat similar to the beginning.
It seems that some people thought the end to be a little rushed, but in my opinion it was perfect. But speaking of it was perhaps to go into spoilers, so I'll just say that from a certain part on, the reader seems to feel just like Margaret and can only look forward and hope that the story will turn out well. The only fault I can point to this book was the fact of it had to have an end, because I feel as I've lost friends because I would like to continue following the stories of these characters.
A book more than recommended, a true classic. It is one of those books whose last page leaves a huge hole and it seems that no other book will fill it. Very few books made me feel just like this. Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Lions of Al-Rassan (it's true!) were the last ones. It's one of those books that stay with us. It's one of those books to read again and again.
The book tells us the story of Margaret Hale who, due to her father's, a minister of the Church of England, crisis of conscience, was forced to move from beautiful, sunny Helstone in the New Forest, to Milton in the suggestive county of Darkshire. Milton is a very industrialized city, with cotton mills that work all day and whose smoke hides the sun. There she meets John Thornton, one of the city's industrial masters, who becomes one of her father's students and with whom she discusses various issues, including trade and social issues that threaten to paralyze the city with a strike. So we have a clash of ideals and two different life styles in this book, the serene life in the south's countryside contrasting to the urbanized North, more frenetic and industrialized, represented by both protagonists.
What impressed me the most in this book was the writing style of the author. I confess I'm not usually aware of writing styles but Elizabeth Gaskell's was just delightful. How she uses the words to describe characters, places, thoughts, actions. How all this affects our perception of the characters, we see them reflected in the space they occupy, in the actions they take, in the way they speak. In this away they come to life and become a part of ours, it is impossible not to feel that we know those people as if they have been our friends for years. It is impossible not to be moved by Mrs. Thornton, the cold and harsh mother of John, who, however, demonstrates an unusually large heart when it comes to her child. For me she was the most spectacular character of the book. But the others are also touching and there's a perceptible growth in all of them: in Thornton and Higgins it is gradually, while it takes Margaret a little longer, but it is notable her growth at the end of the book when we find ourselves in a situation somewhat similar to the beginning.
It seems that some people thought the end to be a little rushed, but in my opinion it was perfect. But speaking of it was perhaps to go into spoilers, so I'll just say that from a certain part on, the reader seems to feel just like Margaret and can only look forward and hope that the story will turn out well. The only fault I can point to this book was the fact of it had to have an end, because I feel as I've lost friends because I would like to continue following the stories of these characters.
A book more than recommended, a true classic. It is one of those books whose last page leaves a huge hole and it seems that no other book will fill it. Very few books made me feel just like this. Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Lions of Al-Rassan (it's true!) were the last ones. It's one of those books that stay with us. It's one of those books to read again and again.