A review by sarahandika
North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

 

This is a beautiful piece of literature that goes beyond the central love story. Gaskell contrasts the genteel south, represented by Margaret Hale, with the harsh industrial north embodied by John Thornton. More than offering us a simple romance tale, she delivers beautiful and intelligent social commentary on life, finding purpose, social justice rights, virtues, the war of the haves and the have nots and so on, all topics that remain relevant to this day, and that have had her book age like fine wine. 

While often compared to the works of Austen (and ostensibly how I came across her works), she is drastically different in that her books are heavier and take a more serious rather than satirical approach to the discussion of social issues and recognize the world beyond aristocratic woes and issues. I loved how, for example, upon returning to Harley Street, realized how the struggles of workers and others are often hidden behind view from those who are more well-off and this is often true of books dealing with higher-society types, where the reader often gets a romanticised view of life in said stories whilst forgetting the struggles that 99% of the population underwent at the same time. 

However, what I thought was my next 5 star read, ended up falling short because I am just not an abrupt ending girlie. I remember feeling giddy while reading through Margaret’s and John’s interactions. There’s something about how writers of this era managed to communicate so much but so subtly and in a way that hooks you in so much more than the ‘in-your-face’ styles of writing we get with modern day romances. For example, when Mr. Thornton finally turns the table on Margaret and refuses to shake her hand after she turns down his proposal. I almost cheered for him. Their relationship and it’s progress was such a wonderful part of the book and I got so infuriated and enraged the more I read on and realized that the slow burn was literally about to burn out because I was literally running out of pages to read and their reunion was still being dragged out and-  Excuse me! Excuse me! Excuse me! We get it finally but only 2 pages to the end of the book!!! Wtf!!! I need Gaskell to get up from her grave and give us two more chapters at the bare minimum of Margaret and Thornton professing their undying love to each other. I feel cheated and shortchanged. The last third’s plot pacing ruined the books perfection for me, especially realizing how a few of the last chapters weren’t really needed. Did we need her going back to Helston over having her final time with Thornton fleshed out a bit more for example? 

Also, I get that life sucks, but why was someone dying every four chapters as if there was a death quota to fill? I will defend the other deaths because they seemed in line with the plot and realistic enough (for example Bessy dying from poor work conditions, Boucher’s depression and suicide, Mr. Hale literally dying from heartbreak etc.) but Mr. Bell’s felt to convenient and unnecessary and I’m not a fan of plotlines of main character’s randomly inheriting fortunes just to serve plotlines. It’s just me being picky, but that also was a bit of a sore point. 

I also wish the author took more time to explain Mr. Hale’s decision to leave the church since it was such a central point to the plot. Another small personal issue, but I found the heavy use of accents and slang for lower-class characters, like in this book and "Wuthering Heights," exhausting. While it authentically represents their speech, it makes the book harder to read. 

Those misgivings aside, this really is a top tier book that manages to blend romance with more serious social commentary seamless and has you caring for more than just the fates of the main characters. I understand why this is considered a classic and I look forward to reading more of this author’s works.