purplemuskogee 's review for:

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
5.0
lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was really entertaining and light despite being a big fat Victorian novel. Despite the preoccupations being of their time (who worries about finding a wife so that they can chaperone their teenage,motherless daughter at charity balls??), it felt fresh and fun, with its cast of nosy neighbours, pretentious ladies, vain stepmum and good-looking men. The plot involved many parties, mini-breaks at the local lord's estate, secret weddings and inheritance. It could have been a season of Gossip Girl. 
It is unfinished, but I didn't mind, the missing part seems small and easy to guess with all the pieces at the right places when it ends - a bit like missing the last five minutes of a Hallmark movie when you know the two main characters will inevitably kiss and marry, and all will be well.