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renardthefox's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed NORTH AND SOUTH, but not quite as much as earlier this year, when I read it during a fifteen hour bus journey. It turns out when I have other books to read, and other stuff to do, this wasn't QUITE so charming. But that's okay.
NORTH AND SOUTH is the story of Margaret Hale murdering everyone in her life and her romance with the one man she can't kill. Joking aside, there is a LOT of death in this book. I won't spoil who dies, but be prepared.
I like Margaret, even though she's a snob and a bit of a white knight to the working-class who don't know better. I like John, too, though he's a capitalist pig. They're very realistically and humanly depicted.
I don't have anything to say about Mr Hale except that he can suck my dick. The man is a menace.
Likeability aside, I do question the politics of almost everyone in this novel. It's like the conventions of writing a romance (though of course it's not a modern romance) constrained ELIZABETH GASKELL. Or perhaps her desire to be even-handed. You can be even-handed and point out that one side is the good one, I promise! Higgins is somewhat sympathetically drawn, but even so, he still needs to learn the lesson that Thornton knows what he's doing as master, and I just don't agree!
The thing that is best about NORTH AND SOUTH (and I promise this is a compliment!) is that it's many better books stitched together. There's elements of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, JANE EYRE, I even detect some THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL in there. But the ability to makes this all hang together is a skill in itself, I would argue.
Anyway, I enjoyed it, but: Dickens was right about the title! Sorry not sorry.
NORTH AND SOUTH is the story of Margaret Hale murdering everyone in her life and her romance with the one man she can't kill. Joking aside, there is a LOT of death in this book. I won't spoil who dies, but be prepared.
I like Margaret, even though she's a snob and a bit of a white knight to the working-class who don't know better. I like John, too, though he's a capitalist pig. They're very realistically and humanly depicted.
I don't have anything to say about Mr Hale except that he can suck my dick. The man is a menace.
Likeability aside, I do question the politics of almost everyone in this novel. It's like the conventions of writing a romance (though of course it's not a modern romance) constrained ELIZABETH GASKELL. Or perhaps her desire to be even-handed. You can be even-handed and point out that one side is the good one, I promise! Higgins is somewhat sympathetically drawn, but even so, he still needs to learn the lesson that Thornton knows what he's doing as master, and I just don't agree!
The thing that is best about NORTH AND SOUTH (and I promise this is a compliment!) is that it's many better books stitched together. There's elements of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, JANE EYRE, I even detect some THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL in there. But the ability to makes this all hang together is a skill in itself, I would argue.
Anyway, I enjoyed it, but: Dickens was right about the title! Sorry not sorry.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Sexism, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
mira_the_book_dragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
If you like slow burn regency romance this book is for you! The characters are interesting, complex and lovable. Only critique is the abrupt ending but this may have been a standard in those days, not sure. Georgette Heute also has these abrupt endings..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, and Classism
mal_eficent's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
This is a book I love more and more with each reread – and each new introduction. Learning more of the contemporary context around class and literary movements at the time adds a lot of needed clarity to many of the events and chapters.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Death and Police brutality
kelly04's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Chronic illness and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
literature's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
All in consequence to how I feel. It seemed like there was a huge focus imbalance. + The ending felt so rushed, as if everything happened for the sake of the ending, rather than for the sake of realistic continuity.
It almost seems like every one of her relatives (except Frederick, who is too far and too indisposed to care for her while Mr. Thornton remains in the picture) dies for the sole purpose of her having the means to care after Mr. Thornton's newfound money issues, i.e., for the plot's sake. The transition from helping him, to a sudden increase in intimacy (or rather, intimate atmosphere), felt almost silly. The focus on their relationship and its development felt sorely lacking; I didn't expect to read such little of it, esp. since romance is a tagged genre for this book.
With all the hate of inactivity Margaret expressed, she rarely ever pushed herself to do anything daring or go beyond Harley Street unless assisted by- or at the whim of- somebody else. She rushed to visit Mr. Bell, but never attempted going, or at the very least, expressed a wish to go to her father's funeral. Surely, she would realistically be urged to go, no matter how weak she felt (admittedly, I am unsure how inconvenient or possible it would have been to travel to Oxford as a young lady during that time, but to not even imply an attempt or a desire to go is a sure sign of a character being too one-track-minded and plot-driven).
Honestly, my favorite interactions were of Margaret with Bessy and/or Mr. Higgins, and of Mr. Higgins with Mr. Thornton.
She never even visited her brother and Dolores. I thought that would've been interesting and fun to read, especially with Frederick becoming a merchant and all. Margaret's interactions with Dolores would've been so cute, I imagine.
With all the hate of inactivity Margaret expressed, she rarely ever pushed herself to do anything daring or go beyond Harley Street unless assisted by- or at the whim of- somebody else. She rushed to visit Mr. Bell, but never attempted going, or at the very least, expressed a wish to go to her father's funeral. Surely, she would realistically be urged to go, no matter how weak she felt (admittedly, I am unsure how inconvenient or possible it would have been to travel to Oxford as a young lady during that time, but to not even imply an attempt or a desire to go is a sure sign of a character being too one-track-minded and plot-driven).
Honestly, my favorite interactions were of Margaret with Bessy and/or Mr. Higgins, and of Mr. Higgins with Mr. Thornton.
She never even visited her brother and Dolores. I thought that would've been interesting and fun to read, especially with Frederick becoming a merchant and all. Margaret's interactions with Dolores would've been so cute, I imagine.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness
naomi_k's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Suicide, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
mwanamkembaya's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry
lydiavsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm not usually a big reader of classics so, even though I loved the series, I expected to struggle with this but oh boi I could not have been more wrong. This might genuinely be my new favourite book...of all time.
Firstly, Margaret frigidy frackin' Hale. Wow, amazing, incredible, I love her so much. I would say she needs protecting at all costs but by the end of the book that gal can protect herself. Damn.
Praise number two: the vibes. Helstone, beautiful.Manchester Milton, the atmosphere of the Northern industrial town, the factories, the poverty. Mmmm
Next up, socialism. Erm 1850s? Incredible. So good, the strikes, the contrast of the North and the South, the contrast of classes. Perfect. And once again, Margaret I'dgivehermykidneys Hale.
The character development, mainly enjoying watching Margaret slowly turning up the sass levels, but Thornton too, fabulous.
Honestly I just felt giddy the whole time reading this, every day I picked this up: instant good day. I have no criticisms, this book is perfect.
Firstly, Margaret frigidy frackin' Hale. Wow, amazing, incredible, I love her so much. I would say she needs protecting at all costs but by the end of the book that gal can protect herself. Damn.
Praise number two: the vibes. Helstone, beautiful.
Next up, socialism. Erm 1850s? Incredible. So good, the strikes, the contrast of the North and the South, the contrast of classes. Perfect. And once again, Margaret I'dgivehermykidneys Hale.
The character development, mainly enjoying watching Margaret slowly turning up the sass levels, but Thornton too, fabulous.
Honestly I just felt giddy the whole time reading this, every day I picked this up: instant good day. I have no criticisms, this book is perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, and Sexism
tuesdayangel's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
gracescanlon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism