freakysappho's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
suzyc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
ecw199's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
thedewdrop'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It is very rare that I find a book from this time period which I do not feel at least a mild interest for, but it is equally rare that I find any book which I positively adore. This is one of those books. It is, to use a terrible cliche, a dream. Margaret Hale is THE heroine, strong-willed, intelligent yet ever so compassionate. Thornton is much the same, yet he is crueller where she is empathetic. Even so, there romance is splendidly crafted, and Gaskell describes their emotions with unparalleled skill and fearlessness for an author describes as a 'nosegay of violets, honeysuckle, lavender, mignonette and sweet briar'. Certainly her style is as graceful and enchanting as those flowers, yet she deals with far more complex themes than you would expect. Margaret is a feminist figure, with her own will, adroit in the outside world too, and valiant without heroism- none of the characteristics you would expect from the pretty, demure wife-and-mother figure of the time. She goes through themes of pride and prejudice, which remind me of the brilliant, famed work of her predecessor- North and South is arguably just as skilful, yet woven into a different net- away from the country mansions of the regency and into a different 'gentry' in a rapidly industrialised world, taking a unique approach to the rest of the literary world of her time, embracing change as a flawed, yet essential and constructive phenomenon, a concept which- in many ways- still seems, not revolutionary, but distinctive today.
'...the future must be met, however stern and iron it may be.'
And sometimes, that stern iron may turn the cogs and lay the railway-tracks for good, a great deal more good than bad, as Gaskell so insightfully points out.
cheetahpig's review against another edition
4.0
I'm surprised I never had to read this book for an English class, because it's a perfect book for class discussions. The protagonoist, Margaret Hale, is unique among women in 19th-century literature (at least in my reading experience) for her independence, her sympathy and service towards those less fortunate, and her understanding and appreciation for issues beyond the domestic sphere.
Despite Jane Austen being a much more famous author than Elizabeth Gaskell, one thing that has always seemed very narrow and limiting in Jane Austen's books is the personalities of her female characters. My memories of Jane Austen protagonists are of pampered girls fretting and sewing on a couch and wondering if Mr. So-and-so is going to ask them to a ball. Margaret Hale, however, runs a household, takes care of her sick mother and acts as a servant to her feeble father, tries to help her outcast brother fight a false accusation in court, visits the working poor in her city and finds ways to help them, debates on labor issues with one of the leading industrialists in the community, tries to stop a strike from turning violent, and makes hard decisions about the right thing to do in a sticky legal situation.
And, most impressively, while she does end up "getting the man" like Jane Austen's heroines do, Margaret does so with much more power and influence than the typical unmarried, 19th-century woman. Although the marriage arrangement comes with a lot of money on Margaret's side, it's not a dowry dispensed by her father or other male authority figure, but rather money that is entirely in her name, which she loans to her beau to help him out of his financial troubles. This part in particular was refreshing after reading other books where women are seen as assets in a marriage that is mainly viewed as a financial transaction to benefit the man. Overall, Margaret is simply more active, more important, and more aware of her own needs and the needs of others than any other female character I've encountered in books from this period.
Because this book was serialized and written under Charles Dickens' editorial control, the ending is a bit rushed and thrown together (and the author explains this in the notes). Given that Gaskell couldn't help this, I can hardly hold it against her, but it does make the book less perfect.
If you're in the mood for a 19th-century novel with a female protagonist, but want more substance and character development than other books of the period, you can't go wrong with North and South.
Despite Jane Austen being a much more famous author than Elizabeth Gaskell, one thing that has always seemed very narrow and limiting in Jane Austen's books is the personalities of her female characters. My memories of Jane Austen protagonists are of pampered girls fretting and sewing on a couch and wondering if Mr. So-and-so is going to ask them to a ball. Margaret Hale, however, runs a household, takes care of her sick mother and acts as a servant to her feeble father, tries to help her outcast brother fight a false accusation in court, visits the working poor in her city and finds ways to help them, debates on labor issues with one of the leading industrialists in the community, tries to stop a strike from turning violent, and makes hard decisions about the right thing to do in a sticky legal situation.
And, most impressively, while she does end up "getting the man" like Jane Austen's heroines do, Margaret does so with much more power and influence than the typical unmarried, 19th-century woman. Although the marriage arrangement comes with a lot of money on Margaret's side, it's not a dowry dispensed by her father or other male authority figure, but rather money that is entirely in her name, which she loans to her beau to help him out of his financial troubles. This part in particular was refreshing after reading other books where women are seen as assets in a marriage that is mainly viewed as a financial transaction to benefit the man. Overall, Margaret is simply more active, more important, and more aware of her own needs and the needs of others than any other female character I've encountered in books from this period.
Because this book was serialized and written under Charles Dickens' editorial control, the ending is a bit rushed and thrown together (and the author explains this in the notes). Given that Gaskell couldn't help this, I can hardly hold it against her, but it does make the book less perfect.
If you're in the mood for a 19th-century novel with a female protagonist, but want more substance and character development than other books of the period, you can't go wrong with North and South.
tabbyz's review against another edition
4.0
Initially, the romance was subtle but wonderful. A true slow burn which spans over many years.
Characters were relatable and had depth. Even the supporting characters were fully fleshed.
A meaningful three dimensional backdrop made this a stand out book.
The last quarter felt a little rushed, and considering the length of the book, may be due to the pacing of the plot. Death was overused as a device to move the plot I forward, it was almost too convenient.
The romance fizzled and was almost forgotten about until the end.
Overall, enjoyable.
Is it one of the best books I’ve ever read and Will I be thinking about it forevermore? No. And for that reason, 4 stars.
Characters were relatable and had depth. Even the supporting characters were fully fleshed.
A meaningful three dimensional backdrop made this a stand out book.
The last quarter felt a little rushed, and considering the length of the book, may be due to the pacing of the plot. Death was overused as a device to move the plot I forward, it was almost too convenient.
The romance fizzled and was almost forgotten about until the end.
Overall, enjoyable.
Is it one of the best books I’ve ever read and Will I be thinking about it forevermore? No. And for that reason, 4 stars.
oda21's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
celticrockgirl's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐️. I liked the main storyline and Margaret Hale’s character, but there was A LOT of superfluous material that I could have done without regarding industry and social classes! Like another reviewer said, it was kind of like Pride & Prejudice for socialists! I look forward to watching the BBC movie production now as I'm sure it will focus on the most important parts of the story only, which I will enjoy over the tediously long book. I am glad to have finally read this though; it has been on my to-read list for years.
fairywren's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5