A review by chalkletters
Cranford: and other stories by Elizabeth Gaskell

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

2.75

Ever since I read Wives and Daughters, I’ve been saying I want to read more Elizabeth Gaskell, so when I spotted this copy of Cranford and Other Storiesat my local free bookshelf, I couldn’t resist. The ‘and other stories’ wasn’t obvious from the cover, so the inclusion of Mr Harrison’s Confessions and My Lady Ludlow came as a pleasant surprise — more Elizabeth Gaskell for me to try! Nickie promised Cranford would be “a proper stocking full of heartwarming tidbits”, perfect for cozy reading on long winter’s nights. 

Jenny Uglow’s brief introduction to Cranford and Other Stories whets the appetite without spoiling the story. Female main characters in classic literature are usually either married or dead by the end of the novel, so a whole narrative about middle-aged spinsters is quite an unusual prospect. The village of Cranford is a community, a group of friends who help each other out to the best of their ability and it really is heartwarming to read about. 

Miss Matty is reminiscent of Little Women’s Beth March, in that the narrator often points out her goodness, her sweetness of temper and her positive affect on others. These moments are more telling than showing, but fortunately, Miss Matty also gets the opportunity to show her personality in the way she treats others. Her lasting respect for her overbearing sister’s traditions and rules may have seemed worthy to a contemporary reader, but falls slightly flat in an age that values individuality.

This difference of attitude presents even more of a problem in My Lady Ludlow. Even given the background of the French Revolution, it’s hard to sympathise with the title character’s disdain for educating ‘the lower classes’ and her fears around servants becoming unsatisfied with their position. This was the least enjoyable of the four chapters, meandering very slowly with little actual plot. 

Overall, Cranford delivered on its promise of a cozy community, Mr Harrison’s Confessions were amusing, but My Lady Ludlow rather let the collection down at the final moment.
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