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A review by monazaneefer
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
2.0
Format: eBook
I was bored for the most part, including the second half which I've seen a lot say is when the pace picks up. I skipped paragraphs and paragraphs and even pages - I'd read the summary of the missed bits instead and realise I didn't miss out.
I get that Gaskell was trying to portray the destitution of industrial Manchester - and she does it well in that regard - but a lot of times there's too much exposition. And when there's not, there's so much focus on it happening to other people. It doesn't allow readers to connect to the primary characters enough.
So that's why I loved the storyline of John Barton. It was beautifully depicted and my heart goes out to him. Only wish I could say the same for the other characters; they were so superficially drawn. And btw too much blame was put on Mary - even when it wasn't her fault!! And having now read two of Gaskell's novels, her young female characters are the same. Majority of them can be merged and appear to be the same person. There's so little nuance + they don't actually have much of a personality to begin with.
I did however like the message brought out with the elder Mr Carson's change in understanding the situation. I wasn't expecting it.
I was bored for the most part, including the second half which I've seen a lot say is when the pace picks up. I skipped paragraphs and paragraphs and even pages - I'd read the summary of the missed bits instead and realise I didn't miss out.
I get that Gaskell was trying to portray the destitution of industrial Manchester - and she does it well in that regard - but a lot of times there's too much exposition. And when there's not, there's so much focus on it happening to other people. It doesn't allow readers to connect to the primary characters enough.
So that's why I loved the storyline of John Barton. It was beautifully depicted and my heart goes out to him. Only wish I could say the same for the other characters; they were so superficially drawn. And btw too much blame was put on Mary - even when it wasn't her fault!! And having now read two of Gaskell's novels, her young female characters are the same. Majority of them can be merged and appear to be the same person. There's so little nuance + they don't actually have much of a personality to begin with.
Spoiler
Will and Margaret's storyline was a bit too fluffy for me. So was the ending. Seriously....she got her sight ? + The part about finding Esther seemed a bit too neatly wrapped up for my liking. I think it's because overall Gaskell gave me too much closure for the entire story.I did however like the message brought out with the elder Mr Carson's change in understanding the situation. I wasn't expecting it.