A review by ashleymae_
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell

dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

My favourite aspect of this novel is the romantic subplot. I am aware that this is perhaps an insipid thing to favour in a social problem novel which seeks to stir about class consciousness, however the characterisation of Mary Barton and James Wilson is so charming that I was invested in their love story the most! Their love for one another was juvenile, but spotlessly virtuous. I also loved to see Mary develop empathy for Jem and a consciousness of her own deep-rooted feelings, at the same time I understood her concerns about the rich suitor / poor suitor situation as a woman seeing her father starve,  descending into addiction and despondency. Overall I have little to critique in this novel; although it is slow to start and Gaskell may have refined / re-written the conclusion in a way that is more “‘realistic.” Mr Carson’s desire to help the common man in the end of Mary Barton may not have been realistic, although I understand how one may argue that the death of his son was the sacrifice required to shake his world and change his heart.