North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. © 1998 Wordsworth Editions. Originally Published 1854. ISBN 1853260932. Paperback. Classic Fiction. 448 pages. $4.99 US. [ Purchase ]
Synopsis
Set in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, Margaret Hale’s life is turned upside-down when her father gives up his parish and moves their family to Milton, a city in the north of England. Milton is so much different than everything Margaret had been used to – going from the south of England to the harsher northern part of the country, where the people all depend on the cotton mills for their jobs – and she and her family have a very tough time adjusting. Margaret’s father takes up teaching, and one of his students is the proud Mr. Thornton, owner and manager of a local mill.
In a story not unlike Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Margaret and Mr. Thornton soon discover they have feelings for each other, but pride, bruised egos and major misunderstandings seem to be in the way of their ever forming a more lasting attachment.
Review
I first was introduced to the story of North and South through the BBC miniseries, starring Daniela Denby-Ashe as Margaret Hale and Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton. It’s not hard to imagine that I quickly fell in love with the mini-series – the acting was fabulous, the story was romantic and Margaret Hale is one seriously kick-butt heroine.
Needless to say, it wasn’t long after seeing the miniseries that I got my hands on the book. I quickly fell in love with all of the characters and their stories. It was better on paper than on screen (though I still positively love the mini-series), it goes more in depth with everything and you get a better idea of what the characters are thinking.
Like Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this is more than just a love story. It talks a lot about social classes, and not just in the respect of the main two characters. As Margaret befriends some people who work in the mill, we also see what life is like for the working class, what hardships they suffer, and how they react to those of different social classes than their own.It’s easy to see why this book is a classic and so beloved.
Rating
I give this book 5 out of 5.
