North and South Book Review
By Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
14 March 2013
I have to admit that I had watched the BBC miniseries of this wonderful story before ever owning the book. Once I’d seen this film I searched for the book on bookdepository.com (the best place in the world to look for books! Free international shipping!), then sat back and waited – rather impatiently – for it to arrive. When it did I jumped and danced around the kitchen… didn’t you know? Kitchens are for dancing! :)
I was so excited to start reading this book and it did not disappoint. I love stories about flawed characters and that is an essence that Elizabeth Gaskell captures in North and South completely. There was not one perfect character in this book, but each of the three main characters –Margaret Hale, John Thornton, and Higgins – learn important life lessons and grow as individuals.
I was so excited to start reading this book and it did not disappoint. I love stories about flawed characters and that is an essence that Elizabeth Gaskell captures in North and South completely. There was not one perfect character in this book, but each of the three main characters –Margaret Hale, John Thornton, and Higgins – learn important life lessons and grow as individuals.
DESCRIPTION
Mrs. Gaskell’s finest social novel is also the powerfully moving story of the developing relationship between southern-born Margaret Hale and John Thornton, the young northern mill-owner.
Margaret is compelled to move from Helstone, her beloved childhood home in the New Forest, to Darkshire in the industrial north when her father resigns his parsonage owing to religious doubts.
When she first encounters John Thornton, her father’s pupil and a man in favour of the power of master over worker, she finds their views in conflict. But industrial rebellion and family tragedy cause Margaret to learn the realities of urban life and Thornton to learn humanity. Only then can a mutual understanding lead to the possibility of enduring love.
Mrs. Gaskell’s finest social novel is also the powerfully moving story of the developing relationship between southern-born Margaret Hale and John Thornton, the young northern mill-owner.
Margaret is compelled to move from Helstone, her beloved childhood home in the New Forest, to Darkshire in the industrial north when her father resigns his parsonage owing to religious doubts.
When she first encounters John Thornton, her father’s pupil and a man in favour of the power of master over worker, she finds their views in conflict. But industrial rebellion and family tragedy cause Margaret to learn the realities of urban life and Thornton to learn humanity. Only then can a mutual understanding lead to the possibility of enduring love.
AUTHOR
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is the author of this brilliant novel, and through doing a little research into her life, I’ve discovered some rather interesting facts of her family and upbringing that she has turned into backstory for North and South...
Elizabeth’s father was a Scottish Unitarian minister in Lancashire. He resigned his orders on conscientious grounds… just like Mr. Hale in N&S.
Elizabeth’s full brother – John – from an early was destined to join the navy, but couldn’t so joined the Merchant Navy instead. He went missing during an expedition to India in 1827. This isn’t identical to the character of Frederick Hale, but some strands have been woven through.
It’s very interesting to read about Mrs. Gaskell. She was good friends with other well-known authors of the time, such as the Bronte sisters and Charles Dickens, who gave her literary advice. And she was not afraid to write about social problems, class interaction, women having to do tough things, or religion. I really enjoyed her writing style, it wasn’t so ‘old-fashioned’ that it left me squinting at the page wondering what on earth everyone was saying. Would I read anymore of Elizabeth Gaskell’s books? For sure! Bring them on! :)
For more information about Elizabeth Gaskell, click here
MY THOUGHTS
As much as I love the story of North and South, I have to admit that I was really glad that I had seen the 2004 BBC period drama first. That way I did have a better gist of what was happening and who meant what. Also I could picture the characters better in
my head (the casting team did a great job, BTW). I did struggle a little to understand the ‘talk’ of the workers of Milton, but once I had gotten further into the book, I got it.
As I said earlier, I love stories where imperfect characters grow and learn lessons. Margaret arrived at Milton with a boatload of prejudice, pride, and presuppositions that get broken down through her heartache and discovers that not everyone fits into a box
John Thornton hides a vulnerable and sensitive heart behind a mask of pride and harshness, but his constant interactions with Margaret and her very different viewpoints opens his mind to change.
Higgins begins the story as a typical worker: intensely dislikes masters, believes the Union is the best thing, doesn’t care about God, drowns his sorrows in a pint… but he’s also a loving father and loyal friend. As he loses a loved one, goes through a strike and riot, and takes on the children of a man who died as a result of the strike/riot, Nicholas Higgins gains a new perspective on life, masters, and God.
RATING
Between 1 and 5, I’d give this book a 4.5
Would I read it again soon? Absolutely!
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is the author of this brilliant novel, and through doing a little research into her life, I’ve discovered some rather interesting facts of her family and upbringing that she has turned into backstory for North and South...
Elizabeth’s father was a Scottish Unitarian minister in Lancashire. He resigned his orders on conscientious grounds… just like Mr. Hale in N&S.
Elizabeth’s full brother – John – from an early was destined to join the navy, but couldn’t so joined the Merchant Navy instead. He went missing during an expedition to India in 1827. This isn’t identical to the character of Frederick Hale, but some strands have been woven through.
It’s very interesting to read about Mrs. Gaskell. She was good friends with other well-known authors of the time, such as the Bronte sisters and Charles Dickens, who gave her literary advice. And she was not afraid to write about social problems, class interaction, women having to do tough things, or religion. I really enjoyed her writing style, it wasn’t so ‘old-fashioned’ that it left me squinting at the page wondering what on earth everyone was saying. Would I read anymore of Elizabeth Gaskell’s books? For sure! Bring them on! :)
For more information about Elizabeth Gaskell, click here
MY THOUGHTS
As much as I love the story of North and South, I have to admit that I was really glad that I had seen the 2004 BBC period drama first. That way I did have a better gist of what was happening and who meant what. Also I could picture the characters better in
my head (the casting team did a great job, BTW). I did struggle a little to understand the ‘talk’ of the workers of Milton, but once I had gotten further into the book, I got it.
As I said earlier, I love stories where imperfect characters grow and learn lessons. Margaret arrived at Milton with a boatload of prejudice, pride, and presuppositions that get broken down through her heartache and discovers that not everyone fits into a box
John Thornton hides a vulnerable and sensitive heart behind a mask of pride and harshness, but his constant interactions with Margaret and her very different viewpoints opens his mind to change.
Higgins begins the story as a typical worker: intensely dislikes masters, believes the Union is the best thing, doesn’t care about God, drowns his sorrows in a pint… but he’s also a loving father and loyal friend. As he loses a loved one, goes through a strike and riot, and takes on the children of a man who died as a result of the strike/riot, Nicholas Higgins gains a new perspective on life, masters, and God.
RATING
Between 1 and 5, I’d give this book a 4.5
Would I read it again soon? Absolutely!