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.North and South

by: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

January 13, 1994
I like this book but have to say i thought it would be alot better...it is the tale of the contrast between the country and the city and two characters caught up in that...and it is very good, but quite stretched for such a big book and i just found it a bit of a tug sometimes to get through...and the "I don't love you"..oh hang on..."i love you lots now" thing was a bit vexing
Very good but there are better books in my opinion..but i would recommend it, just not as highly as others
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.Mary Barton (Oxford World's Classics)

by: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

March 09, 2006
Mary Barton is one of those books that sometimes makes for uncomfortable reading, because it is so sad and the era so bleak...however...it is also heart warming, full of characters that you truly get to know and love and necessary as an evocative history of that period. I would totally recommend it, however , not as a holiday book - it's heavy and needs to be viewed as such or it'll really get to you! superb
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.North and South (Wordsworth Classics)

by: Elizabeth Gaskell

April 07, 1993
I like this book but have to say i thought it would be alot better...it is the tale of the contrast between the country and the city and two characters caught up in that...and it is very good, but quite stretched for such a big book and i just found it a bit of a tug sometimes to get through...and the "I don't love you"..oh hang on..."i love you lots now" thing was a bit vexing
Very good but there are better books in my opinion..but i would recommend it, just not as highly as others
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.Wives and Daughters (Wordsworth Classics)

by: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

November 01, 1999
If you've seen the adaptation of this neglected classic, then you'll already know the storyline. Suffice to say that the book is even better, because it fleshes out more of the secondary characters, such as Lady Harriet, the Squire and Lady Hamley. What makes the book such a delight to read is Gaskell's knowledge of human nature. One feels that Gaskell is a little like Roger, putting each character under the microscope, but analysing each fault kindly. The only character who doesn't get much sympathy is Mr. Preston, which is not surprising after what he does.

The relationships between family are what really power this book, especially that between Cynthia and Molly, the two opposites. Cynthia is inconstant and immoral, but she ... Read More:
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.North and South (Penguin Classics)

by: Elizabeth Gaskell

January 25, 1996
I like this book but have to say i thought it would be alot better...it is the tale of the contrast between the country and the city and two characters caught up in that...and it is very good, but quite stretched for such a big book and i just found it a bit of a tug sometimes to get through...and the "I don't love you"..oh hang on..."i love you lots now" thing was a bit vexing
Very good but there are better books in my opinion..but i would recommend it, just not as highly as others
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.Cranford

by: Elizabeth Gaskell

November 05, 2007
I bought this after seeing the wonderful series on BBC 1 staring Judy Dench, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon and so many others.

It is never a good idea to read the book before or after watching something dramatised - either on TV or film and I suppose this is no different. (The book is usually far superior!) You can't help comparing it to the characters from Cranford on BBC 1! Quite a few things are different - notably the stories are told very much separately and not intertwined as they were on BBC 1. Also Mr Harrison's story (where he gets mixed up with 3 women) and Lady Ludlow's story aren't even set in Cranford but in another northern town. However - this is as Elizabeth Gaskell wrote it and her style of writing is a pleasure to read. I have to admit ... Read More:
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.Ruth (Penguin Classics)

by: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

July 31, 1997
i have read this a couple of times now and it's beautiful. Combines the nasty realities of life with touching sentiment and beautifully crafted characters. Story follows a familiar theme with the lovely kind poor girl and rich cad....i don't want to spoil it...but it follows her through, the christian motif through it v strong and poignant with a heart breaking ending. Excellent
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.Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life

by: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

October 31, 1996
There are two strong messages in the book, both of which made me very uncomfortable. Firstly, the working classes should put their faith in God rather than trying to bring about social change - particularly through trade unionism. Secondly, whilst the 'masters' should look towards helping their workers and building a relationship of trust, they shouldn't try too hard to feed them if times were bad.

With the exception of Mary and her father John, the characters in the book are pretty much black and white - Jem is good and decent who is allowed a moment's dark thoughts before quickly becoming good and decent again and Henry Carson is a wrong 'un from the start - vain, silly and happy to destroy Mary's honour and character without thinking of the consequences ... Read More:
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.Mary Barton (Penguin Popular Classics)

by: Elizabeth Gaskell

July 28, 1994
There are two strong messages in the book, both of which made me very uncomfortable. Firstly, the working classes should put their faith in God rather than trying to bring about social change - particularly through trade unionism. Secondly, whilst the 'masters' should look towards helping their workers and building a relationship of trust, they shouldn't try too hard to feed them if times were bad.

With the exception of Mary and her father John, the characters in the book are pretty much black and white - Jem is good and decent who is allowed a moment's dark thoughts before quickly becoming good and decent again and Henry Carson is a wrong 'un from the start - vain, silly and happy to destroy Mary's honour and character without thinking of the consequences ... Read More:
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.Cranford and Selected Short Stories (Wordsworth Classics)

by: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

July 10, 2006
There are two strong messages in the book, both of which made me very uncomfortable. Firstly, the working classes should put their faith in God rather than trying to bring about social change - particularly through trade unionism. Secondly, whilst the 'masters' should look towards helping their workers and building a relationship of trust, they shouldn't try too hard to feed them if times were bad.

With the exception of Mary and her father John, the characters in the book are pretty much black and white - Jem is good and decent who is allowed a moment's dark thoughts before quickly becoming good and decent again and Henry Carson is a wrong 'un from the start - vain, silly and happy to destroy Mary's honour and character without thinking of the consequences ... Read More:
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