Title: North and South
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Pages: 521
Publisher: Penguin Popular Classics
Copyright: 1994 (1854)
Format: Paperback
Rating: 
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I’ve heard people compare this book to Pride and Prejudice. In fact, I’ve heard people say that they like it BETTER than P&P! Blasphemy. And, I, have to say, I disagree. Pride and Prejudice is better. But North and South is definitely up there. I read it in order to host a stop on Gaskell’s tour for the Classics Circuit and for my book club.
Margaret Hale and her family have left their comfortable home in the South and moved to a manufacturing town in the North. In Milton, Margaret meets factory owner John Thornton, who will challenge her ideas of what a gentleman really is. She must also confront the differences between the gentle south and the industrial north.
The themes here are very similar to those explored in Pride and Prejudice. Can two people overcome their initial reactions, based on prejudice and pride, and find true love? Add to that the social issues of the wealthy versus the poor and unions versus factory owners and you have yourself an interesting novel. (And the BBC miniseries isn’t bad either.) My only two complaints are interrelated. The plot really dragged for me in the first couple hundred pages. And I think this is in part because of the way it is written. The paragraphs tend to be long and complicated with dialog sprinkled throughout. And there is a lot of set up. Still, once I reached the middle third of the book, I couldn’t put it down. Just be prepared for a rather abrupt ending.
This is a lovely love story, with more heartache and critical situations than any Austen fare. Gaskell really lets you see the gritty smog of industrialization and the havoc it wreaks on the social climate. North and South is a chunkster and a challenge but very worthwhile.
North and South, by Elizabeth Gaskell
Other Reviews:
The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader
Angieville (BBC Miniseries)
Michelle’s Masterful Musings
One Librarian’s Book Reviews
Rebecca Reads
Semicolon
Shelf Love
Buy North and South at Powell’s Books or Amazon.com
{ 12 comments }
If you say that it’s almost as good as Pride & Prejudice, then I immediately want to to check it out. But two hundred pages is a steep buy in. I guess you don’t regret that the book is so good once you get into it but wow. One day.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..A Gift From Brittany: A Memoir of Love and Loss in the French Countryside, by Marjorie Price – Book Review =-.
Did they make a mini-series of this? It all sounds so familiar.
To answer Kathy above, yes, the BBC made a miniseries of it–and it’s really good and romantic! I’d highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed the novel, but it doesn’t really compare to Pride and Prejudice. However, I think Gaskell is a fine writer, and I also recommend Cranford (which also has a good BBC miniseries).
.-= gentle reader´s last blog ..Sunday Salon–Book Group Reading =-.
I read another book of hers, whose title eludes me. I agree with what you say. By the way, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is currently doing Pride and Prejudice, so buy your plane tickets! It’s not my time period, but nothing is better than Austen.
Happy National Poetry Month to all!
Mmmm…makes me want to watch North and South AND Pride and Prejudice. Love them both!
.-= melissa @ 1lbr´s last blog ..Book Review: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher =-.
I like it as well as Pride and Prejudice — it’s just so real in a way that Austen isn’t and I liked that!
.-= Rebecca Reid´s last blog ..The Masterpiece [L’Oeuvre] by Emile Zola =-.
I saw the mini-series (which was really good) and hope to one day read the book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Get Lucky =-.
Thumbs way, way up on the miniseries of this! I haven’t read the book, but I would predict I wouldn’t like it as much as P&P. We’ll see.
Sounds pretty good, but it doesn’t sound like it has any humor in it. What makes Austen so wonderful is how she leavens serious topics with humor.
This one is on my wish list, but I must admit that I did not know that it was compared to Pride and Prejudice. Good to know. Thanks for the great review!
I’m planning to get to this in the near future – I’ll keep what you said about it being slow at first in mind in case I get discouraged.
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton =-.
Aw, thanks for linking to my controlled ravings on the miniseries. :)
I adore it and am very glad you enjoyed the book.
.-= Angie´s last blog ..Tangled by Carolyn Mackler =-.
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