A revolutionary political and social commentary, North and South confirmed Gaskell's place in the company of Victorian England's finest novelists. This Norton Critical Edition is annotated and edited by the preeminent Gaskell scholar, Alan Shelston, and includes the full text of the closely related story "Lizzie Leigh". The criticism section collects eleven assessments of the novel, among them Louis Cazamian's 1904 study of industrial fiction and Hilary Schor's recent analysis of North and South in the context of discourse analysis. A chronology and selected bibliography are also included.
North and South
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"[An] admirable story ... full of character and power"
--Charles Dickens --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
--Charles Dickens --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Book Description
'A really remarkable picture of the reality, as well as the prosperity, of northern industrial life, and an interesting examination of changing social conscience' Joanna Trollope
--This text refers to an alternate
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This has been a favourite book of mine since I first read it nearly 20 years ago. It has parallels with Pride and Predjudice and many of Dickens' novels. The main theme is a passionate love story involving two very strong people from different worlds. It is set against a backdrop of the Industrial Revolution. Margaret Hale has led a very quiet and sheltered life in the rural south of England when circumstances force her to move to a rather grim northern city. The story of how she gets to know some of the people, in particular John Thornton one of the mill owners, and begins to understand their way of life is a compelling one. Anyone who has been watching the BBC adaption of North and South should read this book. The story has been been changed slightly to appeal to modern audiences but the essence is still there. Elizabeth Gaskell has been overlooked for far too long, in my opinion. Hopefully this will bring her to the notice of another generation of readers.
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By AGDA
Format:Paperback
I have to admit that I saw the BBC mini-series before reading the book, I know, shame on me for not reading more, but the thing is that I decided to read it to check how good was the adaptation and found in the first place a good book to read, nice characters, some great literary moments and interesting use of dialogue, slang, northern accent that makes it an amazing novel, and secondly, the adaptation in this case has been great, fantastic, probably due to the fact that Gaskell creates characters, dotes on them, offering us a complete view into their core, sometimes we get too much information but, I am not complaining. Thornton is one of those characters that will go with you for the rest of your life.
Hope you like it too.
Hope you like it too.
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By H. Proudfoot
Format:Paperback
I would certainly recommend this novel. I read it before the TV series came along, and loved it for itself. I read half the book in one night - so desperate was I to find out what happened - although I later regretted having almost skimmed through parts of it. This is a book with a lot to offer - from gritty portrails of life in working mill town, to the beautiful romance that is entwined in the dirt and grime like a silken ribbon slinking through a brier bush. The contrasts between the supposed ideallic life in the South and the harsh North are blurred and erased, as stereotypes are broken down through personal contact as the pages progress. It is a delight to read, giving delight to anyone with a romantic heart, or the harder feelings of someone interested in dealing with issues of empathy with the Victorian working classes.
Read it. You would a stoic indeed to regret it.
Read it. You would a stoic indeed to regret it.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By A Raddon
Format:Paperback
I loved the BBC adaptation but waited a while before reading the book so it would be fresh. And having just finished this book, what a great story! Political strife, supressed passion, women's rights, class conflict. The fact that Margaret Hale is a strong woman with her own mind (albeit misguided at times) made this story much more believable and enjoyable for me. Despite some bits that might be a little drier to read, I couldn't put it down once I got past the first few chapters. Bear with it! I think it helped having a picture of Richard Armitage in my head as Mr Thornton, as you don't really get an idea of how he looks from the story. However, I'm now watching the BBC adaptation again and have noticed that some really key parts of the story are changed from the book and remove some of the more subtle parts of the story. Plus they seem to make Mr Thornton a much less likeable character than in the book. So I thoroughly recommend this book. A much more exciting and believable story than many of the other Victorian novels I've read - or never managed to finish reading!
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Ed
Format:Paperback
I have to thank my English literature course for introducing me to such an awe-inspiring tale that crosses the social chasm with characters that transcend class. This review is much the same as the one I wrote for the BBC adaptation (which I also thoroughly recommend), but whether you read or watch this beautiful tale first, I am sure that you will enjoy it either way. This book is filled with the social commentary that applies to today's society as much as it applied to earlier times. Gaskell writes a completely captivating narration with such believable characters who you will cherish till the moving conclusion. I started this book simply intending to read a few chapters for homework but lo and behold, I finished it in the early hours of the morning 3 days after! The story is one of....no...I don't want to say anymore. Trust me. Just go and buy it!!! Read it because I guarantee that you won't regret it!
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having watched the first episode of the BBC drama I enjoyed it so much that I was compelled to buy the book and read it before the 2nd episode hit the screen. As with many TV adaptations the storyline is altered to please modern day tastes.
However I think that both the book and the series are a must, especially if you are a fan of "pride and Prejudice" as both have very proud strong male and female lead roles.
I only hope the TV series is put onto DVD as this would be another must for the collection.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've never written a review before but reading this novel has moved me enough to do so. After a lacklustre start, it picks up pace and really draws the reader in. I finished this just before the BBC1 adaptation, which although very good cannot convey the richness of the book in four episodes (although the dvd is a must buy)
Gaskell has vividly described the difference between the North and South that existed 150 years ago. You can imagine the beauty of the New Forest and feel the despair felt by the Hales when they move to smoky, dirty yet honest town of Milton (Manchester?)
the cotton mills and the poverty spring to life in your mind, but the one thing that makes this novel what it is is the physical attraction that Thornton feels for Margaret, as well as being attracted by her intelligence. He notices small things like bracelets tightening the flesh of her arm and stops her from having to testify in court.N&S has been unfavorably compared to Pride and Prejudice but P&P, whilst being very good, is not as gritty or as real as N&S. I think Miss HAle is far more likeable than Miss Bennett. It is certainly Gaskell's best novel and if you are a fan of romance or (a little dated) 19th century social commentary, don't let this book pass you by.
Gaskell has vividly described the difference between the North and South that existed 150 years ago. You can imagine the beauty of the New Forest and feel the despair felt by the Hales when they move to smoky, dirty yet honest town of Milton (Manchester?)
the cotton mills and the poverty spring to life in your mind, but the one thing that makes this novel what it is is the physical attraction that Thornton feels for Margaret, as well as being attracted by her intelligence. He notices small things like bracelets tightening the flesh of her arm and stops her from having to testify in court.N&S has been unfavorably compared to Pride and Prejudice but P&P, whilst being very good, is not as gritty or as real as N&S. I think Miss HAle is far more likeable than Miss Bennett. It is certainly Gaskell's best novel and if you are a fan of romance or (a little dated) 19th century social commentary, don't let this book pass you by.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Social History Comes alive
I was tempted by this book ( the first I have read of Mrs. Gaskell's I am ashamed to say) after seeing an interview with the two main characters from the tv version which I have... Read more
Published 3 days ago by ronald gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good old fashioned story.
I have already read the book, and enjoyed it, from a moral, philosophical, romantic
and political theme! Read more
and political theme! Read more
Published 6 days ago by Mr. J. FRIEDLANDER
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterpiece
I most probably have read this well over 30 times and I still enjoy reading it. It is my favourite book.
It made me cry, smile and laugh. Read more
It made me cry, smile and laugh. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Goddess of Blah Book Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable read
A well written and enjoyable book with several interesting plots other than the romantic one, although that is also an enjoyable element of the book. Read more
Published 12 days ago by helen
5.0 out of 5 stars
A replacement for a much loved book.
My paper copy of this novel is quite old and worse for wear. I enjoyed the Kindle version as much as the paper one.
Published 12 days ago by Holiday Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
Historical Insight
I enjoyed this book, especially as an insight into the Manchester of the 1850s. It is a picture of an outsiders view of the horrors of the industrial revolution which we now tend... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Cummings
5.0 out of 5 stars
North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
This was a Book Group choice so perhaps not one I would have selected myself. I loved it though. The story was so current given the present economic climate. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Carol E Duff
5.0 out of 5 stars
good book
a total classic book, love the tv series found it to be very enjoyable and would recommend it to everyone to watch and read the book especially if you like Richard artimage
Published 26 days ago by Anna Watson
3.0 out of 5 stars
(Audio CD) Cartoon vision of industrial dirt and restrained lust
"Darkshire" for the urban north? As in real life Manchester ? Hmm Who could take that seriously. And what was up with the old geezer upping sticks from his rural idyll -... Read more
Published 27 days ago by Duncan Howorth
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended reading for uni.
Granddaughter loves the book
It was bought for her as it had been suggested she read it as part of her background reading for university
It was bought for her as it had been suggested she read it as part of her background reading for university
Published 1 month ago by Ice Maiden
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