Martine's review of North and South
North and South (Penguin Popular Classics) by Elizabeth Gaskell
Martine's review
rating:
bookshelves:
british,
film,
nineteenth-century,
romance,
social-history
recommended for:
Charlotte Bronte fans
status:
Read in February, 2006
A couple of years ago I had the tremendous fortune to see the BBC's adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, which may well top their mid-nineties adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as the best period mini-series they have ever produced. In fact, it's rather like Pride and Prejudice in some regards, only it has more passion and intensity and a slightly more modern, industrialised setting.
Like the mini-series, Gaskell's book tells the story of Margaret Hale and John Thornton, two passionate people who dislike each other at first but grow to love each other deeply, only to be thwarted by misunderstandings, class boundaries and other setbacks. She is a smart, independent young woman from the civilised south of England who dislikes the rough northern mill town to which she has just moved, but learns to adapt and open up to her new environment; he is a rich mill owner who starts out being a strict disciplinarian but comes to sympathise with his much-abused ...more
Like the mini-series, Gaskell's book tells the story of Margaret Hale and John Thornton, two passionate people who dislike each other at first but grow to love each other deeply, only to be thwarted by misunderstandings, class boundaries and other setbacks. She is a smart, independent young woman from the civilised south of England who dislikes the rough northern mill town to which she has just moved, but learns to adapt and open up to her new environment; he is a rich mill owner who starts out being a strict disciplinarian but comes to sympathise with his much-abused ...more
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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaw! I have to admit I actually prefer the proposal scene in Pride and Prejudice, partly because it's better written and partly because I think Jennifer Ehle is a better actress than Daniela Denby-Ashe, but God, isn't Richard Armitage something?I just spent five very agreeable minutes watching this. The look in his eyes is completely over the top and the kiss is historically improbable, but seriously, WOW. Swoon.
I'm now going to have to watch the whole series again.
Daniela Denby-Ashe was dire casting. *shudders* But, Richard Armitage was incandescent. Tis a shame he descended into eyeliner, bondage gear and self parody.
*shakes fist at BBC*
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7P2...
Yeah, that Robin Hood series was ill-advised. I watched a few episodes, then gave up, disgusted at the bad writing and sloppy editing. Richard Armitage's eyeliner was the least of that series' problems.Funny, I now have a mad craving to watch the 1980s Robin of Sherwood series as well as North and South. Damn it, this way I'm never going to get any work done!
Heh. Yes, the mullet was unfortunate. But hey! Michael Praed was pretty hot, even if he was a little too aware of it himself. And the series rocked. They should just broadcast that again, rather than waste money on an ill-conceived new series.God, I'm turning into a bitter old woman, aren't I?
*goes back to YouTube to watch some more North and South*
