From the Bookshelf of Classics for Beginners…

North and South

Elizabeth Gaskell

Start date: March 1, 2019

Finish date: March 31, 2019

Discussion: Upcoming Reads

Why we're reading this: Group read for March
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last updated Mar 31, 2017 12:48PM

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last updated Sep 21, 2019 02:39AM

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What Members Thought

Aug 05, 2011 bookwyrmemma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: print, genre-historical, favorites, ebook, audiobook, 2013-read, theme-hea, theme-male-pov, classics

I have finally read this book. Having seen the miniseries before reading the novel made my patience level be even lower than usual. There is just something about classics, which makes it so much harder for me to slog through. I have been fortunate enough to read some of Gaskell’s other works prior to this: Cranford and that book of Victorian “haunted” short stories; so I wasn’t unfamiliar to her writing style. She is a pretty readable author for her times. When I was reading this, I employed the I have finally read this book. Having seen the miniseries before reading the novel made my patience level be even lower than usual. There is just something about classics, which makes it so much harder for me to slog through. I have been fortunate enough to read some of Gaskell’s other works prior to this: Cranford and that book of Victorian “haunted” short stories; so I wasn’t unfamiliar to her writing style. She is a pretty readable author for her times. When I was reading this, I employed the use of the Juliet Stevenson audiobook as well. It wasn’t necessarily needed but I prefer using audiobooks in conjunction with classics because it makes it easier to follow along and I love listening to it being read by someone with a British accent. Stevenson did a fantastic job. All of the voices were lovely; Thornton’s was a bit different for me because I imagine Richard Armitage as Thornton (which is as it should be, he did a wonderful job in the miniseries!) so every time in the novel he had dialogue, it always seemed wrong because it wasn’t in Armitage’s voice.

I really did quite like the book. I knew I loved the story because I adored the miniseries. I am so happy I “read” the book; doing it brought to light Thornton’s character. It brings a level of complexity, which makes the miniseries version shine even brighter. It also brings to light the fact the miniseries is quite closely done to the novel. There are a few discrepancies; majorly the ending of the miniseries doesn’t align with the book at all, but to be perfectly honest, I prefer the miniseries version more. That kiss was so enchanting! I adored each scene which was about Thornton, his thoughts, or even when he was just mentioned. I loved being able to get inside his head; Gaskell made such a lovely character when she created Thornton. He is by far, a wonderful Hero in the history of romantic novels. I would have to say I adore him as much as the Austen ones (although I have always liked him after watching the miniseries, but I like him even more now by having the novel narrative also under my belt). He is by far one of my favorite characters—his loyalty and undying love remind me quite a bit of another of my favorite characters (Severus Snape from HP books). To be sure, Thornton reminds me of a mixture of Col. Brandon & Severus (two characters played by the same actor!).

Rating: 4.75/5.0—I take a few points off for the abrupt ending—and it was implied they got “together” in the end… but overall I would have loved to have had more scenes with John and Margaret together. And as much as I adored Thornton and his unwavering loyal love for Margaret, I would have also liked to have seen a bit more character development/progress in Margaret’s affection for him. ...more

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Jul 18, 2014 Elizabeth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wasn't it all sure whether to give this 4 or 5 stars (a dilemma I often hear of on booktube).

Went for 4 in terms of personal enjoyment, but for quality of writing, plot detail and characterisation it surely deserves a 5.

I didn't get through it very quickly and wasn't really a page-turner; nevertheless I would thoroughly recommend it for anyone interested in 19th century classics. ...more

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