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
[close] Group read for March

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 50 topics — 2,219 comments total

Upcoming Reads

* List of Previous Group Reads
By Nicolle · 8 posts · 551 views

last updated Mar 31, 2017 12:48PM

July Nominations
By Elizabeth · 19 posts · 96 views

last updated Sep 21, 2019 02:39AM

showing 10 of 15 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Nov 27, 2022 Natalie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell is a love story with a strong social and moral message. It’s about clashes of classes, justices, injustices and hierarchy.

North and South introduces us to two of British literature’s greatest characters in Margaret Hale and John Thornton. As with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Margaret and Mr. Thornton are remarkable on an individual level, but together, they are something else altogether. Their chemistry is overcharging.

Mr. Thornton is my new ever growing o North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell is a love story with a strong social and moral message. It’s about clashes of classes, justices, injustices and hierarchy.

North and South introduces us to two of British literature’s greatest characters in Margaret Hale and John Thornton. As with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Margaret and Mr. Thornton are remarkable on an individual level, but together, they are something else altogether. Their chemistry is overcharging.

Mr. Thornton is my new ever growing obsession. About 30 years old, he is “neither exactly plain, nor yet handsome,” and is “not quite a gentleman,” according to Margaret. He was born poor but was able to raise himself up to one of the richest (and most eligible bachelor’s) and most respected men in Milton.

I love Margaret Hale. Much like Elizabeth Bennet there’s steel in that woman. She is dutiful and loving and faithful and considerate. She got opinions and she don’t hold back. (There is also a future mother- in- law who despises her.)

Of course, Margaret is not always keenly aware of what’s really going on. She most definitely have prejudices and blindspots. But when she do come to realize she has judged in error, she’s able to acknowledge her mistaken perspective and change her mind.

Poor Margaret is thrust from one home to another three different times in the book: from London to Helstone, from Helstone to Milton, and from Milton back to London again.

Moving to Milton is a harsh change for her, although there are definitely some hidden silver linings. But as a whole, things continue to worsen for our poor heroine.

There’s a tremendous amount of gloom and tragedy in North and South. Gaskell’s story could be seen as a glimpse into the hardest three years of Margaret’s life. Seven deaths occur in North and South and all of them impact Margaret Hale. But it’s also a turbulent romance filled with sexual undertones; for a Victorian novel of its time, it has some steamy stuff.

The 2 pages conclusion on the “will or won’t they” relationship is THE perfect ending but miles from satisfying. Still, a perfect 5 stars from me.
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Charlotte rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, interesting-female-characters, diverse-cultures, families, social-commentary, religion-is-involved, authors-female, read-again, set-in-uk

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have heard a lot of people draw comparisons between North and South and Pride and Prejudice. There are certainly similarities - initial mutual dislike between hero and heroine born out of misunderstanding and social inequality, the hero making a marriage proposal which is at first rejected by the heroine, the hero doing something altruistic to make the heroine change her mind about him. And, as the strong silent type, Mr Thornton is a bit like Mr Darcy. However, I think in character it is Marg ...more

Like · see review