[audiobook] North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell at Arts-Photography

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Worth reading for perspective on the periodBy Paul in L.A.This book is not natural or entirely credible. it has melodramatic aspects that comprise true flaws by this point. and yet theres enough to it to make the read worthwhile. I prefer Cranford. a less ambitious effort that achieves more: its more limited and addresses the modest. constrained lives of women of a certain class in a small town - and every bit rings true. In contrast. North and South is more serious. trying harder and encompassing a bigger world. not entirely successfully. It departs from women and domesticity to try to deal with the world of men. business. capital. social conflict. and Justice. It suffers from a flawless heroine with dud parents. caregivers and advisors - and just how. if neither through nature nor nurture. did she become who she is? But theres enough emotional realism to make me wish somebody would smack each of those parents. enough political and cultural content to make a person think. and enough cryptic sexuality to merit attention. After a first proposal. what the main character feels is shame; when a man first meets a beautiful young woman. he cant stop being aware of and troubled by the way her bracelet presses the white flesh of her arm as she pours tea. Also theres something satisfying about the ending. So if youre inclined toward this realm of fiction. do give this one try.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Sweeping Victorian novel of love. struggle. and changeBy Kyle L. Rhynerson"North and South" is a sweeping Victorian novel published serially in 1854 and in book form a year later. It tells the story of Margaret Hale. a young lady who endures change. hardship. and the sting of death as her family moves from the countryside of Southern England to an industrial town in Northern England.Miss Hale is a strong female character who breaks away from the traditional subservient role. She finds herself in an interesting setting where she has ties to the poor. the everyday working man. as well as the upper crust of society in the industrial town of Milton.Some might brush this novel aside as a mere love story between Miss Hale and her two suitors Henry Lennox and John Thornton. but it also tackles social issues regarding the life and relationships of "men and masters" as the two classes struggle against each other at times in the common interest of manufacturing. Religion also plays a minor role in the novel as some characters struggle with doubts. some have no faith. and others draw hope and guidance from their faith in God.Overall. I found this an enjoyable read following Miss Hales growth over a couple years. and seeing how her perception changes - her perception of the tranquility and even hardships found in the South. and her perception of the industrial North. A comment by her godfather Mr. Bell really summarized what Margaret learned firsthand in this novel. "It is the first changes among familiar things that make such a mystery of time to the young; afterwards we lose the sense of the mysterious. I take changes in all I see as a matter of course. The instability of all human things is familiar to me. to you it is new and oppressive."0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great CharactersBy Frelisa WalkerNorth and South reveals themes about class distinct. control and independence. Gaskell writes about people from different backgrounds that intensifies the drama in this terrific written book.The main characters who stick out in my mind are Mrs. Thornton and Miss Hale. These two characters give the reader a realistic image of the attitudes and beliefs during the time the novel takes place.Gaskell has skills as a writer. this is especially shown in the Chapter False and Truth where she moves from the mind of Margaret and Mr. Watson not missing a beat in her writing pace even during Mr. Watsons questioning. The author weaves vivid scenes of the setting. Helstone becomes a fairy tale come true when Mr. Thornton visits the place. Miltons description is described in detail proving it is a tough and rough city to survive. The class distinct woes are not preachy however it express through the actions of the workers. Control is a big issue in the book. The most disturbing to me is how the characters Boucher and Margaret struggle with the way people perceive them and the way they must conform to society expectations. For these reasons. I recommend North and South.The negative part of the book is the difficulty reading through the dialogue of the book when the workers converse. This slow me down since Im not familiar with it.Having My SayMargaret puts up with a whole lot of mess and it has gotten to a point of ridiculous nonsense. The fact she follows her father to a place that unsuited from their former kind of living. Her mother or her couldnt question his reasons and somehow find a better place than Milton. Her mother Mrs. Hale slips in pity insult such as people love your brother and everybody love to get along with him unlike you. She never speaks much good about her daughter. The final draw for me has been that it is seen improper for Margaret to visit her dying godfather Mr. Bell. What is the guy going to do in his dying state? So she waits until Captain Lennox pack a bag and go with her. Mr. Bell is dead when she arrives. Gaskells reveals the absurdity in her Aunts beliefs. This book is filled with annoying characters I couldnt stop reading it. One of the best is the maid who believes she is the best of Mrs. Hales children. Final thought. the mother. father. and maid should have kicked the bucket and be bury all together. Maybe then Margaret could have some peace.