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North & South
- GenresClassics
480 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2025
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Gaskell
1,146 books3,772 followersElizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, née Stevenson (29 September 1810 – 12 November 1865), often referred to simply as Mrs. Gaskell, was an English novelist and short story writer during the Victorian era. Her novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of many strata of society, including the very poor, and as such are of interest to social historians as well as lovers of literature.
AKA:
Елізабет Гаскелл (Ukrainian)
AKA:
Елізабет Гаскелл (Ukrainian)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 22, 2025
4.5 Stars. I've heard mixed reviews of those who have watched the BBC mini-series and then read the book, saying the book was boring or they didn't like the ending.
I very much disagree. I truly loved the book, because I love the mini series. The book simply gives more depth, more detail, more unfolding of the beloved (and not so beloved) characters from North and South. I appreciated the ability to become acquainted more deeply with some of the characters' stories, their intents and purposes in ways that a mini series, no matter how well done, simply cannot capture. However, I was delighted and pleasantly surprised at the accuracy of the casting in the BBC version as per the descriptions of scenes and characters in the book. The casting is superb.
Overall, the author had a deep intention of adding more spirituality, as one would expect from a minister and a minister's daughter. Margaret is passionately devoted to her principles and bible knowledge and often quotes scripture to others in defence of her reasoning and decision-making. I appreciated the author beginning each chapter with a quote from various authors or poets.
I adore Mr Thornton!!! The movie series cannot do him justice, even with the impeccable and swoonworthy performance of Richard Armitage. Mr Thornton falls so deeply in love with Margaret, much sooner in the story, and the determined, desperate way he adores, admires and esteems her in every way is so very hard to portray in the TV series. He's so genuinely moving, admirable and wholly wonderful.
While this is a rather sad, melancholy and darker story (high death count), it also has a lot of depth of character; the cost of facing the hard realities in life, both from our own decisions and consequences, as well as unforeseen circumstances and choices of others. The ability to find and gain new perspectives through learning to know and understand those around you is a theme I appreciate deeply from this story.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
"Mrs. Shaw had as strong wishes as most people, but she never liked to do anything from the open and acknowledged motive of her own goodwill and pleasure; she preferred being compelled to gratify herself by some other person's command or desire. She really did persuade herself that she was submitting to some hard external necessity, and thus she was able to moan and complain in her soft manner, all the time she was in reality doing just what she liked."
"One can bear pain and sorrow better if one thinks it has been prophesied long before for one. Somehow, then it seems as if my pain was needed for the fulfilment, otherwise it seems all sent for nothing."
"He knew how she would love. He had not loved her without gaining that instinctive knowledge of what capabilities were in her. Her soul would walk in glorious sunlight if any man was worthy, by his power of loving, to win back her love.”
"Miss Hale might love another--was indifferent and contemptuous to him--but he would yet do her faithful acts of service of which she should never know. He might despise her, but the woman whom he had once loved should be kept from shame; and shame it would be to pledge herself to a lie in a public court, or otherwise to stand and acknowledge her reason for desiring darkness rather than light."
"Since the very sight of that face and form, the very sounds of that voic,e like the soft winds of pure melody, had such power to move him from his balance."
I very much disagree. I truly loved the book, because I love the mini series. The book simply gives more depth, more detail, more unfolding of the beloved (and not so beloved) characters from North and South. I appreciated the ability to become acquainted more deeply with some of the characters' stories, their intents and purposes in ways that a mini series, no matter how well done, simply cannot capture. However, I was delighted and pleasantly surprised at the accuracy of the casting in the BBC version as per the descriptions of scenes and characters in the book. The casting is superb.
Overall, the author had a deep intention of adding more spirituality, as one would expect from a minister and a minister's daughter. Margaret is passionately devoted to her principles and bible knowledge and often quotes scripture to others in defence of her reasoning and decision-making. I appreciated the author beginning each chapter with a quote from various authors or poets.
I adore Mr Thornton!!! The movie series cannot do him justice, even with the impeccable and swoonworthy performance of Richard Armitage. Mr Thornton falls so deeply in love with Margaret, much sooner in the story, and the determined, desperate way he adores, admires and esteems her in every way is so very hard to portray in the TV series. He's so genuinely moving, admirable and wholly wonderful.
While this is a rather sad, melancholy and darker story (high death count), it also has a lot of depth of character; the cost of facing the hard realities in life, both from our own decisions and consequences, as well as unforeseen circumstances and choices of others. The ability to find and gain new perspectives through learning to know and understand those around you is a theme I appreciate deeply from this story.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
"Mrs. Shaw had as strong wishes as most people, but she never liked to do anything from the open and acknowledged motive of her own goodwill and pleasure; she preferred being compelled to gratify herself by some other person's command or desire. She really did persuade herself that she was submitting to some hard external necessity, and thus she was able to moan and complain in her soft manner, all the time she was in reality doing just what she liked."
"One can bear pain and sorrow better if one thinks it has been prophesied long before for one. Somehow, then it seems as if my pain was needed for the fulfilment, otherwise it seems all sent for nothing."
"He knew how she would love. He had not loved her without gaining that instinctive knowledge of what capabilities were in her. Her soul would walk in glorious sunlight if any man was worthy, by his power of loving, to win back her love.”
"Miss Hale might love another--was indifferent and contemptuous to him--but he would yet do her faithful acts of service of which she should never know. He might despise her, but the woman whom he had once loved should be kept from shame; and shame it would be to pledge herself to a lie in a public court, or otherwise to stand and acknowledge her reason for desiring darkness rather than light."
"Since the very sight of that face and form, the very sounds of that voic,e like the soft winds of pure melody, had such power to move him from his balance."
May 22, 2025
I had a really good time reading this again.
Margaret is such an interesting character and when you think about her situation, sent to London as a small child to live with wealthy relatives only to return and take care of two very emotionally needy parents, it's no wonder she was so cut off from her own emotions. You feel her grappling through the whole book - Who am I? What can I offer? and it's very poignant. And yet, she busts right in when the men are talking with all her opinions about labor and holds her own against Mrs. Thornton so she does have quite the spine.
Labor conversations are fascinating and easily extrapolated to today's anti-Union environment. Is building your employees a cafeteria more fair than raising their wages? Is controlling what your employees do in the their leisure time morally right?
Gaskell is also funnier than remembered. Mr. Bell is hilarious and the book ends with a delicious piece of surprising wit from Margaret.
The religiousness of Gaskell always leaves me a little cold and this was no exception and the anti-Catholic/anti Irish sentiment is pretty unpleasant.
One thing that surprised me is that knowing Gaskell was, if not an abolitionist, at least aware of the injustices of the slave trade, that the issue of enslaved labor and the cotton trade didn't come up more. Obviously, they were connected but there is no mention in North and South. And does the slave trade have anything to do with Frederick's court martial? If so, I missed it.
The new Smith & Taylor edition is gorgeous and the after conversation is fun and not too scholarly.
Margaret is such an interesting character and when you think about her situation, sent to London as a small child to live with wealthy relatives only to return and take care of two very emotionally needy parents, it's no wonder she was so cut off from her own emotions. You feel her grappling through the whole book - Who am I? What can I offer? and it's very poignant. And yet, she busts right in when the men are talking with all her opinions about labor and holds her own against Mrs. Thornton so she does have quite the spine.
Labor conversations are fascinating and easily extrapolated to today's anti-Union environment. Is building your employees a cafeteria more fair than raising their wages? Is controlling what your employees do in the their leisure time morally right?
Gaskell is also funnier than remembered. Mr. Bell is hilarious and the book ends with a delicious piece of surprising wit from Margaret.
The religiousness of Gaskell always leaves me a little cold and this was no exception and the anti-Catholic/anti Irish sentiment is pretty unpleasant.
One thing that surprised me is that knowing Gaskell was, if not an abolitionist, at least aware of the injustices of the slave trade, that the issue of enslaved labor and the cotton trade didn't come up more. Obviously, they were connected but there is no mention in North and South. And does the slave trade have anything to do with Frederick's court martial? If so, I missed it.
The new Smith & Taylor edition is gorgeous and the after conversation is fun and not too scholarly.
October 19, 2025
I read this long Victorian novel in preparation for a book discussion and a later visit to the author’s home. I listened to the first half and enjoyed the accents and dialects, but switched to the print version to meet the deadline.
Our group was divided—most favored Margaret and disliked Mr. Thornton. I took the opposite view: Margaret struck me as rather snooty, while Mr. Thornton came across as an earnest, hardworking man who was willing to listen, learn, and change. The debate made for a lively and engaging discussion.
I’m so glad I read this book and look forward to exploring more of this author’s work.
Our group was divided—most favored Margaret and disliked Mr. Thornton. I took the opposite view: Margaret struck me as rather snooty, while Mr. Thornton came across as an earnest, hardworking man who was willing to listen, learn, and change. The debate made for a lively and engaging discussion.
I’m so glad I read this book and look forward to exploring more of this author’s work.
July 8, 2025
4.5; I really enjoyed this book. It is a thick and kinda of challenging book at some points, mostly be nature of the writing and the time period. Thornton and Margaret are so sweet together, they yearn in a way that reminds me of P&P. Thornton is so invested in her from the beginning and I love it. I think the side characters and plot of this really do add a lot of layers. There’s a lot of social commentary as expected. Edith reminds me of Mary from Persuasion. Overall really enjoyed even though it took me like 2 months to finish.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews