North & South discussion

Which did you prefer?

Our opinions will follow. :)

The Mods:
~Becca & Soph~

urmmmm. I am not sure. I saw the series first and I was blown over but when I read the book, I was sort of disappointed. I would not say that the series is better than the book but it took some aspects of the novel and gave it more life. However, there were so themes that the book cover much better for example the Industrial Revolution and the contrast with the South. Also the series lf some of the characters felt slightly different from the novel.

I read the book first and enjoyed it, but it didn't have the sort of appeal for me that would make me want to keep re-reading it.

Since I definitely re-watch the series, I'd have to say I prefer that :)

The mini-series is burned into my mind, so I no longer view it anymore - only in snippets for research purposes. ;)
But the book....sigh...I love to open it at random and follow whatever delicious anguish or tension is going on between the lovers. I adore getting lost in Gaskell's story. I feel for Margaret and Thornton. And the way the author writes Thornton's desperation !! I'm still looking for a novel I love more and haven't found any. :)

@Marren - I do know what you mean Marren, I think I prefer the series but that is not to say it is better than the book. There are a lot of things more developed in the book, as it often the case with book vs an adaptation!

@Louise - I think I prefer the series as it is an easier watch. I found the book very heavy going and it was long. Good but long. I found the Northern slang speak of the workers difficult to understand when I read it!

@Trudy - I do agree that it is easy to get lost in the book! I loved all the descriptions Gaskell included! But I also can't deny that I love to see it brought to life on screen, as it is done so well.

(I think my opinion comes through from those responses, but basically, I love the book and the series, but I prefer and would re watch the series before re reading the novel in a hurry.)

I was just listening to the series through headphones and can't believe I never appreciated before just how great the background noise is. Helstone is all nature sounds and Milton is so rough - the mill noises and the empty house - all of it adds to the atmosphere and you don't even notice it.

Is that right? I must listen for that more closely when I next watch it - headphones are very useful for that sort of thing!

The mini series. The book is too unnecessarily wordy. It was fine for classroom purposes but for ordinary daily life, I want a nice dose of romance. Plus, Richard Armitage = swoon!

Well, I just realised that I read the book almost three months ago, and still haven't given my opinion on this!

I think, in the end, I would have to say the series, though I also adore the book. No matter how many times I watch the series, I never get bored. Richard Armitage is, in particular, amazing, but all the other actors are also very genuine. Furthermore, the soundtrack is beautiful, the pacing perfect, and the locations and costumes I absolutely love. I don't think you could ask any more of a series than what North & South delivered.

The book... Don't get me wrong, I loved it. But there were times when it got a little bogged down, either talking about business or religion - neither of which I have anything against, but in moderation. However, the writing in the novel is beautiful (aside from that annoying workers speak...), with certain phrases that simply take ones breath away. I also loved getting inside the heads of some of the characters. I found that reading it added to my enjoyment of the series.

So overall, yes, I would have to say I slightly prefer the series. In the end, it's like everything really. The series is quicker and easier, a nice way to - as Qnpoohbear said - get a taste of romance in our busy lives. But the novel will always be there for those times I feel the need to take my time over this beautiful story. :)

I am glad you enjoyed the book Becca! I understand why the series is preferred however - I am the same, even though the book is fantastic! The workers northern speak was hard to understand!

Soph wrote: "I am glad you enjoyed the book Becca! I understand why the series is preferred however - I am the same, even though the book is fantastic! The workers northern speak was hard to understand!"

Calling the workers Northern speak hard to understand is quite a large understatement, actually. :P There were times when I could only pick a few words out of an entire sentence, and I had to cast my mind back to the series for reference, trying to think what they could be saying. But really, I did love the book, just a teensy tiny bit less than the series. :)

Well some people in the north are hard to understand because they do talk like that, some of them!

Ah, well that must be... interesting. I know some people sometimes find it hard to understand the actors of the northern workers in the series, but I never had any trouble understanding them - it's just so much worse in print!

I can easily understand them in the series because it is really played down, for the reason of being understandable I think!

Oh? Is it really that bad when you hear it in real life? Good God, I can only imagine...

Some people can have a really strong accent and I will have no idea what their going on about! Especially when they use their slang which combines words and things!

:D I see. Well, please know you have my deepest sympathies whenever you find yourself in such a situation. I just hope that it never happens to me...

It's not as bad as a strong Scottish accent - now that's impossible to understand and intimidating!

LOL. :D That is very true, I'm sure!

I've worked with a few people from Newcastle and while I could understand them in person, when they got home and called me on the phone, it was like another language.

And yes Scottish can be difficult to follow, an excited Glaswegian especially ;)

Ahahaha yes Louise!!! You are so right!