Reviews

North and south Annotated by Elizabeth Gaskell

eleanorrbc's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

superflydi's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ejwilf98's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I thought this book was beautifully written. When I found out Dickens published it originally, I was worried it would be in his excessively wordy style, but it was much better. It’s very Victorian plot-wise (so many deaths), but I was struck by how relevant the social issues regarding unions, class divides, etc remain today. I’m somewhat surprised this book isn’t more widely read for that reason - perhaps due to its (unrelated) parallels with Pride and Prejudice?

The only thing that wasn’t for me was how religious it was! Even for the Victorian era, it felt like a lot of God. Also the dialect was so annoying to read/so over the top. 

heliea's review against another edition

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5.0

I have a new love and it's embodied in this books and its BBC adaptation.
I've read the ending twice.

ok3's review against another edition

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informative relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was immensely enjoyable. Slow, but in a way as to be savored. Themes on communication, 1850s mortality rates, and class and locality relationships. How many worlds away is this book and how many worlds away were those people. The imagery was vivid and lovely.  

odilum's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5*

amaraji11's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

silviasbookreviews's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.0

Amigas, qué tedioso se me ha hecho este libro. Aunque sí que es cierto que había alguna que otra parte que me ha resultado interesante y que, para ser un clásico, se lee bastante bien, me ha producido 0 interés la historia y los personajes. Edith es insufrible, Margaret muy repipi y Mr Thornton muy condescendiente. Además, mucha parte del libro habla sobre religión y política, precisamente dos temas que no me interesan en exceso. Es como un Orgullo y prejuicio pero en versión aburrida y supermachacada. Siento que he perdido un poco el tiempo con este libro.

barbiealsmalerin's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

aloeleaf's review against another edition

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5.0

I've read Gaskell's Wives and Daughters and enjoyed it, but I absolutely loved North and South. It's not just a (good) romance story, but a very fascinating 19th century commentary on the industrial revolution and on labor. I felt that in its latter theme, it was actually very fair, noting the good and bad of both sides of the issue. And for a book filled with so much death and sadness, it was very optimistic and happy.