Reviews

North and south Annotated by Elizabeth Gaskell

jchelseaw's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I enjoyed the story that was told, but the way it was told was so slow! I understand that's the Victorian style, but I just felt like it was dragging on and on so much for most of the beginning and most of the end. The middle was great, between being established at Milton and her father's death, it's very readable, but before and after that it's so slooooow and it's like slogging through mud trying to find little nuggets of gold. And that ENDING! Oh my, I genuinely thought my kindle had failed to download the full text. I was so mad at that ending. Over 400 pages of build up and three sentences of an ending? Bah!

For all I dislike, I did love the story. I recommend reading it, but only if you REALLY like to read.

saoirse_b's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective 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

4.0

sathyasekar's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I reread this after almost 3 decades. It holds up very well even today. I know I did like the book all those years ago but what struck me most this time round was Miss Gaskell's skill in building the narrative meticulously. Ño sentence felt overt long. The strength of the book is it's exploration of working classess and their stance against the factory owners. Margaret's struggles in keeping her family going while also connecting with the struggling families is beautifully drawn. The romance somehow never felt very convincing to me. It felt rather forced, and caused an ending that felt short though happy.

anahosseini's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective sad 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

3.5

berberuh's review against another edition

Go to review page

Eh, the 2004 BBC production was better...

fiorow's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

i have not read a book that i haven’t wanted to finish in so long. i just can’t believe it’s over. i poured over these pages like they were my life source, i haven’t loved a book this deeply in ages. i wish it went on forever, i wish i could spend every day reading it. this is immediately a favourite. i will think about this book until the day i die.

that is to say: wow, i liked this a lot!

stockholm_syndrome's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional 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

4.0

celia_rlo's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

penny25's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

While the story is very vivid in it description, it tends to become a bit weary at times because of the same. The story at times can become a bit drag.
Over the course of the story, I feel the leading lady to be a conflicted heroine that makes some very strange out of character choices. The chemistry between the leading pair is evident but the change of hearts from both of them seems very abrupt and unbelievable at times.
The portrayal of the industrial revolution and conflicts between the class is apt and gives a great deal of insight into the struggles of that period.
A one time read.

kristen_mcevoy's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad slow-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

4.0