I first heard of this book several years ago from watching a BBC mini-series based on the book. I loved the story but soon forgot about it until I saw a copy of the novel at a library book sale. I finally decided to read it (and listen to it) this year as part of my goal to read the books I already own (please clap). I enjoyed the book overall, and though it is fairly different from most of the books I read, I found the story engaging and insightful.

Now, while the story was engaging, I will admit that it did start a bit slow. But once it picks up, you really come to love each of the characters. You get to hear the thoughts of different characters, which leaves you more sympathetic to all and in a state of suspense for the ending. Several times I thought there were too many pages for the ending I wanted, and then suddenly there were not enough, only for me to happily arrive at the end. And I was somewhat surprised, for while I had seen the mini-series, the book was different and, in many ways, as is typical, better. I was also reminded that while the people at this time were more conservative overall and more refined and thoughtful in how they spoke, they were also much more brutal in their speech and thoughts. And they said truth and hidden meanings so much better!

I did appreciate Gaskell’s writing, though I don’t love it as much as Austen. Where the latter is wittier and quite funny, writing a comedy with Pride and Prejudice, Gaskell is more contemplative, seeking to provide a well-scoped view of that time and life as well as to show what was changing. Along those lines, she also depicts men and women in ways not typically seen in literature, yet making them more real. Her novel seeks to show the contrast between tradition and change, and the good and bad that came with both. Finally, she highlights the conflicts surrounding work, religion, and family, ultimately trying to find what values matter most. All this she does in one wonderful novel.

This is a book of changing times and perspectives, of facing realities and foolishly overthrowing traditions, of discoveries and the losses that came with them, and of love and understanding between men and women in those turbulent times. This book, while a good story, is also intellectual, providing food for thought without pushing a particular viewpoint too harshly, as every good story should do.

Blessings to you and yours,

~Madelyn Rose Craig