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Elizabeth Gaskell
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North and South (Penguin Classics) Paperback – June 1, 1996

by Elizabeth Gaskell (Author), Patricia Ingham (Introduction)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 8,906 ratings
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As relevant now as when it was first published, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South skilfully weaves a compelling love story into a clash between the pursuit of profit and humanitarian ideals. This Penguin Classics edition is edited with an introduction by Patricia Ingham. When her father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience, Margaret Hale is uprooted from her comfortable home in Hampshire to move with her family to the North of England. Initially repulsed by the ugliness of her new surroundings in the industrial town of Milton, Margaret becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of local mill workers and develops a passionate sense of social justice. This is intensified by her tempestuous relationship with the mill-owner and self-made man John Thornton, as their fierce opposition over his treatment of his employees masks a deeper attraction. In North and South Gaskell skilfully fused individual feeling with social concern, and in Margaret Hale created one of the most original heroines of Victorian literature. In her introduction Patricia Ingham examines Elizabeth Gaskell's treatment of geographical, economic and class differences, and the male and female roles portrayed in the novel. This edition also includes further reading, notes and a useful glossary. Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-65) was born in London, but grew up in the north of England in the village of Knutsford. In 1832 she married the Reverend William Gaskell and had four daughters, and one son who died in infancy. Her first novel, Mary Barton, was published in 1848, winning the attention of Charles Dickens, and most of her later work was published in his journals, including Cranford (1853), serialised in Dickens's Household Words. She was also a lifelong friend of Charlotte Brontë, whose biography she wrote. If you enjoyed North and South, you might like Jane Austen's Persuasion, also available in Penguin Classics. '[An] admirable story ... full of character and power' Charles Dickens
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  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 1996
  5. Dimensions
    5.1 x 0.86 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780140434248
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140434248
  8. Lexile measure
    860L
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"[An] admirable story … full of character and power"
—Charles Dickens

From the Back Cover

From her home ground, her father's comfortably middle-class living in Hampshire and her aunt's establishment in Harley Street, Margaret is exiled to the ugly northern industrial town of Milton. Surprisingly, her social consciousness awakens. It is intensified by a relationship with the local mill-owner, Thornton, that combines passionate attraction with fierce opposition. The novel explores the exploitation of the working class, linking the plight of workers with that of women and probing the myth and reality of the 'north-south divide'.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0140434240
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics; Revised ed. edition (June 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780140434248
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140434248
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 860L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.86 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 8,906 ratings

About the author

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Elizabeth Gaskell

Elizabeth Gaskell

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Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell was born in London in 1810, but she spent her formative years in Cheshire, Stratford-upon-Avon and the north of England. In 1832 she married the Reverend William Gaskell, who became well known as the minister of the Unitarian Chapel in Manchester’s Cross Street. As well as leading a busy domestic life as minister’s wife and mother of four daughters, she worked among the poor, traveled frequently and wrote. Mary Barton (1848) was her first success.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
8,906 global ratings
This really appeals to a book lover.
4 Stars
This really appeals to a book lover.
On my haunt to find vintage pocket sized books, I ran into Macmillan collector's library. It is very important to me to read classic books printed with a look that does justice to the author and the content. This one has everything I was looking for, the size is just right, the font size it's readable, this one doesn't have illustrations though. And I took one star because of the color of the pages, it would have been nice to use yellowish pages, white color seems too modern. Overall, beautiful little books, I think they enhance the reading experience.
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Top reviews from the United States

CAL
5.0 out of 5 stars A love story, along with a socio-economic view that’s still relevant now
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Brilliantly written love story with the backdrop of the socio-economic upheavals of the time. In fact, the unions, the strike, and the “replacement workers” have the fresh similarities of the still antagonistic relationship in today’s business climate. Fantastic read!
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sharris
1.0 out of 5 stars North and South
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2011
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I won't be able to review this book until I can find one with print that is big enough for me to see. I would like to have known how small the print was before I made the purchase. Another reason I mourn the loss of real live book stores. Very disappointed.
8 people found this helpful
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Frank Donnelly
4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Fine Novel About Various Social Classes Within Victorian England
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2019
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"North and South" is a well written novel by iconic Victorian author Elizabeth Gaskell. It is her third novel. It is of medium length, and, allowing for the fact that Victorian Literature is not the same as modern conversational American English, is mostly highly readable. I liked the novel very much.

I have only read one other major novel by Elizabeth Gaskell prior to this one. It is her first novel, "Mary Barton". I liked this novel much more. Both of these novels are stories about different social and economic classes in Victorian England. Both novels include episodes of economic strife and extreme hardship among the urban poor. Both involve the examples of the rich being indifferent at times and virtuous at other times.

I was ambivalent about "Mary Barton". There were times that I felt it was preachy and unrealistic. Sort of Charles Dickens without the wry humor and dimension of entertainment. Having now read this novel I am concerned that I was unfair in my assessment of "Mary Barton". This novel, "North and South" seems to have more wry humor and also a gentle romantic dimension that was pleasant and interesting to contemplate, while at the same time addressing very dreadful issues of poverty and hunger among the urban poor.

I did not like it as much as many Charles Dickens novels but that is a fairly high bar for me. Of the Charles Dickens novels that I have read, this novel reminds me most of "Hard Times". I actually liked this novel better than "Hard Times" but I have liked every other novel by Charles Dickens that I have ever read better than this one.

As for George Eliot, my favorite author, while Victorian, she stands alone in my personal literary universe. I find her work so nuanced, intellectually sophisticated, and multifaceted that I cannot easily compare her works to other authors, Victorian or otherwise. I suppose this novel most reminds of "Felix Holt The Radical". But to me the novels are at two different levels, as if one is comparing Christopher Marlowe to Shakespeare.

If one is a Jane Austen fan, in the event that it matters, I have read every work that has been published authored by Jane Austen, including incomplete works published after her death. I still prefer Jane Austen to Elizabeth Gaskell. Jane Austen is, of course, pre Victorian. While humorous and romantic, Jane Austen's work does not focus on the extreme poverty of Industrial Age England.

In summary, I am very glad to have had the opportunity to read "North and South". My opinion is that this novel has more warmth, gentle humor, and a romantic aspect that "Mary Barton" did not have. I am anxious that I am now being unfair in my recollections of "Mary Barton". It does all of this while still addressing the same important social and economic issues of the author's first novel. After a short respite from this author I believe I will next read "Cranford". Thank You...
23 people found this helpful
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nb
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this edition -- font size is unreadable
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2011
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Fantastic book but this is a terrible edition. The FONT SIZE IS HORRIBLE. Buy another edition of this book! THE FONT SIZE IN THIS EDITION IS TERRIBLE.
6 people found this helpful
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Dawn
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
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I absolutely love this. When I bought it. I didn't realize pocket size literally meant pocket size. I foolishly ignored that bit of information. When I received it I was disappointed. However it didn't take long for me to not just like but love it. It is beautiful. The book has a lovely flower print pressed into it. The fact it can fit in anything and so easy to take along anywhere makes it an absolute delight. I loved the show and wanted so badly to read the book and see if it was even better. I now wish all books were pocket sized lol. :) buy it!
One person found this helpful
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dw
3.0 out of 5 stars be prepared to get a new glasses prescription
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2011
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LOVED the book--but I am not sure why the publishers felt like they had to scrimp on the number of pages and squish everything into 6 pt font! The BBC movie is just as or perhaps even more lovely.
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Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars Beloved Story
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2011
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I saw the video version of North and South before I read the book. Both were excellent. I was pleased that one of the violent scenes in the video did not occur in the written narrative. However the ending in the video was more to my taste than the original. Either way, book or video, I would recommend both be experienced. You will not regret the time you spend enjoying these treasures.
4 people found this helpful
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Frelisa Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Characters
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016
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North and South reveals themes about class distinct, control and independence. Gaskell writes about people from different backgrounds that intensifies the drama in this terrific written book.The main characters who stick out in my mind are Mrs. Thornton and Miss Hale. These two characters give the reader a realistic image of the attitudes and beliefs during the time the novel takes place.

Gaskell has skills as a writer, this is especially shown in the Chapter False and Truth where she moves from the mind of Margaret and Mr. Watson not missing a beat in her writing pace even during Mr. Watson's questioning. The author weaves vivid scenes of the setting. Helstone becomes a fairy tale come true when Mr. Thornton visits the place. Milton's description is described in detail proving it is a tough and rough city to survive. The class distinct woes are not preachy however it express through the actions of the workers. Control is a big issue in the book. The most disturbing to me is how the characters Boucher and Margaret struggle with the way people perceive them and the way they must conform to society expectations. For these reasons, I recommend North and South.
The negative part of the book is the difficulty reading through the dialogue of the book when the workers converse. This slow me down since I'm not familiar with it.

Having My Say

Margaret puts up with a whole lot of mess and it has gotten to a point of ridiculous nonsense. The fact she follows her father to a place that unsuited from their former kind of living. Her mother or her couldn't question his reasons and somehow find a better place than Milton. Her mother Mrs. Hale slips in pity insult such as people love your brother and everybody love to get along with him unlike you. She never speaks much good about her daughter. The final draw for me has been that it is seen improper for Margaret to visit her dying godfather Mr. Bell. What is the guy going to do in his dying state? So she waits until Captain Lennox pack a bag and go with her. Mr. Bell is dead when she arrives. Gaskell's reveals the absurdity in her Aunt's beliefs. This book is filled with annoying characters I couldn't stop reading it. One of the best is the maid who believes she is the best of Mrs. Hale's children. Final thought, the mother, father, and maid should have kicked the bucket and be bury all together. Maybe then Margaret could have some peace.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

GG
5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice!
Reviewed in Brazil on March 23, 2024
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I liked very much.
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Kes
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story; autor has great insight and writing skill.
Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
If I may steal a quote from another review to set the background: "North and South is a love story that takes place on the background of two conflicts - the class conflict between the North and the South, and the conflict between the mill owners and the trade unions."

I liked the characters, and I really liked how well Gaskell showed all the various shades of human nature and personality. The different circumstances and experiences that shape people, can create such stark differences between groups, and even between individuals. But Gaskell always comes back to the fact that, however different we may be, we are all just people, and our shared humanity should outweigh any differences. There's a lot of conflict caused by lack of understanding between different classes, but all these highly varied groups *could* get past their differences and get along, if they would only get together and listen to each other and take the time to understand each other. The same can be said of individuals; communication could heal most rifts, but sometimes social convention doesn't allow dialogue, or people simply don't feel free to say how they feel, so they bear their pain in silence... but there's a good ending. I really liked how the author ended the story.

I can't do justice to this book; I can list the things I liked, but I can't describe how WELL the author conveys both her story and all these underlying ideas. She has great insight, as well as great skill at writing, and has impressed me with both.
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KL
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally recommend!! Love it! 💕😍✨
Reviewed in India on November 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
The book arrived on time and I suppose in a new condition. This edition of Penguin , the quality of the paper seems very sleazy, but it's a floppy book that's an advantage.
About the story , it's a very beautifully written story which has love at the forefront be it sisterly relation or that of a daughter of her parents or that of a partner. Also it gives glimpses of the society during the Industrial Revolution in England and contrast between the North and South (as the title) with respect society and people.
The protagonist Margret is very strong , decisive young women who is from South and due the conscious crisis of her father, her whole life is turned upside down as she will have to move from a country place to an industrial city with smoke and dust and chimneys. Also it's the place where she comes in close contact with the working class and tries to understand their sufferings. In the course of time she has to bear a lot which evolves her into a much more stronger women.
Mr Thornton , who is a mill owner ,is self built man and who has spent most of days building his business from scratch and who's modest in a way and cares deeply for his mother and sister.
The story often is compared to Pride and prejudice , and it's rightly done due to the many similarities - of the pride and prejudice coming in the way of understanding a person and end up with prejudices due to Pride.
Nevertheless the story stands on its own and it's a beautiful love story to read which is built up slowly and it takes different paths to the one you will not expect.
The only critique would be that the story ends abruptly and it's not exactly incomplete , but once it ends , you'll want more - that sorts.
If you love Pride and Prejudice , give this a go, it will not disappoint.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.
A little excerpt
"Oh, Mr.(X- Spoilers), I am not good enough!'

'Not good enough! Don't mock my own deep feeling of unworthiness"
Customer image
KL
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally recommend!! Love it! 💕😍✨
Reviewed in India on November 11, 2019
The book arrived on time and I suppose in a new condition. This edition of Penguin , the quality of the paper seems very sleazy, but it's a floppy book that's an advantage.
About the story , it's a very beautifully written story which has love at the forefront be it sisterly relation or that of a daughter of her parents or that of a partner. Also it gives glimpses of the society during the Industrial Revolution in England and contrast between the North and South (as the title) with respect society and people.
The protagonist Margret is very strong , decisive young women who is from South and due the conscious crisis of her father, her whole life is turned upside down as she will have to move from a country place to an industrial city with smoke and dust and chimneys. Also it's the place where she comes in close contact with the working class and tries to understand their sufferings. In the course of time she has to bear a lot which evolves her into a much more stronger women.
Mr Thornton , who is a mill owner ,is self built man and who has spent most of days building his business from scratch and who's modest in a way and cares deeply for his mother and sister.
The story often is compared to Pride and prejudice , and it's rightly done due to the many similarities - of the pride and prejudice coming in the way of understanding a person and end up with prejudices due to Pride.
Nevertheless the story stands on its own and it's a beautiful love story to read which is built up slowly and it takes different paths to the one you will not expect.
The only critique would be that the story ends abruptly and it's not exactly incomplete , but once it ends , you'll want more - that sorts.
If you love Pride and Prejudice , give this a go, it will not disappoint.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.
A little excerpt
"Oh, Mr.(X- Spoilers), I am not good enough!'

'Not good enough! Don't mock my own deep feeling of unworthiness"
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
7 people found this helpful
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NODA MARCELO
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect. Thanks !
Reviewed in Japan on September 20, 2023
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Perfect. Thanks !
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susana pliego
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best!
Reviewed in Mexico on December 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is my favorite novel of all the books I've read trough my life. It's a witty novel, delightfully written. The construction of the characters, each one in their own side of the story is very strong. Margaret is an admirable young woman very worthy or probable to have caught the attention of the sombre and lustrous mister Thornton, a man that although prided himself in self-denial, had to have Margaret once he intuited she would respond affirmatively. The conditions depicted of the various classes of society in Victorian England depicted here are invaluable. Well, what's not to love about this?
3 people found this helpful
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