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Elizabeth Gaskell, a vicar's wife who was a prolific writer of period-based novels until her early death at age 55 (in 1865), rivals Jane Austen in her ability to create sympathetic characters molded by social strictures and a changing England. In the case of "North and South", published in 1854, the family of Mr. Hale, a disillusioned country parson, moves from gentile, rural southern England to the harsh, seemingly cold, industrial northern English city of Milton. Margaret Hale, his young, idealistic but woefully naive daughter finds herself in new surroundings, dealing with mill owners who have a decidedly different view of life than she. One of them, John Thornton, becomes a student of her father's, which puts her into contact, and frequently disagreement, with him. Although Mr. Thornton does eventually profess his love of her, she is unsure whether their two worlds can ever be one. This novel is well-written, and highlights a number of the conflicts between old manners and new in mid-1800s English society. Because the language is over 150 years old, it can be a slower read for some than a comtemporary novel, but it's definitely worth the effort. To get through it faster, rent "North and South", done by the BBC in 2004 and starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe. Although there are differences, it might help with the context and make the reading of it more enjoyable.Read full review
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