elizabeth gaskell

Classic Book Review: North and South

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North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

North and South
by Elizabeth Gaskell

5 out of 5 stars

Margaret and her family move from their sunny country village to the bustling town of Milton. The cotton factories blacken the sky with smoke. The people seem unfriendly and rough. Margaret and her parents discover that the culture in this town is very different from the sleepy village life they are used to. Margaret’s father tutors students in the classics, but finds that most people in Milton are too busy working for their bread to worry about their education. His best student is Mr. John Thornton, a local manufacturer who owns a cotton mill. He is not what London society would call a gentleman, but he wants to improve his manners and education, so he begins tutoring with Margaret’s father. During their lessons, Mr. Thornton and Margaret quarrel over their different opinions, but underneath there is a strong respect for each other that could grow into something more.

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Book Review: Cousin Phillis and Other Stories

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Cousin Phillis and Other Tales by Elizabeth Gaskell

Cousin Phillis and Other Tales
by Elizabeth Gaskell
4 out of 5 stars
I have such mixed feelings about this book. It’s a collection of short stories, and every single one is depressing! These are the saddest, most awful stories I have ever read. The real problem is that the writing is so brilliant that it really makes you care about the characters! So when everything goes wrong, it is absolutely heartbreaking.
Also most of the stories finish with a lot of unresolved questions. They end abruptly with someone’s death, and we aren’t told if the surviving characters go on to get married or live happy lives or buy back the farm or anything. Loose ends dangling everywhere! Agh! Very frustrating.
I couldn’t finish reading them, because I was getting too depressed.

Update 2021: I finished reading the last two stories in this collection “Curious if True” and “Cousin Phillis”. These stories were a bit happier and more structured, and I enjoyed them!

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Classic Book Review: Moorland Cottage

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The Moorland Cottage by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Moorland Cottage
by Elizabeth Gaskell

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Maggie endures with patience the selfishness of her mother and brother, and finds friendship with the invalid wife of their rich neighbor, Mr. Buxton. The two families’ destinies become dangerously linked when Maggie’s brother goes astray, and Mr. Buxton demands a high price for saving him.

I loved Maggie’s strong character! She has a quiet and meek personality, but wonderfully fierce in her defense of the truth. I really loved her character development as she strives to make good decisions for her family.
Maggie’s mother is weak and foolish, and spoils the son, Edward, with too much attention. I was so annoyed with the stupid mother for not seeing how she ruined her child by encouraging his selfish behavior. I really hated Edward, Maggie’s brother. He is so rude to his sister, always expecting her to do everything for him and get him out of trouble.
It’s excellent writing that made me so annoyed with the bad characters, and so in love with the good characters! Continue reading →

10 Favorite Siblings

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A list of my top ten favorite fictional siblings! Who are your favorites?
And an honorable mention to Molly and Cynthia, who are stepsisters in “Wives and Daughters” by Elizabeth Gaskell ! They aren’t technically siblings, but they get credit for being so sweet to each other. They may not share DNA, but they share their hearts. Aawww….

Books Mentioned:
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Story of the Treasure Seekers by Edith Nesbit
Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit
Little Women by L. M. Alcott
Little Men by L.M. Alcott
Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery
Cheaper by the Dozen by Ernestine and Frank Gilbreth Jr.
Belles on their Toes by Ernestine and Frank Gilbreth Jr.
Lord of the Rings- by J. R. R. Tolkien
Knock Three Times by Marion St. John Webb
The Books of Pellinor by Alison Croggon