The Penguin English Library edition of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell 'How am I to dress up in my finery, and go off and away to smart parties, after the sorrow I have seen today?' Elizabeth Gaskell's compassionate, richly dramatic novel features one of the most original and fully-rounded female characters in Victorian fiction, Margaret Hale. It shows how, forced to move from the country to an industrial northern town, she develops a passionate sense of social justice, and a turbulent relationship with mill-owner John Thornton. North and South depicts a young woman discovering herself, in a nuanced portrayal of what divides people, and what brings them together. The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.
Elizabeth Gaskell
Elizabeth Gaskell was a prominent Victorian novelist known for her insightful portrayals of social issues and complex characters. Some of her notable works include "Cranford," "North and South," and "Wives and Daughters." Gaskell's writing style is characterized by its realism and attention to detail, as well as its exploration of class and gender dynamics. She made significant contributions to the development of the Victorian novel, particularly in her exploration of social realism and the lives of working-class individuals. Gaskell's most famous work is "North and South," which is considered a classic of Victorian literature and continues to be widely studied and admired for its social commentary and compelling characters.