North and South

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North and South
Elizabeth Gaskell
1855

The Summary
North and South follows the life of Margaret Hale, a young woman who has recently rejoined her parents at the family home in Hampshire.  Her return, however, is overshadowed by her father's resignation from the Church.

After a crisis of conscience, Mr. Hale decides to uproot his family from Helstone, a village in the countryside of southern England, in favor of Milton, an industrial town far to the north.  And, for Margaret, life will never be the same.

The Good
Elizabeth Gaskell has a keen eye for detail and an undeniable skill for relating the emotions, thoughts, and temperaments of her characters.  Through her words, they become rich and vibrant individuals with valid concerns and heart-wrenching emotional conflicts.

They seem to take on a life of their very own, which makes them the more near and dear to your heart - and will make you hate to see anything tragic happen to them.

More importantly, Gaskell combines various social elements and ideas to form a well-rounded novel, not one simply propelled by romance alone.  While the growing relationship between Margaret Hale and John Thornton certainly provides fuel for the novel, it does not consume the story or overburden you with unrealistic encounters.

The Bad
For Margaret, this novel not only chronicles her life but records her growth as an individual.  Unfortunately, that growth is forced upon her by extreme circumstances and tragedy.

Not to spoil any surprises, but you might just find your heart breaking once or twice.

The Ugly
Too many romance novels inherit the same pattern, one which has existed since time (or, at least, publishing) began:  two individuals meet, fall in love, suddenly argue or become separated by uncontrollable events (or vehemently deny any affection), and realize later how deeply they love one another.

It's predictable.

And, although North and South branches into many different realms of philosophical thought and social perception, the relationship between Margaret and John Thornton embraces this predictability - which only serves to delay the end of the novel, rather than build suspense.