North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

First published as a serial in 1854-1855. Penguin Classics edition published in 1995, with introduction and notes by Patricia Ingham. 451 pages.


It took me more than a month to read this December pick of the "book lunch girls." But I'm proud to say that I stuck with it to the end, despite my general struggle with Victorian literature. There's just something about the writing of that period that makes for slow reading for me! I did enjoy the character of Margaret Hale very much, and I liked the storyline too. I'm thinking that I just might love seeing this in its movie format!

My past record with Victorian novels isn't good. I started but never finished Jane Eyre (although I'd previously seen the musical, so I knew the storyline when I meet with my book club to discuss it). I started but never finished Emma (although I did watch the Gwyneth Paltrow film before my book club meeting). (I guess Jane Austen is technically pre-Victorian, but it's the same thing in my mind.) My first exposure to the Victorian period was as a high school freshman, when I struggled through Great Expectations in Mrs. Hainsworth's class. My long-term book club is reading A Tale of Two Cities for March's meeting, so I guess I'll be giving Victorian lit another try. I hope for another success!

For other responses to North and South, check out the following:

• Natalie's Book Club
• Things Mean A Lot
• Becky's Book Reviews
• The Book Whisperer
• One Librarian's Book Reviews
• Angieville

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