I made a mistake with my reading material. On reflection I would like to take the full works of Elizabeth Gaskell instead of the full works of Jane Austen.
The reasoning behind the change is based on a conversation with a friend I had a few days ago discussing the 200th anniversary of Elizabeth Gaskell this year.
For those in the UK there events around the Northwest and an exhibition at John Rylands Library in Manchester from July.
Elizabeth Gaskell is a much forgotten Victorian novelist and biographer. Even though she was born in Chelsea, after the death of her mother she was sent to an uncle in Knutsford, Cheshire. This is where Cranford is based and the people who lived in around Knutsford feature heavily in her tales. This is the lightest of her writings and do not reflect the best of her work.
When she married and moved to Manchester she was more involved with the social aspects of the Industrial Revolution and this is reflected in her best works. Mary Barton and North & South. During these years she entertained the Brontes, Dickens and other high profile Victorians. Later she would write a biography of Charlotte Bronte.
My favourite novel is North & South. It is a mix of industrial, society and relations. We see both sides of industrial disputes. We see the contrast between the industrial north and the agricultural south. We also see the difference between trade and genteel society. The relations are depicted by thought and limited to the social conventions of the time. We see how the nouvelle riche are more worried about social mores than the lower classes and the established families. Over all John Thornton, mill owner, and Margaret Hale, vicars daughter, find common ground eventually. It does take time, but we see into a world that is long gone. It is a more diluted vision of industrial England but does have a lot to thank
Friedrich Engels and
Karl Marx and their writings about Manchester.
The BBC did a wonderful adaptation of the book in 2004. Richard Armitage was John Thornton and shows the understated and thoughtful side of the character well. Plus he looks devastating in a cravat and Victorian suit. Margaret Hale is played by Daniela Denby-Ashe who is understated and shows the confusion of supporting the workers as she did in the south and understanding the mill owners. The cinematography is also outstanding by Peter Greenhalgh (who in a previous life worked with my pops). If you have not seen it please search out a copy of the DVD and find 4 hours to sit back and enjoy. If you would prefer the book then I also recommend a few days of cups of tea and sitting in a quiet place and travel back in time.
