North and South (Wordsworth Classics)

With an Introduction and Notes by Dr Patsy Stoneman, University of Hull

Set in the mid-19th century, and written from the author's first-hand experience, North and South follows the story of the heroine's movement from the tranquil but moribund ways of southern England to the vital but turbulent north. Elizabeth Gaskell's skilful narrative uses an unusual love story to show how personal and public lives were woven together in a newly industrial society.

Key Themes:

• A tale of hard-won triumphs: The novel explores the victory of rational thought over prejudice and humane care over blind deference to the market.
• Timeless relevance: Readers in the twenty-first century will find themselves absorbed as this Victorian novel traces the origins of problems and possibilities which remain relevant even a hundred and fifty years later.
• Complex relationships: It delves into the intricate public and private dynamics between men and women of different classes.

This is a compelling story that intertwines personal growth, societal change, and the challenges of a newly industrialized world.