Showing results by author "Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell" in All Categories

The novel begins in the 1790s in the coastal town of Monkshaven. Sylvia Robson lives with her parents on a farm, and is loved by her rather dull Quaker cousin Philip. She, however, meets and falls in love with Charlie Kinraid, a sailor on a whaling vessel, and they become engaged, although few people know of the engagement. But Charlie gets press-ganged and has to leave without a word... (Summary from Wikipedia)

Cranford is set in a small market town populated largely by a number of respectable ladies. It tells of their secrets and foibles, their gossip and their romances as they face the challenges of dealing with new inhabitants to their society and innovations to their settled existence. It was first published between 1851 and 1853 as episodes in Charles Dickens’ Journal Household Words. Appended to this recording is a short sequel, The Cage at Cranford, written ten years later and published in the journal All the Year Round. In a letter to Mrs. Gaskell, Charlotte Bronte wrote: “Thank you for ...

It is asserted that the inspiration for Elizabeth Gaskell's marvellous stories of Cranford was her childhood home of Knutsford, a small town in Cheshire and to where she returned for a while as a young woman. This assertion is born out by an essay she wrote in 1849 entitled The Last Generation in England, in which she writes about "The town in which I once resided ...". There can be little doubt when reading this that it provided her with the template for Cranford.In 1851 the year she began to write Cranford, she also wrote a novella entitled Mr. Harrison's Confessions. It describes the life ...

"Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life" was Mrs Gaskell's first full-length novel. It was published anonymously in that tumultuous year of political change, 1848 - only a few months after the Communist Manifesto co-authored by her fellow Manchester-resident, Friedrich Engels. Engels's experience as agent in his father's cotton-spinning factory motivated him to write "The Condition of the Working Class in England", a classic account of the sufferings of the poor under the factory-system. Elizabeth Gaskell's own personal contact with the plight of the poor cotton workers of Lancashire also ...

Molly and her father have lived alone since the death of her mother. Now Mr Gibson decides it will be in Molly's best interests for him to marry again. The new "Mama" brings to the household many changes, including a glamorous new step-sister. Mrs Gibson starts scheming to have Cynthia marry one of the sons of the local squire, but she does not understand Cynthia's reluctance or why Molly is meeting Mr Preston in the forest. Secrets, love affairs and society gossip abound in this social commentary novel written by Mrs Gaskell (author of North and South and Mary Barton). Love across the class ...

This classic novel has been thrice adapted for the screen by the BBC. Mary Smith relates the story of her time with middle-aged spinster sisters Miss Matty and Miss Deborah. Witty, poignant, and often ironic, Cranford is the tale of what these two women will do to remain respectable, proper, and kind with only moderate means.

The intentional killing of a woman's dog unleashes a torrent of rage. In her desire for revenge, the woman curses the dog's killer: All that the murderer loves most, he will lose. This haunting tale brilliantly demonstrates Elizabeth Gaskell's understanding of the tensions between Catholics and Protestants and the harsh realities of class society.

Dive into a world of love, murder, and insightful social commentary as you explore Mrs. Gaskells masterful storytelling. Originally serialized by Charles Dickens, this novel reflects the authors unique ability to eschew melodrama in favor of rich psychological realism. Experience a poignant narrative that navigates the complexities of human connections across class divides, all brought to life by the talented Beth Thomas.

Join Elizabeth Gaskell as she weaves captivating tales across the pages of Charles Dickens Household Words, where she published 18 short works between 1850 and 1858. This collection is a delightful continuation of the Librivox series, featuring recordings of 7 pieces from 1854 to 1858. Within these stories, youll encounter two of Gaskells most significant shorter works Half a Lifetime Ago, which transports you to the picturesque English Lake District, and The Poor Clare, where a bewitched heroine is relentlessly pursued by her mischievous double. Additionally, The Sin of a Father and The ...

Mary Barton, the debut novel by English author Elizabeth Gaskell, was published in 1848 and paints a vivid portrait of life in 1830s and 1840s Manchester. This powerful narrative delves into the harsh realities faced by the Victorian working class, centering around two families—the Bartons and the Wilsons. As John Barton grapples with the loss of his wife and son, he becomes a passionate advocate for social justice, questioning the inequities of wealth and the struggles between the rich and the poor. The disappearance of his sister-in-law Esther adds to the familys turmoil, pushing John ...

Dive into the compelling world of Elizabeth Gaskell, a prominent voice in Victorian literature and a key contributor to Charles Dickenss weekly magazine, Household Words, from 1850 to 1853. This collection features all of the short stories and non-fiction pieces that Gaskell published during this period, showcasing her remarkable talent. Included are her beloved serialized novels, Cranford, North and South, and My Lady Ludlow, alongside 18 shorter works that solidified her status as Dickenss most significant literary collaborator. Explore Gaskells poignant reflections on the working classes of...

Dive into the enchanting world of Elizabeth Gaskells early short stories, a captivating collection that showcases her literary prowess. Following the success of her novel Mary Barton in 1848, Gaskell contributed numerous short works to Charles Dickenss Household Words magazine between 1850 and 1858. Her earlier tales found homes in various notable publications, including Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine (featuring Sketches among the Poor), William Howitts Visits to Remarkable Places (Clopton Hall), and many more. This anthology includes gems like Libbie Marsh, The Sextons Hero, and Bessy’s ...

Delve into the poignant world of Ruth, a social novel that explores the Victorian attitudes towards sin and illegitimacy. This surprisingly compassionate tale focuses on Ruth Hilton, a young seamstress and orphan who faces the harsh realities of society after being seduced and abandoned by the gentleman Henry Bellingham. Alone and pregnant, Ruth finds refuge with a kind minister and his sister, who help her navigate the stigma of her situation by masquerading her as a widow. As she strives to build a respectable life as a governess, her past threatens to unravel everything when Bellingham ...

Set in the picturesque coastal town of Monkshaven during the 1790s, Sylvias Lovers tells the poignant story of Sylvia Robson, a young woman caught between two worlds. While she lives a simple life on her familys farm and has the affections of her earnest but uninspiring Quaker cousin Philip, her heart truly belongs to Charlie Kinraid, a dashing sailor from a whaling ship. Their secret engagement promises a bright future, but fate intervenes when Charlie is forcibly taken to sea, leaving Sylvia heartbroken and longing for a love she can’t fully claim.

Step into the enchanting world of Round the Sofa, a collection of captivating tales by the remarkable Mrs. Elizabeth Gaskell, whom Charles Dickens affectionately dubbed his “dear Scheherazade” for her extraordinary storytelling prowess. This 1859 work begins with a delightful short story that serves as a frame for six previously published narratives, all woven together through the interactions of a group of characters sharing their stories during a cozy soirée. Discover the compelling plight of Lady Ludlow, a widowed aristocrat fiercely resisting change, as seen through the eyes of one of...

"Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life" was Mrs Gaskell's first full-length novel. It was published anonymously in that tumultuous year of political change, 1848 - only a few months after the Communist Manifesto co-authored by her fellow Manchester-resident, Friedrich Engels. Engels's experience as agent in his father's cotton-spinning factory motivated him to write "The Condition of the Working Class in England", a classic account of the sufferings of the poor under the factory-system. Elizabeth Gaskell's own personal contact with the plight of the poor cotton workers of Lancashire also ...

Cousin Phillis, written by Elizabeth Gaskell in 1864, tells the poignant story of Paul Manning, a seventeen-year-old boy who relocates to the countryside and forms a deep bond with his mothers family, particularly his second cousin, Phillis Holman. As Phillis navigates the complexities of adolescence, the narrative unfolds with an enchanting simplicity that showcases Gaskells masterful storytelling. Critics often herald this work as Gaskells finest short novel, celebrated for its delicate character development and captivating prose. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Elizabeth Gaskells final novel, serialized in Cornhill Magazine from 1864 to 1866 and completed posthumously by her editor, offers a vivid portrayal of English life in the 1830s. The story follows Molly Gibson, the daughter of a widowed doctor, as she navigates her formative years in the provincial town of Hollingford. When Mr. Gibson remarries, Molly finds herself grappling with a pretentious stepmother while cherishing her deep bond with her new stepsister, Cynthia. Their relationships with the townspeople, especially the Squire of Hamley Hall and his family, lead to a rich tapestry of ...

North and South is a captivating social novel that explores the stark contrasts of the industrial North and its societal conflicts in mid-19th century England, all through the eyes of a sensitive outsider from the South. The story follows Margaret Hale, the daughter of a Nonconformist minister, who relocates to the fictional industrial town of Milton after leaving the Church of England. Inspired by Manchester, where author Elizabeth Gaskell lived as the wife of a Unitarian minister, the narrative reveals Margarets profound shock at her new surroundings. As she empathizes with the struggles of ...

In North and South, we delve into the life of Margaret Hale, who is uprooted from her serene rural home in the South and thrust into the gritty, industrial town of Milton in Northern England. As she navigates the harsh realities of the industrial revolution, Margaret witnesses the fierce struggles between employers and workers, culminating in the first organized strikes. With a compassionate heart, she befriends the courageous working class, but her ideals clash with those of John Thornton, a wealthy cotton mill owner whose disdain for his workers ignites her fury. This compelling tale ...