Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #94459 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-04
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

Synopsis
A new TV tie-in version to accompany the BBC TV series coming in Autumn 2004. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England's industrial north, Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage star in a four-part adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's passionate love story, North and South. The serial follows the fortunes of Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe), a privileged, middle-class southerner who is forced to settle in the northern town of Milton. Her distaste for the town and its people extends to handsome and charismatic cotton mill owner John Thornton, played by Richard Armitage, whom she believes epitomises everything she dislikes about the North. However, as events conspire to throw Margaret and Thornton together, the two spirited characters have to overcome their repressed physical attraction for one another and conquer the prejudices of class and circumstance.

Customer Reviews

north and south
This book has you hooked from the very beginning and is so beautifully written that it has you re reading certain lines. The story of two stubborn but much in love characters has you guessing to the end of will they? won't they. The book is so detailed it almost has you imaging the setting of industrial Milton and the north south divide which you feel is still in evidence today. A must read for anyone.

A story which still has resonance today
This has been a favourite book of mine since I first read it nearly 20 years ago. It has parallels with Pride and Predjudice and many of Dickens' novels. The main theme is a passionate love story involving two very strong people from different worlds. It is set against a backdrop of the Industrial Revolution. Margaret Hale has led a very quiet and sheltered life in the rural south of England when circumstances force her to move to a rather grim northern city. The story of how she gets to know some of the people, in particular John Thornton one of the mill owners, and begins to understand their way of life is a compelling one. Anyone who has been watching the BBC adaption of North and South should read this book. The story has been been changed slightly to appeal to modern audiences but the essence is still there. Elizabeth Gaskell has been overlooked for far too long, in my opinion. Hopefully this will bring her to the notice of another generation of readers.

A Fantastic Read
I've never written a review before but reading this novel has moved me enough to do so. After a lacklustre start, it picks up pace and really draws the reader in. I finished this just before the BBC1 adaptation, which although very good cannot convey the richness of the book in four episodes (although the dvd is a must buy)
Gaskell has vividly described the difference between the North and South that existed 150 years ago. You can imagine the beauty of the New Forest and feel the despair felt by the Hales when they move to smoky, dirty yet honest town of Milton (Manchester?)
the cotton mills and the poverty spring to life in your mind, but the one thing that makes this novel what it is is the physical attraction that Thornton feels for Margaret, as well as being attracted by her intelligence. He notices small things like bracelets tightening the flesh of her arm and stops her from having to testify in court.N&S has been unfavorably compared to Pride and Prejudice but P&P, whilst being very good, is not as gritty or as real as N&S. I think Miss HAle is far more likeable than Miss Bennett. It is certainly Gaskell's best novel and if you are a fan of romance or (a little dated) 19th century social commentary, don't let this book pass you by.