Product Description

`Cranford is in possession of the Amazons; all the holders of houses, above a certain rent, are women.'

In this witty and poignant comedy of early-Victorian life in a country town, Elizabeth Gaskell describes the uneventful lives of the lady-like inhabitants so as to offer an ironic commentary on the diverse experiences of men and women. She explores the unlikely juxtapositions of old and new brought about by the pace of change: the effects of Victorian commerce and imperial expansion co-exist with the survival of customs and habits of thought from much earlier times. This edition has detailed
notes and a new introduction which discusses the originality and subtlety of the book's angle on women's experience.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50133 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Synopsis
'Cranford is in possession of the Amazons; all the holders of houses, above a certain rent, are women.' In this witty and poignant comedy of early-Victorian life in a country town, Elizabeth Gaskell describes the uneventful lives of the lady-like inhabitants so as to offer an ironic commentary on the diverse experiences of men and women. She explores the unlikely juxtapositions of old and new brought about by the pace of change: the effects of Victorian commerce and imperial expansion co-exist with the survival of customs and habits of thought from much earlier times. This edition has detailed notes and a new introduction which discusses the originality and subtlety of the book's angle on women's experience.

Customer Reviews

Charming
Cranford wasn't originally a novel but a series of occasional articles appearing in 'Household Words'. Due to this the book as a whole does not really hold up to being a complete novel, however it does make a good read. The village of Cranford is run more or less by women, with only a few male characters making an appearance. Gaskell seems to be sticking two fingers up at those men who thought that women weren't really able to take control of their own lives. The women seem to get on alright at what they do.

Although there are deaths in the community this book is very up-beat and not depressing. Indeed amongst the pages there is quite a lot of comedy, with a cow in flannels, a cat given an emetic so it will excrete some lace it's ingested, and a magic show. On the whole I found this book a nice relaxing read about a world that no longer exists (if it ever did). People help each other and life moves at a steady and sedate pace.

If you enjoy Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy there is no reason why you shouldn't enjoy this book.

Synopsis
The provincial town of Cranford is a community of delightful simplicity and innocence. Yet its values were already old-fashioned and under threat from the inevitable forces of change when the mid-Victorian Mrs Gaskell described them with ironic affection and a sharp eye for the ridiculous. 'Cranford' explores the dying way of life of the 'Amazons' - unwarlike maiden ladies and widows of a certain age. They practise elegant economics; their days are passed in visits, cards and genteel gossip. But alongside the comedy is the pathos of restricted lives borne with courage.

Not one of the best books from this author - it was boring.
And not what you could expect from the author of Wives and Daughters.

The book is written like a diary and an outsiders visit to a rather dull town - making the book a collection of little episodes - but frankly the book is overly sentimental and tragic in a most unteresting way.

Go for one of Gaskels other books, or go for George Elliot who has both superior language and keen psykologically interesting observations to share.