I've been reading a few of Elizabeth Gaskell's books recently, and I wondered if anyone else had read any of her works.
I read Cranford last month, after I had seen the BBC TV series and I loved them both (although the TV show had taken liberties with the book and actually used other short stories by her and "Cranfordized" them, it was amazingly welll done and you'd never have guessed they didn't belong).
I finished Wives and Daughters last night, and it was a brilliant book. There was just something about it that gripped me and I rate Mrs. Gaskell just as highly as my other favourite female author Jane Austen, if not higher. The ending was not as disappointing as I was expecting, although she died before she could complete it, at least we did get the general idea of what would happen, although the events were not told to us by her or written with her wit and skill.
I've just borrowed from the library, Mary Barton, which being set in her hometown of Manchester, during the "troubles" of the 1800's, I expect it will be very different from the gentle dramas of Cranford and Wives and Daughters. I also borrowed Gothic Tales, which again will be completely different.
I was in Knutsford last week, and I bought North and South as well. Knutsford was Mrs. Gaskell's home for a few years upon which Cranford was based and many of the events in the book she herself experienced. Cumnor Towers in Wives and Daughters is said to be based on Tatton Park, a mansion in Knutsford and the village of Hollingford was again based on Knutsford. I have been to Knutsford a few times and Tatton Park, but I was ignorant of Elizabeth Gaskell at the time, even though there are many areas in shops dedicated to her and her works and there is even a monument to her called Gaskell Towers, built in the late 19th century.
I found out afterwards that she is buried in Knutsford, so next time I go I hope to find the grave of such a talented woman.
both of them are very well done. And for Christmas I got the book Wives and Daughters and, even though I haven't read it yet, my mom did and she said it was really good. So I will be getting around to reading it soon (especially with summer coming around the bend). 
I need to know how accurate the series is to the book too. 
I think I might even like it better than Pride and Prejudice. It's a brilliant book. 
) is perfect! Like, in every way almost. 
the book is amazing! And so well written. I love all the characters in it... Ms. Gaskell was a brilliant writer.
that's what my mom said and I've known that for a while too. It's too bad she wasn't able to finish it. *sigh* but maybe it's better to have some ending over no ending at all! 
that would be disappointing. I'm sure I'll like the ending anyway... at least I liked the ending the series gave it (whether it's the same in the book or not I still have to find out).