Description

Book Synopsis

With an Introduction and Notes by Dinny Thorold, University of Westminster

Gaskell’s last novel, widely considered her masterpiece, follows the fortunes of two families in nineteenth century rural England. At its core are family relationships – father, daughter and step-mother, father and sons, father and step-daughter – all tested and strained by the romantic entanglements that ensue.

Despite its underlying seriousness, the prevailing tone is one of comedy. Gaskell vividly portrays the world of the late 1820s and the forces of change within it, and her vision is always humane and progressive.

The story is full of acute observation and sympathetic character-study: the feudal squire clinging to old values, his naturalist son welcoming the new world of science, the local doctor and his scheming second wife, the two girls brought together by their parent’s marriage…

Wives and Daughters

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    A Paperback / softback by Elizabeth Gaskell, Dinny Thorold, Dr Keith Carabine

    10 in stock

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      Publisher: Wordsworth Editions Ltd
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 05/11/1999
      ISBN13: 9781840224160, 978-1840224160
      ISBN10: 1840224169
      Also in:
      Fiction Classics

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      With an Introduction and Notes by Dinny Thorold, University of Westminster

      Gaskell’s last novel, widely considered her masterpiece, follows the fortunes of two families in nineteenth century rural England. At its core are family relationships – father, daughter and step-mother, father and sons, father and step-daughter – all tested and strained by the romantic entanglements that ensue.

      Despite its underlying seriousness, the prevailing tone is one of comedy. Gaskell vividly portrays the world of the late 1820s and the forces of change within it, and her vision is always humane and progressive.

      The story is full of acute observation and sympathetic character-study: the feudal squire clinging to old values, his naturalist son welcoming the new world of science, the local doctor and his scheming second wife, the two girls brought together by their parent’s marriage…

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