North and South

Penguin Classics

By: Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by: Gemma Whelan

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Gemma Whelan, best known for her roles in Game of Thrones, Gentleman Jack and Upstart Crow. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Patricia Ingham.

When her father leaves the Church, Margaret Hale is uprooted from her comfortable home in Hampshire to move with her family to the North of England. Initially repulsed by the ugliness of her new surroundings in the industrial town of Milton, Margaret becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of local mill workers and develops a passionate sense of social justice.

In North and South Gaskell skillfully fused individual feeling with social concern and in Margaret Hale created one of the mostoriginal heroines of Victorian literature.

The misunderstandings of culture

A great look into the misunderstandings of three cultures come together with a harsh clacks. All disinterested in learning the other, until their lives depend on it. And the wonderful move towards mutual assimilation, acceptance, friendship, and love.

Excellent story and narration

Captivating portrait of the compassionate Margaret Hale set against the backdrop of northern versus southern societies. I learned so much about the thinking and tensions of the early industrial revolution in England and appreciated how deeply the story immerses readers into that era.

Narration was clear, easy to follow, and ever so pleasant to listen to.

Loved it

The story was super good and the performance was amazing! Maybe a bit long but oh well. And the ending! I loved the ending!

I loved it as much as Pride & Prejudice! (Which is my favorite book.)

Wonderful story, lovely writing, excellent performance. It’s like a Jane Austen novel, but with the female lead being even more modern and independent. (Elizabeth B. was ahead of her time, I’m sure.) It was so exciting to read for the first time, that I cannot quite regret not having read it before.

wonderful!! a great story that's not just romantic

I found this book because I first saw the BBC miniseries based upon it. While rewatching it a while back I realized the book existed. And I'm so glad I bought it. It's a fantastic story even better than the show which was already awesome. But the reason I loved this book so much is that it gives you so much more. Margret is a great character. she's lovable and very human, she's a good person but of course she makes mistakes but admits them. And seeing her grow is a pleasure and very satisfactory to watch. Mr Thornton too, grows and is so sweet to watch especially in regards to his love for Margret. And if you've seen the show and admired the way it addresses class struggles and unions you'll like the way it handles it in the book. It's not quite as dramatic but that seems to be because it was written from the perspective of back then so its not as harsh a judgement. it doesn't try to force a happy ending, it's more open ended on if things will wide spread change for the better or not but I liked that because it seems more realistic. But the philosophical conversations upon ithose subjects are interesting to think about and enjoyable to hear. Even though I did have to go back and re-listen to those philosophical passages sometimes to make sure I understood(I recommend listening to the prologue) But that's more because of the old language than because of the Narrator. Gemma is a fantastic narrator. although there were a few times I didn't immediately realized someone else was talking but overall she's great with the voices and puts feeling into it. So overall it was a fantastic listen and I'll definitely be listening to it many more times.