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This. Is. Such. A. Great. Book.

FYI THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR. I knew this. But so many ppl asked me if it was when they saw the title (insert side eye and eye roll emojis here). It’s about the north and south of England.

Did you like Pride and Prejudice? Did you like ANY OF THE BRONTË BOOKS?! Do you wish classics were a bit easier to understand?! THEN THIS BOOK IS MADE FOR YOU!

Margaret Hale grew up in an idyllic small village in the south of England, where there is a clear division of upper class and field workers. Her father is a person who has a trial of faith and leaves the church, this moving his “shamed� family to Milton, an industrial town in the north of England. Here, he tutors newly made gentlemen in the classics, while his wife and daughter adjust to the cultural clash that is the working society of the north. On of Mr. Hale’s students is mill owner, John Thornton (swoon), who cannot stand the stick up nature of Miss Hale, until she saves his life AND THEN REALIZES HE IS MADLY IN LOVE PROPOSES IS REJECTED AND THEN DISTANCES HIMSELF ALL WHILE SHE REALIZES SHE CARES FOR HIM GAHHHHHH!!! Dude. It’s Pride and Prejudice.

We have the ailing and complaining mom: Mrs. Hale vs Mrs. Bennett

We have the loving yet obtuse father: Mr. Hale vs Mr. Bennett

We have the flippant and materialistic “sister�: Edith vs Kitty and Lydia

We have the unwanted suitor: Mr. Lennox vs Mr. Collins

We have the self righteous and unapproving matron of the family: Mrs. Thornton vs Lady Catherine

We even have DARCY AND ELIZABETH (Mr. Thornton and Margaret)

Does that stop me from loving this? NOT. ONE. BIT.

Unlike Austen, Gaskell lets us into the minds of her male characters AND IT IS UTTERLY DELICIOUS. And, don’t kill me, but it puts Mr. Thornton FAR ABOVE Mr. Darcy. I also love that Gaskell includes social commentary and dark parts of the working life in the north (and south) as well as including secondary characters who are from that background. I also enjoyed how she didn’t shy away from the realities of Victorian life in the industrialization periods (DEATH. LOTS AND LOTS OF DEATH.)

Basically I love Austen. I love all Brontë sisters. I LOVE LOVE GASKELL. And I can not recommend this book enough. Also, the miniseries is PERFECTION.