Elizabeth Gaskell | Favorite Authors

I’m excited to introduce to you another of my Favorite Authors: Elizabeth Gaskell. This prolific Victorian novelist also wrote short stories and authored the first biography of her close friend Charlotte Bronte.

Who Was Elizabeth Gaskell?

Elizabeth Cleghorn Stevenson was born in 1810 in Chelsea, England to a Congregational Minister who later became a Dissenter. Her mother died when she was thirteen months old, and she was reared by her maternal aunt in a bucolic village setting.

At age twenty-two, she married a Congregational Minister and moved to the highly industrialized city of Manchester. She became mother to six children, and was busy with family and church duties. Upon the death of her only son, she turned to writing to give voice to her growing burden for social justice.

Post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Why Read Elizabeth Gaskell?

Of course, for the riveting stories! Aside from that, her characters are likable, flawed, complex and well-developed, showing growth throughout. The plots tackle important and weighty subjects: the impact of rapid industrialization on environment and humans, moral duties of bosses to employees, challenges of the working poor, plight of the poverty-stricken, working conditions, lack of medical care. She addresses weighty subjects such as depression, alcoholism, prostitution, and abuses of power.

Her works have a taste of the humor, irony, and romance of Jane Austen combined with the social activism of Louisa May Alcott…albeit in a more adult and head-on fashion. Add in a soupçon of the dark reality of Dickens, and you have an idea of Gaskell’s artistry.

Selected Works of Elizabeth Gaskell & Film Adaptations

*Most of these books have an edition available free on Kindle. However, I’ve found the free digital versions often contain typos and wonky formatting.

North and South

I love this story! The heroine, Margaret Hull, shares many characteristics with the author. She too is the daughter of a Congregational Minister who turns Dissenter. Margaret also struggles with the adjustment from village living to the busy Manchester.

 Even if you don’t want to read the book, you must watch the excellent movie. I have literally watched it dozens of times.

Wives and Daughters

 Molly is the much-loved only daughter of a widowed country doctor, and we fall in love with her as she navigates the trials of growing up and navigating bewildering changes of situation. This story is much lighter and less political than North and South, more Jane Austen and less Charles Dickens. It’s a delightful story, and the film adaptation is beautifully well-done and charming.

 I’ve watched this film innumerable times and am still left wanting more!

Cranford

 Cranford was originally published as a magazine serial. It is not as cohesive as the above books, but is charming and funny. This is the story of the women of Cranford: their comings and goings, social gaffes and triumphs, tragedies and successes.

 Look! Another period movie for your next Ladies Night.

And another movie! Judi Dench stars in both films, and in my opinion you can’t go wrong with Judi Dench.

The Best Movie Deal 

 If I had it to do over, I would purchase this set, which contains North and South, Wives and Daughters, and Cranford. I may still do it, since I don’t own Cranford.

Mary Barton

 Similar in theme to North and South, I find this book a bit of a challenge to love. However, it’s been quite some time since I read it, and I’m going to give it another try.

Ruth

Ruth was quite scandalous in its day and spurred much discussion about redemption. It’s a story of illegitimacy, showcasing a young woman who was seduced and abandoned. I will also be re-reading this book, since it’s been over a decade since I borrowed it from the library.

I do hope you’ve enjoyed meeting another of my author friends! If you’re interested in more of my Favorite Authors, click links to read about Jane Austen, George MacDonald, and Amy Carmichael.  If you’re interested in more book recommendations and reviews, click here.

I’d love to hear about some of your favorite authors and books! Please share below in the comments or on any of my social media posts.