In 'Cranford', Elizabeth Gaskell paints a vivid portrait of a small English town in the early 19th century, revealing the quirky charm and complexities of its residents. Through the eyes of the observant Mary Smith, readers are drawn into the lives, loves, and rivalries of Cranford's predominantly female populace. The novel delves into themes of friendship, social class, and the evolving role of women in society. With its rich characterizations and gentle humor, Gaskell invites us to ponder what truly defines a community. Will the traditions of Cranford withstand the pressures of change, or will progress reshape its quaint existence forever?
By Elizabeth Gaskell
Published: 2018
"And while at first there was a great surprise, the kindness of their hearts soon assuaged any hard feeling, and our new-comers became in time as one of us."
Designed to appeal to the book lover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautifully bound pocket-sized gift editions of much loved classic titles. Bound in real cloth, printed on high quality paper, and featuring ribbon markers and gilt edges, Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. The women of the small country town of Cranford live in genteel poverty, resolutely refusing to embrace change, while the dark clouds of urbanization and the advance of the railway hover threateningly on the horizon. In their simple, well-ordered lives they face emotional dilemmas and upheavals, small in the scale of the ever-shifting world, but affectionately portrayed by Gaskell with all the weight and consequence of a grand drama. A rich, comic and illuminating portrait of life in a small town, Cranford has moved and entertained readers for generations. With illustrations by the celebrated Hugh Thomson, and an after word by Dr Josie Billington.
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“And while at first there was a great surprise, the kindness of their hearts soon assuaged any hard feeling, and our new-comers became in time as one of us.”
Cranford
By Elizabeth Gaskell
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Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) was a prominent English novelist and biographer known for her keen social commentary and richly drawn characters. Her notable works include "Mary Barton," "North and South," "Cranford," and "Wives and Daughters." Gaskell's writing style often blends realism with elements of romanticism, exploring themes of class struggle, gender roles, and the complexities of domestic life. Additionally, she was a significant figure in the Victorian literary scene, often addressing social issues of her time.
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