Scan barcode
A review by rieviolet
Nord e sud by Elizabeth Gaskell, Giancarlo Carnevale, Sara Staccone
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can say that I enjoyed the reading experience, although it took me a couple of chapters to get really into the story. I often heard the book described as "Pride and Prejudice plus socialism" and, honestly, it's not such a far-off description.
I really liked the characters' depiction and their growth over the course of the story, I appreciated how the author portrayed even the ones that I didn't find particulary pleasant. There were a lot of tragedies and misfortunes that kept occuring (maybe too many, give us a break Elizabeth Gaskell please) and that really took me by surprise and moved me.
I'm not immune to a good romantic plot but I can say that I really appreciated that there was more to the novel. I really enjoyed the description and the reflections on the social reality of the time, the strike and the conditions of workers.
Still, there were some aspects that stopped me from giving full marks. There were maybe a bit too many mentions and reflections on religion that bored me a little and in part flew over my head, but that is more of a personal preference as someone who is not much of a religious person.
I can also say that the pacing felt a bit off. At times the story dragged on a bit and moved quite slowly, then,
instead, the ending felt rushed, the long-awaited resolution came very quickly and the novel ended rather abruptly.
I really liked the characters' depiction and their growth over the course of the story, I appreciated how the author portrayed even the ones that I didn't find particulary pleasant. There were a lot of tragedies and misfortunes that kept occuring (maybe too many, give us a break Elizabeth Gaskell please) and that really took me by surprise and moved me.
I'm not immune to a good romantic plot but I can say that I really appreciated that there was more to the novel. I really enjoyed the description and the reflections on the social reality of the time, the strike and the conditions of workers.
Still, there were some aspects that stopped me from giving full marks. There were maybe a bit too many mentions and reflections on religion that bored me a little and in part flew over my head, but that is more of a personal preference as someone who is not much of a religious person.
I can also say that the pacing felt a bit off. At times the story dragged on a bit and moved quite slowly, then,
instead, the ending felt rushed, the long-awaited resolution came very quickly and the novel ended rather abruptly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Police brutality