A Victorian novel that strikes a winning balance of engaging with social issues while providing an engaging story with memorable characters. Margaret Hale could be a bit preachy, but I can't deny female protagonists with strong moral convictions. Definitely worth checking out and I was pleasantly surprised to find a bit more heart and social consciousness than I had come to expect from novels from this era. ( )

The inevitable happens on the last page. ( )

Not terrible for Restoration era novels (which I've found are definitely not my thing). The main character breaches class boundaries and maintains her independence in gender roles as well. All in all it's not a very gritty book and seems like everything works out a little too perfectly despite some of the dramatic twists (deaths, etc.) that happen along the way. ( )

When Southerner Margaret Hale is forced to relocate to the northern town of Milton, she finds herself hating the industrial society, offended by the townspeople and disgusted by the dirt and noise she finds there. Mill owner John Thornton represents all she has come to despise about her new home. But gradually, Margaret's attitudes soften, and she makes friends with people in the town, learning about the plight of the millworkers - their poverty and workplace struggles. As events throw Margaret and John together, she realises even two complete opposites can fall in love. ( )

The writing and characters are the heart of this story. ( )