Wives and Daughters (Penguin Classics) by Elizabeth Gaskell (1997-01-01)

I've enjoyed reading all of Elizabeth Gaskell's books. She teaches some good lessons about how we should treat one another. The fact that we don't have the end of the story isn't such a bad thing. Life is kind of like that.

The book is excellent - but the Kindle version is not. It hasn't been properly edited. It hasn't even got the publisher details. And to call it illustrated is a farce. It is poorly decorated on the last few pages and that's it!.

Who would have thought we would be page turning the trials and tribulations of a young girl growing and being tamed as an acceptable example of a young women when the class system in Britain was expected by all to hold the proper show on all levels. Reading the small details of everyday life holds your attention regardless their dated historical impact. One of the classics you do not expect to enjoy and are shocked that the read is not only enjoyable but the writing is a plus - this book is a keeper.

Very relevant story even today, blood mother is always a step ahead than a step mother, may be the second wife be better than the first. Complex nature of relationship of a small family is brought in lucid manner.

Very relevant story even today, blood mother is always a step ahead than a step mother, may be the second wife be better than the first. Complex nature of relationship of a small family is brought in lucid manner.

The characters in this classic novel are very well drawn. Mrs. Gaskell breathes life into these characters, so much so that you feel you know them. There are flaws and inconsistancies in the text, but Mrs. Gaskell died before she could complete the book, and many errors were never corrected. I like the Oxford World's Classics version because of the informative preface and notes at the end.

Having read all of Jane Austin and the Bronte sister's novels, I discovered Elizabeth Gaskill through some of PBS movies presented. I loved this book and it is so sad she died before completing the it. Don't dispair as you will know what is going to happen but will be denied her words and her exact ending. The characters are deep and rich...even though at the beginning I struggled to keep them in order in my brain. After that, I couldn't but it down. Now, I'm going to select another of her works and can hardly wait.

WOW. My only disappointment was that I did not read this classic so much sooner. At first the beginning was not as easy as I like, perhaps due to the small print, but what a complete gem!!! As I read on. I was so pleased the print IS as small as it was so that the book could hold every word. Highly recommend, especially to those fans of the British reprints such as Cold Comfort Farm, Excellent women and even fans of Little Women or Anne of Avonlea books from their youth.

Gaskell's "Wives and Daughters" is a wonderful read, and the over-all experience is enhanced by the beautiful cover. It's a perfect set up for sitting down with some tea, and becoming lost in the world of Molly Gibson's joys and sorrows.

The characters are described so well that the reader is not truly surprised by their actions, they all seem to be real acquaintances. An entertaining if long look at a time that was gentler in some aspects yet harsher in others. I believe Miss Gaskell had a good understanding of human nature. I was sorry that the author was unable to finish it before she died. The publisher's endnotes were not the same as reading the author.

I must be a masochist for loving everything that Gaskell writes. She is the most bipolar author ever. One second everything is fine and dandy with the characters and in the next paragraph someone dies! I’m depressed. Or happy? Prepare to have your heart broken into a thousand pieces and then haphazardly brought together in the last few paragraphs.