Product Description
This is a social novel the Victorian times in England. Ruth is a young orphan girl who gets pregnant and loses her last friends. Finally she finds a job and is reintegrated into society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Ruth
Upon discovering a new author, Elizabeth Gaskell, I bought and read "Ruth".I was very impressed with the way she unlocks the deep seatedmoral issues that everyday people deal with upon discovering the indiscretions of others.A good way to do an internal examination of our own values and how we deal with others.

Completely gripping
This book was so gripping that I finished it in two days; I couldn't put it down.I cried periodically throughout the book, and sobbed uncontrollably when I got to the end.Since I didn't read the chapter titles before I read the book, I didn't know how it would end.This is a beautiful yet heart wrenching story, but I really wish it had a happier ending.In a way, one could say it was a good ending, yet I would have wished for Ruth to have married and had some happiness in this life, not just a reward in the next world.I suppose that after reading "North and South", I had expected a story that also ended well.This book affected me much more than "North and South", which I also loved.Somehow, this book had the impact on me that "The Count of Monte Cristo" did - another riveting book that drew me in instantly and I couldn't put down for 2 days until I finished it.The plot was in some ways similar to "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", but at least that book had a happy ending.

Other reviewers have outlined the plot, so I won't go into that here.Perhaps only those who have suffered intensely can understand Ruth's pain, rejection, fears, and reactions.I was impressed that at no time did Ruth lay the blame for her sin on anyone but herself, although clearly she was young, innocent, alone in the world, and may have wondered - under the circumstances - if she even had a choice.Although the self-righteous characters in the book got their just desserts, I have to wonder if any of them would have acted more honorably than Ruth did had they been in her shoes - an orphan, young, utterly alone, naive, vulnerable.It is so easy to judge, but perhaps we have been spared similar tests because we would not have been able to bear them.

I look forward to reading Elizabeth Gaskell's other books, but I will check the table and contents first and may not plunge in right now if it looks like another tragedy.I think I need to recover from this one first.I loved this book, but just be prepared that this is not light reading.

Elizabeth Gaskell hasn't failed me yet.
Beautifully written novel. One of my favorites. Is it a slow read? Yes. But not obnoxiously slow. Just slow enough so that you can savor it. Wasn't too impressed with this edition though. Quite bulky and low quality.

Ruth
As usual Elizabeth Gaskell highlights for us issues of the day and the problems they produce. These are presented to us in a very good read..I will look for other books by this author

A beautiful story of sin and redemption.
When one thinks of Victorian sensation novels, one thinks of Wilkie Collins or Mary Elizabeth Braddon.The name Elizabeth Gaskell does not immediately come to mind. Elizabeth Gaskell was a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens. Ruth, the author's second book, is not Gaskell's best known novel, but it is a forgotten gem that is worthy of much praise.

Ruth is the story of a young and innocent orphan whofalls into the hands of a vain aristocratic young man named Mr Bellingham. Ruth Hilton was apprenticed to a seamstress by her guardian, but she loses her job when Mrs Mason, her employer, finds Ruth alone with Bellingham. The sweet and innocent orphan finds herself without a roof over her head. The cunning Bellingham coaxes Ruth into accompanying him to London where he promises he will take care of her. Ruth agrees. The sixteen year old orphan cannot begin to comprehend the ramifications of her decision.

Ruth and Bellingham spend time at an inn in Wales where there is much talk and gossip about the beautiful young lady who is accompanied by a man who is not her husband. Ruth, however, remains oblivious to the gossip behind her back. Her stay in Wales is simply the happiest time of her life, but that happiness is cut short.

Bellingham becomes ill and is whisked away by his mother leaving Ruth alone and heartbroken. Soon after Bellingham's departure Ruth is taken in by generous clergyman, Mr Benson. Ruth discovers that she is pregnant, and Mr Benson and his sister, Faith, take Ruth home with them and attempt give her a new identity to avoid the stigma attached to an unmarried mother. Ruth takes up residence at the Benson's home under the name of the widow Denbigh. Ruth lives with the Benson's for many years, but secrets always have a way of coming out.

This is a novel of sin and redemption. The subject matter may not seem controversial to modern readers, but the author was very apprehensive about how the novel would be received by nineteenth-century readers. The novel sparked all sorts of debate about redemption that may or may not interest readers today, but the novel is worth reading for its emotional intensity. Ruth has one of the most heartbreaking endings that I have ever read. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Literary; Fiction / Family Life; Literary Criticism / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh; Social Science / Social Classes; ... Read more

Customer Reviews (48)

Question to E. Gaskell fanatics
Which is a good version of Wives and Daughters that extrapolates a satisfying ending?
Audio would be great, but if one is not available then a regular book.
I just got done with the abridged Naxos version, and I'd really like to get a plausible ending.
Thanks for any help.

Gaskell-a keen observer of human foibles
If you like Jane Austen, you will probably like "Wives and Daughters". This may be Gaskell's wittiest book. She let's her character's tell the story through their own selfish, or honest, or naiive, or manipulative actions. The beautiful and brilliant Cynthia is really the star of this tale-her self-centered mother is the machinating demon, wrekeing havoc with domestic tyrany.
A handsome, successful widower with daughter marries a pretty, winning widow with daughter, and all hell breaks loose. One of the greatest little stories ever told!

Size of book hard to handle
I am half-way through Wives and Daughters and find it fascinating. The trouble with this complete and unabridged paperback reprint, however, is that it is too big to hold comfortably. The size is 9.8 x 8 x 1.1 inches. I have found it impossible to read the book in bed unless I'm sitting up.

Molly Gibson and Fanny Price
There are striking resemblances between Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and this novel. Mansfield Park is my least favorite book of Austen's for the reason that the lead character is, in my opinion, weak and all-too humble. You will find both Molly Gibson (heroine of this book) and Fanny Price (heroine of Mansfield Park) to be admiringly unwavering in their morals, however they are boring and uninteresting characters to read (so so sorry, I am a MAJOR Austen fan, and I appreciate both of these novels for other things).

Molly Gibson goes to live with some friends for a time (briefer than Fanny's stay in MP). There she meets the second-born son who becomes her mentor and comfort and a brother/sister relationship forms. This gentleman is above her "station" and has no real prospects at becoming wealthy enough to consider marrying her. Another more dazzling, beautiful, and outspoken/outgoing woman enters the picture and wins his heart. Ultimately, this woman is undeserving of him. In the mean time, Molly's sisterly-like affection changes and it is evident to the reader how much she adores him. The only thing that makes this novel more interesting and a little different is the way it ended. I won't spoil that.

In summary, it was okay. As okay as "been there, done that" feels. :o)

Charmed by this unfinished gem
This is the third novel by Elizabeth Gaskell that I have read. I thought Ruth was beautifully written and North and South became an instant favorite immediately! Wives and Daughters is really different from North and South, but I was absolutely charmed by it.

Life changes for young Molly Gibson when two events in her life take place. The first event, her widowed father remarries. The second, she is sent to stay at the old ancestral home of local Squire Hamley. Molly's new step-mother is the lovely Mrs Clare, later Mrs Gibson. She is considered quite the beauty for her age, but after marrying Molly's father, Dr Gibson, Mrs Gibson puts on airs and dramatically changes the relationship between father and daughter. Mrs Gibson brings a daughter, Cynthia, from a previous marriage into the Gibson household. Cynthia is everything Molly is not. She is outgoing, witty, and charms the pants off of everyone she encounters, especially men.

Cynthia and Molly became like sisters, but their relationship with Squire Hamley's sons complicate their relationship. The Hamley sons, Osborne and Roger are as dramtically different as Molly and Cynthia. The novel reminded of something written by Jane Austen. There are many romantic twists and turns and unexpected secrets.

As I started reading this novel, I thought I knew what the plot would consist of, but I was 100% wrong. Although the novel and the characters turned out to be a surprise, I was quite charmed by it. The novel was never finished due to the author's death, but the reader will not feel cheated because it is quite obvious how Gaksell intended the novel to end. ... Read more

Product Description
The Half-Brothers is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

brothers love
this(short)story is about 2 half brothers that lost their mother early in life. the youngest brother is very much loved by everyone while the oldest is despised by everyone (for no apparent reason). one evening the young brother went out and got lost in a snow storm and would have died had his eldest brother not come out looking for him. by the time he found him, the storm was so strong they could not make their way back home. the oldest brother decided to save the youngest life by taking of his coat and give it to his brother and trowing his own body over him to keep him warm and by doing so dieing in the process.
this is a tale of unconditional brotherly love that teaches us that no matter what,love,duty and honor will prevail. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: English fiction; ... Read more

Customer Reviews (79)

North and South (Oxford World's Classics)
After seeing the BBC production of this book I was anxious to get the book and read it for myself.

Classic love story flavored with social division and labor struggles in mid-Victorian England
First published as a magazine serial of twenty-two installments in Household Words edited by her mentor Charles Dickens, NORTH AND SOUTH was later expanded by Mrs. Gaskell into the format we know today and publish in book format in 1855. The story explores some of Gaskell's favorite topics: social division and class struggles, religious faith and doubt, and the changing landscape of mid-Victorian England from an agricultural nation to industrial giant. Interlaced in these conflicts are genuine characters as passionate in their social convictions as they are in their quest for understanding and love.

Opening with the wedding of her vivacious cousin Edith Shaw to Captain Lennox, our nineteen year-old heroine Miss Margaret Hale is at an important juncture in her life. Raised in London by her wealthy Aunt Shaw, her duties as companion to her cousin are now over and she returns to her family as an educated and sophisticated young lady. Her parents live in Helstone, an idyllic rural Hampshire village where her father is the local Church of England minister and her mother a former county belle. Higher born than her husband she married for love against her family's wishes. They lead a comfortable, but frugal life until her father's decision to leave the church on principal; uprooting his family to the only opportunity available to them. His former Oxford tutor Mr. Bell has connections in Milton-Northern, an industrial city of cotton mills and coal smoke in the north of England, a far cry from the comforts, sunny climes and verdant countryside of the south in Hampshire. On the same day of Margaret's fathers shocking announcement, Henry Lennox a young lawyer and brother of Edith's husband visits the Hales in Helstone with the objective of proposing marriage to Margaret. Because she feels no affection other than friendship for him, his offer is rejected.

The Hale's are aided in their search for a new home in Milton by Mr. Bell's tenant John Thornton, a young successful mill owner who has worked his way up from working class to respectable tradesman after the tragic death of his father when he was fifteen. The ladies find Milton smoky and stifling, especially Mrs. Hale and her personal maid Dixon who are always ready to complain about the dirty air, the unsophisticated town and its lowly people. Because of their reduced circumstances and the lack of help in a mill town that can offer higher wages to young girls, Margaret fills in as maid with the household duties. Margaret is happy to help, but her mother is horrified that her daughter, a lady, must work as a menial. To support his family Mr. Hale has found work as a tutor. One of his best students is John Thornton who is eager to improve himself and catch up on his education. Mr. Hale invites him to tea much to the bemusement of Margaret and Mrs. Hale who are arrogant and cold to him, believing him below their notice. Margaret is outspoken, voicing her opinions to him of Milton, their odd northern customs, and critical of Mr. Thornton's comments about the differences in the south. Margaret thinks he is coarse and harsh with his workers. He thinks she is beautiful and intriguing, but proud and full of airs for someone new, poor and uninformed.

As Margaret begins to acclimate to her new home, she makes friends with Nicolas Higgins, one of the mill workers and his sickly daughter Bessy. They are skeptical of her intentions when she visits and very proud not to take charity. Through them she comes to understand the hard working conditions in the mills and sees the result of their unhealthy environment in Bessy, whose work from a young age has infected her lungs from inhaling the cotton fluff that floats through the factory. Mrs. Hale's health is also in steady decline and the doctor warns Margaret that there is not much more time before she is gone. Margaret keeps this news to herself and shoulders the burden as she has done to protect each of her parents from bad news. With his urging, John Thornton's mother begrudgingly makes a social call at the Hales with her daughter Fanny, privately offering her assistance with her mother to Margaret.

In turn, Margaret visits Mrs. Thornton at their home next to the mill and finds herself in the middle of a workers strike. Desperate to fill mill orders and keep his business solvent, Mr. Thornton has brought in cheaper Irish workers to break the strike and an angry mob has amassed outside the mill ready to riot and kill the blackleg workers in protest. Margaret admonishes Thornton to talk to the crowd and appease their anger.

Of course Gaskell has built up to this moment so beautifully that we are crestfallen by Margaret's reaction to his admission of love. It is the axis of the novel. She despises him and accuses him of ungentlemanly behavior, the worst insult to throw at a man trying to win the heart of a lady. He is hurt yet dignified in rejection. That is indeed an act of a gentleman that she does not recognize yet.

How these two strong minded and opposing personalities will come together, and we are never in doubt that they will, is one of the most moving and satisfying love stories that I have ever read. Often compared to Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Gaskell's NORTH AND SOUTH parallels many of the same misunderstanding and misconceptions that the two protagonists go through to reach mutual respect and love. This was the first Gaskell novel that I have read, and her style, while more effusive and descriptive than Austen's was a welcome surprise. Interlaced with this study of the diametric personalities are the differences in the lifestyles from agricultural southern England to the industrial north. Her characterizations were so detailed and real, that I cared deeply about the outcome of each of them. I recommend NORTH AND SOUTH highly. It will remain one of my cherished novels that I reread regularly. That is the greatest compliment an author can hope for. This wonderful audio book edition read by Clare Willie enhanced by enjoyment of this classic story considerably.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose

North and South Worthy enough to read but not to devour.
Elizabeth Gakell is an amazing writer but it comes too close in contact with Jane Austen.It is like reading her work ( Jane Austen) with more inconveniences.I only give this book 3.5 stars.It is worthy to rad.

north and south book
Enjoyed the book.Interesting and informative introduction.Good references in the back.Print small but readable.

If you like Jane Austen, you'll like this.
This book is a blend of Jane Austen-style stories, and some of Dickens' romances like "Little Dorrit" and "Our Mutual Friend." ... Read more

Product Description
Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel, is regarded by many as her masterpiece. Molly Gibson is the daughter of the doctor in the small provincial town of Hollingford. Her widowed father marries a second time to give Molly the woman's presence he feels she lacks, but until the arrival of Cynthia, her dazzling step-sister, Molly finds her situation hard to accept. Intertwined with the story of the Gibsons is that of Squire Hamley and his two sons; as Molly grows up and falls in love she learns to judge people for what they are, not what they seem. Through Molly's observations the hierarchies, social values, and social changes of early nineteenth-century English life are made vivid in a novel that is timeless in its representation of human relationships. This edition, the first to be based in the original Cornhill Magazine serialization of 1864-6, draws on a full collation of the manuscript to present the most accurate text so far available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Question for E. Gaskell fanatics
Which is a good version of Wives and Daughters that extrapolates a satisfying ending?
Audio would be great, but if one is not available then a regular book.
I just got done with the abridged Naxos version, and I'd really like to get a plausible ending.
Thanks for any help.

Wives and Daughters (Oxford World's Classics)
After viewing the BBC production of the same name I was anxious to purchase the book and read it for myself.I love this newly discovered author, Elizabeth Gaskell.

Great Read
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.

On Par with Jane Austen
I knew that I would like this book based on the title, the cover and the period in history.But I was so surprised to discover this amazing author who's writing style rates up there with Austen, Brontes, Eliot and others.

The most refreshing thing about Gaskell is that as an author, she comes across as very upbeat and mentally well-balanced.Often, an author's "issues" are evident in their works and the reader walks away with a strong sense of the author's psychological make-up and is even sometimes affected by it if it's negative.I did not get that feeling at all with this one but felt an overall sense of peace even though it portrayed a realistic situation that at times was very uncomfortable.

Wives and Daughters
I am enjoying reading this book.Elizabeth Gaskell is an amazing writer. Her development of characters is very entertaining.I feel like I have always known them and she has refreshed my memory. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of Victorian short stories about marriage written by five well-known authors: George Augustus Moore (1852-1933), Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-1865), Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901) and Henry James (1843-1916). ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Fiction / General; Fiction / Literary; Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Romance / Historical; ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Moorland Cottage
I've just discovered a wonderful author-Elizabeth Gaskell.I've read a couple of her books and can hardly wait to read other books by her.

Another work of Mrs. Gaskell's that is well worth a read
If you enjoyed Cranford you will enjoy this sweet little novella. It is the storyof Maggie Browne, a truly kind, sweet, and totally unselfish girl who has a brother, who is the complete opposite of her in personality.

Although Maggie knows her brother for what he is,she still loves him, and I am sure you can imagine the conflict,sacrifice, and pain, Maggie will face because of her brother's selfishness.

Maggie and her brother's relationship reminded me much of Molly and Cynthia's in "Wives and Daughters," another of Mrs. Gaskell's stories.
Mrs. Gaskell never finshed "Wives and Daughters", and so we do not know for sure that Molly is rewarded with the love of the man she loves.

However in in this novella, Maggie is eventually rewarded with the devotion of the man she loves, in spite of her brother.

I understand this story will be woven into the new Cranford adaptation sequel. It has the caliber of Cranford, Mr. Harrison's Confession, and My Lady Ludlow, a good choice to be sure! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A fine novel
This is a mature and engaging work by a fine novelist.Taking the operations of England's press gangs around the turn of the eighteenth century as a point of departure, the author builds a suspenseful and moving story.(The story is not as lurid as the title might imply to today's sensibility.)

good read for a winter afternoon
classic female lit.Sylvia's Lovers sounds lurid, but it is 1800's innocent.A woman has to choose between two men. ... Read more

Product Description
Three memorable novellas by Elizabeth Gaskell together in one volume; Cranford, Mr. Harrison's Confessions, and My Lady Ludlow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The Cranford Chronicles - Cranford, Mr. Harrison's Confessions, My Lady Ludlow
After seeing the BBC production of "Cranford" I was anxious to read this book.This book is as engaging as the DVD.

Jane Austin in the early 1800's
Gaskell's plots are village and people oriented, something like Jane Austin's.Unlike Austen, she provides not only the humorous descriptions of characters' actions and speech; she will at some point explain how that character came to be the way he/she is.I bought this because I had seen a PBS series based on the Gaskell's books.The TV shows omitted some characters and subplots and shortened or combined some actions.Even if you've seen the Cranston TV series, the novels are enjoyable because of the depth.They are a really good read.

Great stories, poor publication
I was thrilled to find these three stories published together and was riveted the entire time, a great read for fans of the BBC show as well as period literature.

The stories themselves receive 5 stars, my rating is for this specific published edition only.

The book I received was a poor publication. The picture provided by Amazon was the book I received, but it was by "Seven Treasures Publications" not the publisher listed in the details. I make a point of this as this review may not apply to all copies.
The editing of this edition is terrible, enough to take you out of the book. I noticed no less than 4 instances where "conic" was written rather than "coming," and many words were swapped with their homonyms, weather/whether, soar/sore etc.

Lastly (and this is just a personal thing) I found the book too big and cumbersome, at 10" tall and nearly 7" wide, (but only 3/4" thick) it was nearly twice the size of your average book, and quite floppy for a paperback. The book is 256 pages, which would have taken at least 400 in an average sized book (for example; Cranford is 103 pages in this edition, where my individual book of Cranford is 193.) I would not have given it a bad review on that alone, but thought I would include it just for reference.

exactly what we wanted
I saw the DVDs and now can't wait to read the books. How great to find the three books the DVDs are based on in one volume!

Chronicles of Quality LIfe
Explore the 3 life perspectives of the folks in Cranford and surrounds and you'll settle in for a cup of tea at Miss Matty's in no time.These are the 3 character-filled and -driven collections that the PBS Cranford series and Return to Cranford series were adapted from, so I recommend Gaskell's set here for any and all who've enjoyed the film versions.

And this particular offering from Amazon is priced so frugally even Cranford's own Miss Deborah would approve.So, settle into Cranford for the summertime and enjoy the rhythm of their lives. ... Read more

Product Description
"North and South" is Elizabeth Gaskell's 1854 novel that contrasts the different ways of life in the two respective regions of England. In the North the emerging industrialized society is sharply contrasted with the aging gentry of the agrarian based South. The plot of "North and South" centers around the main character Margaret Hale, the daughter of a non-conformist minister who moves his family to an industrial town in the North after a split from the Church of England. With important underlying social themes, North and South stands out as one of the greatest novels in the history of English literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent product!
This is a perfect DVD of the great mini-series of "North and South" - great to view on the DVD player.Love the story, and filming!

Great Novel (Poor Edition)
I love this novel, it's a wonderfully written and complex story, I just wish I had not bought this particular edition because there are a lot of obvious typos that distracted me from the story.Just a helpful note. :)

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!
I just love this book.I came across Elizabeth Gaskell after finishing up my Jane Austen re-read marathon.They are both during the same period & the writing is absolutely beautiful.This book is beautiful.The movie is superb but no adaptation ever is better than the original written words.I read the book two times over & I still pick it up in between my current reading to put a smile on my face.Gaskell's short stories are beautiful to read as well.Highly recommended for Victorian Literature lovers!!! ... Read more

Product Description
An anthology of ghost stories across the ages

Michael Newton is the author of Savage Girls and Wild Boys: A History of Feral Children (Faber & Faber, 2002; Picador USA, 2004) and Kind Hearts and Coronets in the BFI Film Classics series (2003). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Decent starter collection but there are better (see review)
"The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories" is an anthology of 19 oft-collected ghost stories--Michael Newton's selection of what he considers to be the cream of the crop from Elizabeth Gaskell's "The Old Nurse's Story" (1852) and Sheridan Le Fanu's "Green Tea" (1869) through Edith Wharton's "Afterward" (1910).

The stories in this book are already in print in several anthologies, most notably "The Oxford Book of English Ghost Stories (Oxford Books of Prose & Verse)" (1986), the twenty-volume Fontana books of 'Great Ghost Stories,' and the classic "Great Tales of Terror and the Supernatural (Modern Library)" (1944).I would rank any of these anthologies over this Penguin starter collection.

The editor, Michael Newton says in his 'Note on the Texts' that this collection "aims more at the person who will buy only one such book [of ghost stories] for private reading or for study, and for those who want one volume that brings together the very best examples of the genre."

I think he succeeds, for the most part in his choice of stories.The only one I had never read before was Lafcadio Hearn's "Nightmare-Touch" which reads more like a dream diary than a short story.I'm not certain I would have included so many stories told in dialect, most especially Robert Louis Stevenson's "Thrawn Janet" (1887), but there are extensive notes at book's end, plus a "Glossary of Scots Words.""What Was It?" by Fitz-James O'Brien is not a ghost story, so strictly speaking, it probably should have been excluded from this collection.

Be sure to read Mr. Newton's "Introduction" to this anthology in which he analyzes the purpose of the ghost story, and gives us a brief history of the genre.

The stories in this collection:"The Old Nurse's Story" by Elizabeth Gaskell; "What Was It?" by Fitz-James O'Brien; "The Haunted and the Haunters: or, The House and the Brain" by Edward Bulwer Lytton; "The Cold Embrace" by Mary Elizabeth Braddon; "The North Mail" by Amelia B. Edwards; "No. 1 Branch Line: The Signal-man" by Charles Dickens; "Green Tea" by Sheridan Le Fanu; "The Ghost in the Cap'n Brown House" by Harriet Beecher Stowe; "Thrawn Janet" by Robert Louis Stevenson; "The Open Door" by Margaret Oliphant; "At the End of the Passage" by Rudyard Kipling; "Nightmare-Touch" by Lafcadio Hearn; "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs; "The Wind in the Rose-Bush" by Mary Wilkins Freeman; "'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'" by M.R. James; "The Moonlit Road" by Ambrose Bierce; "The Jolly Corner" by Henry James; "The Readjustment" by Mary Austin; "Afterward" by Edith Wharton.

Starter Collection
This newest collection of great ghost stories sticks pretty closely to the title as advertised: an actual ghost is present within most the stories which refuse to haunt other avenues of the supernatural. The editor's intention is admirable and clearly stated early on: "I felt it best not to shy away from some obvious choices. In my view, some very good anthologies of ghost stories are weakened by a desire to pick surprising, neglected or substandard stories by the best writers in the genre, or second rank stories by largely forgotten writers. As a result, the editors produce anthologies for people who collect such anthologies and who already own the classic tales. While this book aims to provide something for such readers, it aims more at the person who will buy only one such book for private reading or study, and for those who want one volume that brings together the very best examples of the genre". He also mentions authors he couldn't get for copyright reasons: Blackwood, Machen,de la Mare, Hitchens, Onions.

He addresses what I perceived to be a fault with the new Library of America anthology by Peter Straub: too many second tier stories by famous authors. And while his own anthology corrects this fault to a degree, it lapses into other errors. Some of the most famous stories are not always the author's best or there are other works that ought be equally famous and are much less anthologized (though hardly unknown): I would take MR James "Casting the Runes" before yet another inclusion of the overly availableand disappointing "Oh, Whistle". As "The Monkey's Paw" is probably the best ghost story ever written both in its economy of story and proper eeriness, I have no problem with its ghostly presence. But Fitz-James O'Brien's "What Was It?" is not very frightening and Henry James' "The Jolly Corner" is well written and famous but a ghost story in name only. So if I would complain it would be of overall taste, a hard thing to defend or even define.

Newton writes a very admirable introduction to the whole topic of ghost stories and gives readers many directions for further reading. But if I were to choose a single anthology that does what Newton aimed to do, I would chooseGreat Tales of Terror and the Supernatural (Modern Library) or the Dark Descent anthologies. Both are unsurpassed in picking the best written, scariest stories and are still in print. But yet another anthology that seriously aims for quality and frequently achieves it should not be shunned either, like an old dark house in a deserted part of town. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Sylvia's Lovers (Penguin Classics)
After discovering the author, Elizabeth Gaskell, I've been collecting as many of her books as possible.I look forward to reading this book.

A Tale of Moral Courage
In spite of the racy title, this book has no sex in it whatsoever. It was written in a simpler time (the Victorian age), when Lovers meant people who loved someone and desired to court them in a purely innocent way. So, if you're looking for salacious writing, you've come to the wrong place.

I've recently developed a keen interest in Elizabeth Gaskell. I saw two mini-series based on her books "Wives and Daughters" and "Cranfield" (I immediately bought the DVDs). Since then I've read a few of her novels: Wives and Daughters, North and South, and now Sylvia's Lovers. I love the way this author looks into the hearts of her characters. There are no villains, just people who struggle to find happiness. Sometimes in the process, they might harm others, but it is rarely malicious. Some of her characters are truly saintly in their efforts to do the right thing. You go away feeling as if you know every character better than you know yourself. Elizabeth Gaskell has amazing human insight.

This story is not a romance. It is a redemption tale, beginning with establishing relationships and dynamics between characters, it progresses through tragedy and unexpected character development, to the end when moral courage triumphs over romance. This is not a story that could be told today, when romance always triumphs, but it is far wiser than any mere romance. It is a tale of moral courage.

History's Cold Shadow
In this bleak novel Elizabeth Gaskell deftly weaves a dark thread of history into her narrative tapestry.While war hovers on the margins of the novel, no one is left unaffected by its horror.After a sometimes painfully slow setup of domestic life in the seaside town of Monkshaven in the first third of the book, the sense of doom grows increasingly palpable.Sylvia, the novel's heroine, is isolated by her supposedly protective domestic sphere, but Gaskell shatters the delicate domestic circle that surrounds her.While Sylvia is left to bear emotional scars, becoming an impassive, hardened woman, Charley Kinraid, her true love, returns from war a ghost, haunting the margins of Monkshaven to hide his terrible physical scars.The full realization of the blight on Sylvia's life comes when the novel spirals down to its inevitable conclusion, where even reconciliation and understanding brings a powerful sense of loss. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Ruth
Upon discovering a new author, Elizabeth Gaskell, I bought and read "Ruth".I was very impressed with the way she unlocks the deep seatedmoral issues that everyday people deal with upon discovering the indiscretions of others.A good way to do an internal examination of our own values and how we deal with others.

Completely gripping
This book was so gripping that I finished it in two days; I couldn't put it down.I cried periodically throughout the book, and sobbed uncontrollably when I got to the end.Since I didn't read the chapter titles before I read the book, I didn't know how it would end.This is a beautiful yet heart wrenching story, but I really wish it had a happier ending.In a way, one could say it was a good ending, yet I would have wished for Ruth to have married and had some happiness in this life, not just a reward in the next world.I suppose that after reading "North and South", I had expected a story that also ended well.This book affected me much more than "North and South", which I also loved.Somehow, this book had the impact on me that "The Count of Monte Cristo" did - another riveting book that drew me in instantly and I couldn't put down for 2 days until I finished it.The plot was in some ways similar to "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", but at least that book had a happy ending.

Other reviewers have outlined the plot, so I won't go into that here.Perhaps only those who have suffered intensely can understand Ruth's pain, rejection, fears, and reactions.I was impressed that at no time did Ruth lay the blame for her sin on anyone but herself, although clearly she was young, innocent, alone in the world, and may have wondered - under the circumstances - if she even had a choice.Although the self-righteous characters in the book got their just desserts, I have to wonder if any of them would have acted more honorably than Ruth did had they been in her shoes - an orphan, young, utterly alone, naive, vulnerable.It is so easy to judge, but perhaps we have been spared similar tests because we would not have been able to bear them.

I look forward to reading Elizabeth Gaskell's other books, but I will check the table and contents first and may not plunge in right now if it looks like another tragedy.I think I need to recover from this one first.I loved this book, but just be prepared that this is not light reading.

Elizabeth Gaskell hasn't failed me yet.
Beautifully written novel. One of my favorites. Is it a slow read? Yes. But not obnoxiously slow. Just slow enough so that you can savor it. Wasn't too impressed with this edition though. Quite bulky and low quality.

Ruth
As usual Elizabeth Gaskell highlights for us issues of the day and the problems they produce. These are presented to us in a very good read..I will look for other books by this author

A beautiful story of sin and redemption.
When one thinks of Victorian sensation novels, one thinks of Wilkie Collins or Mary Elizabeth Braddon.The name Elizabeth Gaskell does not immediately come to mind. Elizabeth Gaskell was a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens. Ruth, the author's second book, is not Gaskell's best known novel, but it is a forgotten gem that is worthy of much praise.

Ruth is the story of a young and innocent orphan whofalls into the hands of a vain aristocratic young man named Mr Bellingham. Ruth Hilton was apprenticed to a seamstress by her guardian, but she loses her job when Mrs Mason, her employer, finds Ruth alone with Bellingham. The sweet and innocent orphan finds herself without a roof over her head. The cunning Bellingham coaxes Ruth into accompanying him to London where he promises he will take care of her. Ruth agrees. The sixteen year old orphan cannot begin to comprehend the ramifications of her decision.

Ruth and Bellingham spend time at an inn in Wales where there is much talk and gossip about the beautiful young lady who is accompanied by a man who is not her husband. Ruth, however, remains oblivious to the gossip behind her back. Her stay in Wales is simply the happiest time of her life, but that happiness is cut short.

Bellingham becomes ill and is whisked away by his mother leaving Ruth alone and heartbroken. Soon after Bellingham's departure Ruth is taken in by generous clergyman, Mr Benson. Ruth discovers that she is pregnant, and Mr Benson and his sister, Faith, take Ruth home with them and attempt give her a new identity to avoid the stigma attached to an unmarried mother. Ruth takes up residence at the Benson's home under the name of the widow Denbigh. Ruth lives with the Benson's for many years, but secrets always have a way of coming out.

This is a novel of sin and redemption. The subject matter may not seem controversial to modern readers, but the author was very apprehensive about how the novel would be received by nineteenth-century readers. The novel sparked all sorts of debate about redemption that may or may not interest readers today, but the novel is worth reading for its emotional intensity. Ruth has one of the most heartbreaking endings that I have ever read. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Elizabeth Gaskell's The Life of Charlotte Bronte (1857) is a pioneering biography of one great Victorian woman novelist by another. Gaskell was a friend of Bronte's and, having been invited to write the official life, determined to both tell the truth and honor her friend. This edition collates all three previous editions, as well as the manuscript, offering fuller information about the process of writing and a more detailed explanation of the text than any previous edition. ... Read more

Product Description
The most well-known and well-liked of Gaskell's works, this softly humorous picture of an English country village was first serialized in a magazine edited by Charles Dickens in 1851. Based on the village of Gaskell's childhood, "Cranford" is narrated by a young woman visiting the town who describes the genteel poverty of two middle-aged spinster sisters, Miss Matty and Miss Deborah. Gaskell tells of their little adventures in a confidential and almost chatty tone, perfectly conveying their habits and standards of propriety, decency, and kindness in reduced circumstances. The colorful characters and subtle class distinctions of the village of Cranford are captured in this compassionate and hopeful portrayal of small-town English life. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Civilized, Humorous & Warm
This book wraps you 'round and carries you into into the humble, hilarious and understated society of the women who inhabit the small town of Cranford; it is a treasure that you will want to read again and again.

"Our Society"
"Cranford" is likely the best known novel of Victorian author Elizabeth Gaskell.The novel follows the day-to-day social lives of a group of upper-middle-class women in the small, fictional town of Cranford, England.Rather than having a strong narrative, the novel delivers a tableau of social goings on that illuminate the characters and their lives.These stories are told largely through the eyes of a younger lady (Miss Mary Smith) who often visits from a nearby town.The ladies of Cranford are not rich, but wealthy enough to belong to a certain social strata, and much of the comedy derives from their careful considerations of who to include and exclude at various social gatherings.Miss Matty is essentially the main protagonist, and she is a basically kind woman if a bit miserly, especially when it comes to candles.She and her friends typically look to the most prominent member of Cranford female society, Miss Jamieson, and then assiduously follow her lead.Unfortunately, Miss Jamieson is sometimes rather narrow-minded, unlike the other ladies, which creates certain socially awkward situations.

This enjoyable novel may seem a bit meandering to some readers, given that there is not a main narrative thread.The novel was originally published in serialized form in "Household Words" (edited by Charles Dickens), which may partially help explain its lack of a strong plot.Indeed, the 2007 BBC mini-series versions of "Cranford" included stories from several of Gaskell's other novels.However, the stories here all add up to a devastatingly accurate picture of small town life and the sometimes vicious yet amusing ways in which people in them behave.Gaskell clearly understood human nature, and readers are likely to recognize many truths about human foibles in her stories.I found myself laughing and touched often.

Note: This review is for the Kindle version.The text is well-arranged and does not contain any noticeable errors, although there are lots of spaces in between section and subsections (which actually makes reading easier).This version has no extras, such as a biography of Gaskell or an introduction to the text; however, such materials are so easily available on the internet now that this exclusion is not a major debit.

splendid absolutly splendid
Cranford is a marvelous,stupendous,elegent,splendid,perfect,
funny. a very good book but just a little hard to understand.like Charles Dickens a wirlwind of words that make a puzzle piece. you need all the pieces to make a puzzle. understand what you are reading and it makes a perfect picture. dont understand and the picture is fuzzy,unclear,and confusing.

Delightful read.
Gaskills character sketches are delightful to read. Her descriptions of village life are spot on. I have lived in a small village all my life, and with the exceptions of technologies and British class systems, this is how a small town still operates. Loved reading it and followed with the other novels based in Cranford ASAP.

great readingT
This book was very entertaining.Just loved the Ladies of Cranford. It was a good story well told of days gone by.Very good ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Wonderful book if you haven't read it....
Wonderful book if you haven't read it then read it. If you haven't watched the movie buy it it's worth the money. this is right up there with pride and Predjudice.

Great Book - Excellent Movie
North and South delves into Victorian social issues. Ms. Gaskell describes the role of middle class women in nineteenth century society. The main character of the story is Margaret Hale, a minister's daughter, although her mother comes from moeny.The Hales move from the south to the northern industrial town of Milton, The story skillfully explores issues of class and gender, as Margaret's sympathy for the town mill workers conflicts with her growing attraction to the mill owner, John Thornton. Margaret befriends Bessy Higgins who works for JT. Too late, Margaret learns that John Thornton is a forward thinking mill owner who does care about his employees. I found the terminology a little difficult at times. I watched the movie version with Richard Armitage playing John Thornton and it is a wonderful love story. If you have the time it is well worth the read.

You get what you pay for...
The e-text was prepared by Charles Aldarondo.It is full of errors, which ranged from "off-putting" (hyphens in the middle of words, which possibly went across lines in the original), to "frustrating" (phrases transposed to lines some distance from where they belonged).In some instances I could not even discern what was intended!It was almost unbearably distracting. I assume this is not a problem with the other versions of this title...at least I certainly hope not.I would gladly do Mr. Aldarondo's job over again...for free!I loved the book enough to consider paying money to get a better version, which I probably will do!If you knew my frugality, you would know this is indeed high praise for the author! ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

As usual, the book is better
I fell in love with the miniseries, Cranford, first. The acting was supurb, the screenplay a delicious blending of previously disconnected elements. It was truly masterfully done. So, I took my time about buying the book. When I finally did, I was happy that I had. All of the moments that made the miniseries such a delight were there, and more. The book, Cranford Chronicals is a must have for those who love Victorian novels.

This review is for the iPad version of the Chronicals, or at least one story from it. I purchased all three stories for my iPad, so I could read them on the go: Mr. Harrison's Confession, Cranford, and My Lady Ludlow. This review specifically involves My Lady Ludlow. Though, as I've said, I cannot fault the miniseries in any way (it was sheer delight), if it had a weak point that would be the characterization of Lady Ludlow. She was portrayed as a strong willed woman, though a wounded soul, which is correct, but she was something less than completely sympathetic. Her decision to deny education to a young boy seemed arbitrary and mean spirited. The implication seemed to be that she was aristocratic, and that pride was her main motivation there. Reading the original story gives a much clearer picture of her motivations, making her a much more sympathetic character. She wants to do right, she has merely misjudged due to her unusual experiences. Both versions of the story (the miniseries & the original) are well executed, but I think the book is better. It gives us a unique vision that is lacking in the miniseries, which frankly has fallen into the easier route of cliched motivations here. Gaskell's version is well worth the read.

Oh, and did I mention the addition of a comical character, who made me laugh out loud repeatedly? Yes, it is touching and humourous as well, like all great British Literature. Enjoy. ... Read more

Product Description
The Grey Woman and other Tales is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Product Description
A portrait inexplicably turned to the wall ... a mysterious child who lives on the freezing moors ... a doppelganger brought to life by a woman's bitter curse. These are some of the eerie elements Elizabeth Gaskell uses to masterful effect in Gothic Tales.

A writer best known for books about middle-class life in country villages and the urban social problems of Victorian England, Gaskell was fascinated by the dualities in women's lives, by the tyranny men wield and the revenge women exact, and by the merging of fact and fiction, not only in literature but in everyday lives. In these nine spine-tingling tales, she adds another layer of intrigue: the abrupt appearance of the supernatural in the most ordinary of settings and the havoc it plays on human frailties. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent short gothic stories by the pen of Mrs. Gaskell the Victorian novelist
Mrs. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-65) was a great novelist. She wrote among other classic novels: "North and South"; "Wives and Daughters"; "Cranford" (recently serialized on Masterpiece Theatre); "Mary Barton" and "Sylvia's Lover." Less known is her work in the short story genre. She wrote many pieces for the periodical Household Words edited by Charles Dickens, the Cornhill magazine and other Victorian periodicals. She was also the wife of the Rev. William Gaskell a Unitarian clergyman in Manchester; a mother; traveler and one of the earliest and best biographers of Charlotte Bronte who was her dear friend.
Gothic Tales is a collection of eerie tales compiled in a new Penguin Revised edition. Nine stories are included in the collection which are:
Disappearances-a short article on unusual disappearances no one has been able to explain.
The Old Nurse's Story-The tale of a young girl who is pursued by a ghost who looks like her.
The Squire's Story-The story of Mr Hearn a highwayman.
The Poor Clare-The tale of Bridget and her daughter Mary. Mary disappears and Bridget seeks to find her but not before putting a curse on Mr Gisbourne who had shot her dog.Bridget's curse results in her grandchild Lucy's shadowing by a fearsome "Other." In her later years Bridget becomes a religious nun in the Clare order.
Lois the Witch is the longest and best of the stories in the collection. It recounts the tale of an English girl who is hanged as a witch during the Salem Witch Trials. This nearly 100 page novella reminds us of the same type of tale spun by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is it the only piece in the collection which is set in America.
The Crooked Branch is the story of a quaint old couple who have a son who becomes a criminal. He returns to the family farm where he participates in a robbery.
Curious, If True is a delightful story of a man who wanders in a French forest. Arriving one night he finds a castle inhabited by fairy tale characters.
The Grey Lady is an excellent story of a German woman who marries a French nobleman who turns out to be a murderer. Her exciting escape with the assistance of a faithful servant makes for good reading.
Mrs. Gaskell deserves to be better known among readers. She writes in a clear and easy to understand style knowing best how to tell a story. I always enjoy her works! These little gothic tale gems are worth your time and money!
the Doom of the Griffiths-Resembles the Oedipus story of Sophocles in which a son kills his father.

Simply incredible!
North and South is one of my favorite classics.The dark, tragic and romantic tale of a young clergyman's daughter's sudden move to the industrial parts of Northern England captivated me from beginning to end, especially after watching BBC's 2004 four-part series adaptation.Wives and Daughters is another favorite.It is lighter than North and South, yet it is nevertheless heartbreaking and tragic in certain areas, a cannot-put-down dramedy that contains various storylines and social topics.Imagine my surprise and delight to discover that Elizabeth Gaskell had written a collection of gothic short stories.I've become an avid reader of the genre, and it can always be appreciated when you get to read one from a classic author.

"Disappearances" sets the perfect tone.Gothic is all over the rather morbid storyline."Curious, If True" is also a perfect gothic, especially because it deals with characters from fairy tales."The Old Nurse's Story" is the proverbial ghost story, as is "The Poor Clare.""The Doom of the Griffiths" centers on an ancient family curse that now haunts the new generation.But my two favorite stories are "Lois the Witch" and "The Grey Woman."

"Lois the Witch" takes place in Salem.Lois Barclay travels from England after she loses her parents.She wants to find her New England relatives, the Hicksons, a Puritanical family, with tragic results.It takes place during the Salem Witch Trials, so you can imagine the rest."The Grey Woman" takes place in eighteenth century Germany.A young miller's daughter marries an aristocratic man.She thinks she has made a perfect match, but little does she know that her husband is not what he seems.These two are rather unique gothic stories.I love the historical language as well as the spookiness of them.

First published in 1850-1860, the stories found in Gothic Tales are memorable and wonderful.I couldn't put this collection down.Elizabeth Gaskell has once again impressed me with her versatile style and beautiful writing.She had been friends with Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte.She'd had her own fame, though in a smaller degree.In my opinion, she deserves as much recognition as Dickens and the Brontes.So, if you haven't read Gaskell, what are you waiting for?This collection would be a great way to start.

A Great Surprise
This book was a great, and very pleasant surprise.I did not know that she wrote short stories, and I really enjoyed reading her "gothic" stories.I have always liked her as a writer, and this book is noiw a wonderful new addition to my colection. ... Read more