Is Margaret of the North a Worthy Sequel to North and South? A Comprehensive Review
It should be noted that this book continues on from the BBC series and not Gaskell's book so when I make references to characters or events, it is with the series in mind.
The first thing that struck me was the intense passion that continued between John and Margaret. E Journey carried on the idea of small touches and shared looks that play so prominently between the two characters. These little moments served to create a lovely, palpable air between them, particularly leading up to their wedding.
I was also grateful for the continued tensions between Margaret and Mrs Thornton. A few sequels I've read tend to gloss over the relationship between them when it is clear that it would take an awful lot for these two to ever get on. In other books the character of Mrs Thornton changed dramatically to suit the situation but with this one I found myself reading her dialogue with the actress, Sinead Cusack, in mind.
This book very much focuses on the romance and the development of their lives together. It does not play particularly on the gritty side of life and you won't see much of the workers lives. Although Margaret and John make attempts to improve their lives, Margaret does not come sweeping in and expect everything to be different. Again, other sequels do. I am grateful for this and though I didn't personally miss the conflict between workers and masters, I would imagine that some would.
The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of was some conflict between John and Margaret. There were a few moments when they clashed ever so slightly but it never lasted. These are two strong willed people and I imagine their life would not have run quite so smoothly. The only other comment I have that could be construed as slightly negative was the Americanism 'Gotten' coming up quite a lot. I know E Journey hails from America so I will forgive her for this one! It just happens to be one of my bugbears!
That aside, I really enjoyed the story and it was thoroughly gratifying to see their passion for one another and the ending took me by surprise as it completely changed my feelings for Mrs Thornton! A must read for North and South fans.
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John Thornton and Margaret Hale honeymoon in a vibrant mid-century Paris gripped by an artistic revolution, and cafés were the place to be. They spend days of ease in Cadiz with her brother and his Spanish wife.
Returning to England invigorated by their trip, they deal with the problems of modernity and industrialization in harsh, bustling Milton. At the same time, Margaret struggles with the age-old complexities of relating to her new husband and mother-in-law.
John is tender and loving towards Margaret, but he is less sensitive than she is to the needs of cotton mill workers’. Can this Victorian feminist tame her man, make him see things her way?
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