Wives and Daughters

Discover the enchanting world of Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters, a captivating trade paperback that unveils the intricacies of romance, scandal, and societal norms in a charming English village during the early nineteenth century. Dive into the life of seventeen-year-old Molly Gibson as she navigates the complexities of family, expectations, and friendships after her widowed father remarries. Shrouded in the captivating backdrop of mid-Victorian society, this edition, published by Penguin UK, is expertly edited with insightful notes and an introduction by Pam Morris.

Molly's life takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of her manipulative stepfather and glamorous stepsister, Cynthia. As the story unfolds, the bonds of sisterhood develop amidst the whispers of gossip, leading Molly into the role of a confidante caught in a web of love affairs that threaten her own heart and reputation. With its rich character development and sharp social commentary, Wives and Daughters is a profound exploration of human relationships, illustrating the tension between duty and desire.

This edition not only highlights Gaskell’s unparalleled storytelling but also includes essential commentary on themes such as Englishness, Darwinism, and masculine authority, making it an important literary work worth reading. Get lost in the pages of this 720-page classic that is sure to engage fans of historical fiction, Victorian literature, and those seeking romantic drama. Enjoy FREE shipping on this timeless masterpiece, perfect for book lovers seeking a compelling read.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780140434781
Format: Trade paperback (UK)
Year: 1996
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 720


Description:
Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters is a story of romance, scandal and intrigue within the confines of a watchful, gossiping English village during the early nineteenth century. This Penguin Classics edition is edited with an introduction and notes by Pam Morris.
When seventeen-year-old Molly Gibson's widowed father remarries, her life is turned upside down by the arrival of her vain, manipulative stepfather. She also acquires an intriguing new stepsister, Cynthia, glamorous, sophisticated and irresistible to every man she meets. The two girls begin to confide in one another and Molly soon finds herself a go-between in Cynthia's love affairs - but in doing so risks losing both her own reputation and the man she secretly loves. Set in English society before the 1832 Reform Bill, Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel - considered to be her finest - demonstrates an intelligent and compassionate understanding of human relationships, and offers a witty, ironic critique of mid-Victorian society.
This text is based on the 1866 Cornhill Magazine version of the novel. It also includes notes on textual variants between this edition and the original manuscript, a note on the story's ending and an introduction discussing the novel's challenging investigation of themes of Englishness, Darwinism and masculine authority.
Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-65) was born in London, but grew up in the north of England in the village of Knutsford. In 1832 she married the Reverend William Gaskell and had four daughters, and one son who died in infancy. Her first novel, Mary Barton, was published in 1848, winning the attention of Charles Dickens, and most of her later work was published in his journals, including Cranford (1853), s
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