Review: Wives and Daughters

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Having heard a lot about Gaskell, I was prepared for something similar to Jane Austen.

And in many instances, Gaskell fulfilled that expectation. This was a romance with the pre-requisite class distinction, harsh societal rules and busy bodies.

Unfortunately, it also had Molly, the main character. I like a "good" character, but I also want to read about a character who has some spine, some spitfire. In other words, Elizabeth Bennett. Molly reminded me of the main character from [b:Mansfield Park|45032|Mansfield Park|Jane Austen|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309203298s/45032.jpg|2722329], a milksop.

And the non-ending, while full of promise that is pretty clear, is abrupt. I didn't realize that Gaskell had died before finishing this book. I didn't like it any better this time than when I read [b:The Mystery of Edwin Drood|329957|The Mystery of Edwin Drood|Charles Dickens|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1353743676s/329957.jpg|3058467] or when [a:Robert Jordan|6252|Robert Jordan|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1175475715p2/6252.jpg] died part way through the Wheel of Time series.

So I realize that I'm complaining a lot, but I did enjoy it. Just not as greatly as I expected.



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