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This is Elizabeth Gaskell at her best, and Shirley Foster's edition is both sagacious and formally accurate. The appendices are invaluable and the explanatory notes are relevant without being obtrusive. A must for readers of Mary Barton. Dr. Antonio Ballesteros-Gonzalez, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
This is Elizabeth Gaskell's first novel, a widely acclaimed work based on the actual murder, in 1831, of a progressive mill owner. It follows Mary Barton, daughter of a man implicated in the murder, through her adolescence, when she suffers the advances of the mill owner, and later through love and marriage. Set in Manchester, between 1837-42, it paints a powerful and moving picture of working-class life in Victorian England.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A Victorian epic of industrialization's struggles,
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This review is from: Penguin Classics Mary Barton (Paperback)
This is not a book for the casual reader. It is a true literary classic à la Gaskell's contemporary, Dickens' works. Published in 1848, It has Lancashire dialect and colloquialisms aplenty, aided by footnotes and a copious appendix. It has harsh social and economic commentary, interlaced with strong Christian and bourgeoisie influences. Most of all it is a narrative of desperate privation, devoted friendships, a zealous romance, a vengeful murder and dramatic mystery, taking place in the 1830s and 40s. Many circumstances tie into actual historical events and locations in Manchester and London. Although reading this book may at times feel like hard work, it is well worth it.The Penguin edition I read has an introduction by Macdonald Daly which should be read subsequent to reading Gaskell's novel. I'll never understand the publisher's logic in placing it at the front of the book when it is going to betray the plot highlights. I disagree strongly with Daly's critique of Gaskell's perceived motives and biases. As the saying goes, "write what you know" and that is what Gaskell did. She grew up a Unitarian and married a minister. She existed in a life of moderate privilege. Her social environment was one of associating with the academically, professionally and economically astute. Who could afford to buy her book? Certainly very few of the downtrodden, most of whom were practically illiterate, would read her book. She addressed her book to members of the upper crust and tried as far as she could to instil in them more of a social conscience. But she had to do this judiciously without alienating them, not by coming down on them full force as did her contemporaries Robert Owen, Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx. Gaskell should be viewed as a courageous pioneer and bridge builder over the morass of social and economic inequality which existed during the Industrial Revolution in Britain. She became an ardent activist for her causes, influencing the gradual lessening of the breach between capital and labour. Daly implies she was a schemer and deceiver and questions her integrity of motive. I would call his attitude reflective of retrospective leftist snobbery! Gaskell first issued the book anonymously because of her fear of the backlash (and, no doubt, the prevailing prejudice against women having the ability and right to have serious opinions). But, not long after, she admitted to being its author and she wrote several more excellent works as well as articles, taking the criticism in stride. I would give this book five stars for its historical and social significance, but purely based on its literary merit I would give it three stars, hence my rating of four.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rich in Substance and Sadness,
By Eclectic Reader (NYC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Penguin Classics Mary Barton (Paperback)
This is a fine book, full of beautifully rendered characters. I love the painful and powerful picture Gaskell paints of life among the English working classes-- the struggles for physical and spiritual survival against horrific odds is rendered with compassion and depth. Her writing is emotionally rich and I found myself truly moved by the all the characters. The friendship between Mary and Margaret, the gentle, but rock solid faith of Alice, the passion of Jem, etc. This book is certainly worth reading.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling description of industrial revolution era want.,
By frumiousb "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Penguin Classics Mary Barton (Paperback)
Gaskell wrote one of the most vivid descriptions of the gap between rich and poor in this novel of the Manchester 'hungry forties'. The plot is driven by the device of a murder of young factory owner's son, but this story line is more an excuse to present the story as a novel (and to serve the demands and expectations of the novel form as it was understood at the time) than it really is the center of the book. The romance and the mystery (although still well-written) are cursory in comparison to the loving detail that Gaskell lavishes on Alice Wilson, the temptation of Esther and all the little points of life in deep poverty.Worth reading, particularly if you're a fan of the novel (or history) of the period.
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