I want to start this blog by telling you about one of the cutest books I have ever read, namely Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. I was so happy to finally get the book as a present, since it was one of those books my collection was missing. It is widely considered as a classic and it is first published in 1853, London.
The book falls in the category of things that bring back faith in humankind. The protagonist of the book is Mary Smith and her friend Miss Matty Jenkyns. Mary Smith basically tells what happens during numerous visits to Cranford over the span of quite a lot of years. The setting is a small town during the industrial revolution in England. The book tells about the life of the ladies living in Cranford.
I like the book because of two reasons:
The first is its adoringly cute character. Something about the form of behaviour from those times, especially in Cranford, is warming to read. They never really insult someone in the open and take care in everything they say not to hurt each other’s feelings. Cranford also seems to be a good town where all the ladies take care of each other without a question. They all have been living there for most of their lives which has created a strong community. Miss Matty's sweet disposition probably also helps which is emphasised with the the last line of the book (no spoiler)
'We all love Miss Matty, and I somehow think we are all of us better when she is near us."
Saying that the book is unbearably cute also reminds me that at moments it was unbearably sad. It is both sad and warm at the same time. A moving book is a very good way to sum it up.
The second reason I like the book so much is that it gives a good idea of how life was in those times. The book is a great account of the forms of society of that particular time and about which actions were condemned and which not. That does not mean the ladies of Cranford did not manage to surpass that when needed to assist a friend. Cranford is a very good town.
As conclusion I would say that everyone who enjoyed the classic books like pride and prejudice and North and South because of the language and the spirit of the age would certainly enjoy Cranford as well. The ladies are almost all of a respectable age so a juicy boy meets girl love story is not to be expected. Still it is a book about real people dealing in their own quiet ways with the problems they experience.
People hating this book would probably say it is boring and that nothing is really happening. Also you could comment on the old-fashioned writing style as being impossible to digest. Those two things might be true but I promise you: once you get used to the writing and you become a part of the Cranford society you will mourn the day you read the last page. Also you will find yourself thinking in a slightly more sophisticated English as you are used to by being so engrossed with the story. At least it was like that for me.
There is for those who like to watch moving pictures also a TV-series from the BBC, kings of the costume dramas. The story differs slightly but is the same in spirit and heart warming qualities.
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Currently reading:
-Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
-Whisky & Jazz by Hans Offringa
You know what a good thing is I noticed: now I am surrounded by all my books again I feel very little urge to read from my e-reader. I used mine quite a lot when I was away for a long time without being able to take all my book. Now it almost feels like betrayal when I grab my e-reader with all my books looking down at me.
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