The book I have chosen this week is Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. It was written between 1851 and 1853 and is set in Cranford, a fictional town based on Knutsford in Cheshire a village where she lived as a child.
This book is best described as like a gentle walk in a park. It is a series of vignettes about Mary Smith and her 2 friends Miss Matty and Miss Deborah, both spinsters in this town. The story explores the lives and relationships of a group of spinsters and widows in the Victorian era.
Gaskell paints a wonderful portrait of the social class of this era. She captures, through her wonderful portrayal of characters, the society at this time. She cleverly describes moments in the lives of the women of this village while building a humorous, poignant and sometimes sad story line.
I really enjoyed this feel good book. It was a lovely slice of life that was a pleasure to read.
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