North and South

[Blodwyn Pigs Might Fly]

I've just watched the last episode of BBC1's excellent adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel North and South. I was wondering if anyone on here has read the book and, if so, how much was lost for the TV version? I sensed quite a lot, as time passed in a flash at times: one minute Mr Hale was happy in Oxford, the next he was dead, then Margaret was leaving Milton, then she was in London, then she was in Helston, then she was back in Milton. There were four deaths of significant characters in Episode 3 alone - they were dropping like flies towards the end.

Also, does anyone know if the fact that Manchester was renamed Milton was Mrs G's little joke? The phrase "Dark Satanic Mills" comes from William Blake's poem, usually called Jerusalem when sung, but whose real name is Milton.

[Sue]

I have read it a couple of times - a good read and interesting in what it tells you of the times. I didn't watch the TV programme - I am sure it would have had to simplify - like Daniel Deronda.

[The Maid]

I decided a couple of days ago to read North and South by Mrs Gaskell. A couple of weeks ago, I rented out the DVD of the BBC series with the (in my opinion - let me know if you agree) wonderful Richard Armitage in. Our library is brilliant and within a week had made the 14 cassette audiobook available for me which I took out along with the book. Has anyone else read the book and seen the series? I am new to Mrs Gaskell and am surprised at how easy it is to read and listen to, far easier than her contemporary, Mr Dickens! Can anyone recommend any of her other books. I noticed Cranford on the shelf - such a tiny book. I wonder if the BBC used the book or just the title for their series. I was disappointed with Larkrise to Candleford not being from the books, although it was an enjoyable series.

[tagesmann]

I noticed Cranford on the shelf - such a tiny book. I wonder if the BBC used the book or just the title for their series.I think they used a couple of her other short or shorter stories to pad it out.

[The Maid]

Thanks for the info

[soph1288]

I read North & South a few weeks ago for university, and I have to say I loved it. A very easy read, which surprised me too, and a good plot - there's lots going on in it.

Not seen the adapation, although I'm told it's excellent and a good likeness to the novel - some of my friends winged their way through the seminar having only watched and not read.

Not read anything else by her, but will be doing after North and South enjoyment.

[David]

I've merged this with the original thread.

[The Maid]

Finally finished North & South both audio and written word. Thoroughly enjoyable and even better than the series mentioned earlier which did change and edit out quite alot. I loved Mrs Gaskell's ending. In fact, as I had only borrowed the book etc. from my local library, I went and bought myself a copy today because I liked it so much I know that I will want to read it again and look forward to my daughter reading it when she is old enough. :)

[East River]

I noticed Cranford on the shelf - such a tiny book. I wonder if the BBC used the book or just the title for their series.

The BBC series used three works by Elizabeth Gaskell. In addition to Cranford the two shorter pieces are Mr Harrison's Confessions and My Lady Ludlow. While Cranford is worth reading, though for me nowhere near as satisfying as her other novels, the other two are quite weak and My Lady Ludlow told as a tale within a tale is quite interminably tedious. So the BBC writer Heidi Thomas did a brilliant job in taking certain elements from the minor works and blending the various narratives together.
There doesn't seem to be much left out so it will be interesting to see what the coming BBC Xmas special Cranford drama turns out to be based on, or whether this will be altogether new.

[The Maid]

According to the Waterstones website, "The Moorland Cottage" and "The Cage at Cranford" will feature in the 2009 Christmas Cranford Special. Both of these can be found in the book "Return to Cranford" which they sell. I haven't read them but look forward to seeing the Special.

[megustaleer]

Thread on the book Cranford here (http://www.bookgrouponline.com/forum/showthread.html?t=3749&highlight=cranford)

Thread on the TV version of Cranford here (http://www.bookgrouponline.com/forum/showthread.html?t=3690&highlight=cranford)

[Aurélien Arkadiusz]

ECG's 'The Cage at Cranford' is such a slight tale that it is understandable that it was left out of the main 'Cranford' collection.

The message in this short story appears to be that middle-aged to elderly folk living in early C19th provincial backwaters could be way out of touch with the latest fashions in.....er, shall we say 'parrot cages'..... :p

Incidentally, has anyone here ever joined in a guided tour around Knutsford?