North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
North and South is Elizabeth Gaskell\u2019s fourth novel and considered by many to be her best. It tells the story of Margaret Hale, a principled young middle-class woman from the rural South whose family are obliged to re-settle in the Northern industrial town of Milton. Joining us to discuss the novel\u2019s contemporary relevance, are two new guests: Jennifer Egan, author of A Visit from the Goon Squad and Nell Stevens, author of the memoir, Mrs Gaskell & Me. We cover the books presentation of labour relations at the height of the Industrial Revolution, the changing position of women in society, the reasons for Elizabeth Gaskell\u2019s uncertain reputation, her unsentimental treatment of death and \u2013 spoiler alert \u2013 whether the novel\u2019s ending works. Also in this episode, Andy is impressed by No Document, Australian writer Anwen Crawford\u2019s ground-breaking work of elegiac non-fiction and John enjoys the exquisite imagination on display in Chloe Ardijis\u2019s Dialogue with a Somnambulist, the Mexican novelist\u2019s recent collection of stories, essays and pen portraits. \nTimings: (may differ due to variable advert length) \n04:20 - No Document by Anwen Crawford. \n10:40 - Dialogue with a Somnambulist by Chloe Aridjis. \n16:42 - North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell \n* To purchase any of the books mentioned in this episode please visit our bookshop at\xa0uk.bookshop.org/shop/backlisted\xa0where all profits help to sustain this podcast and UK independent bookshops. \n* For information about everything mentioned in this episode visit\xa0www.backlisted.fm \n*If you'd like to support the show, listen without adverts, receive the show early and with extra bonus fortnightly episodes, become a Patreon at\xa0www.patreon.com/backlisted\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices