Transplanted from the "civilised" South, Margaret Hale enters a grim new world in industrial Milton-Northern. Appalled by the smoke and noise of the mills, and shocked by the independence of the workers, she still finds no common ground with the blunt Northern manufacturers - especially not with her father's patron, John Thornton. It takes a friendship with Bessy Higgins, daughter of a union leader, to rouse Margaret's interest in Milton's concerns, and encourage her to crusade for understanding between masters and men.
Though they are thrown together by danger in a violent strike, and by Margaret's family misfortunes, understanding between her and Thornton remains elusive. Yet as Margaret herself sees, North and South have much to offer each other, if they could only bridge the gulf.
The most comprehensive paperback edition available, with introduction, notes, text summary, selected criticism and chronology of Gaskell's life and times.
