First published in 1848, Mary Barton is Elizabeth Gaskell's first novel. The story is set in the English city of Manchester during the 1830s and 1840s and deals heavily with the difficulties faced by the Victorian lower class.
I just finished reading this book. Although I enjoyed it, it certainly was longer than necessary and I was flustrated that the writer chose not to cover any of the meetings between mary and the rich guy that she fancied herself in love with, this oversight did not make sense to me. However,I would recommend reading this, especially if you like a drawn out story with much coverage of the perils of being very poor.
I just finished reading this book. Although I enjoyed it, it certainly was longer than necessary and I was flustrated that the writer chose not to cover any of the meetings between mary and the rich guy that she fancied herself in love with, this oversight did not make sense to me. However,I would recommend reading this, especially if you like a drawn out story with much coverage of the perils of being very poor.