Thanks to Becky at Becky’s Book Reviews for hosting this challenge!
I chose to watch the BBC ‘Cranford’ mini-series and the BBC ‘North and South’ Mini-series.
Based on the book of the same name, Cranford was set in an 1842 rural Cheshire town. It was about the trials and tribulations of the town’s people. The town is going through modernization, namely with a railroad being built. Some of the town embrace this change, but many fear it.
I really enjoyed getting to know the Cranford people, warts and all. I hoped and dreamed with them. The crisp filming showed a beautiful landscape.
4/5
Also based on the book of the same name, North and South takes place in 1800’s Milton, England. Margaret Hale is uprooted from her southern home because her father has a mid-life crisis of sorts and decides to move the family to Milton, a small cotton-milling town in the north.
With no income, her father decides to teach philosophy. One of his students is the mill owner, mill owner John Thornton. Margaret does not approve of Thorton, thinking he is too harsh with his employees. However, like the leading woman in Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, Margaret starts to see some good in him.
There have been some comparisons with Pride and Prejudice done with North and South, and I certainly see some similarities. However, this is an excellent story in it’s own right and there are some differences. Especially how Margaret befriends the poorer towns people.
I truly enjoyed North and South and highly recommend it. I can see myself re-visiting it from time to time, as I do with Pride and Prejudice. I also hope to read the book North and South one of these days.
5/5
North and South was also reviewed at:
