Book info

• Title North and South
• Author John Jakes
• Year 1982
• Genre Historical

Margaret's safe existence is turned upside down when she has to move to the grim northern town of Milton. Not only does she have her eyes opened by the poverty and hardship she encounters there, but she is thrown into confusion by stern factory owner John Thornton - whose treatment of his workers brings them into fierce opposition. As men and women, workers and masters come into violent conflict, it seems opposites can never meet. But do John and Margaret's power struggles hide deeper feelings? And, when it seems Margaret has lost everything, can she find the one thing she never expected?

Thoughts

I’m not sure what prompted me to read this one, considering it wasn’t actually on my Big Read list. However, having worked through that list, I’ve been emboldened to read some of the more intimidating books, and this was one of those. I’m glad I did, too, because it was really good!

Set against the backdrop of growing unrest between the north and south United States, it’s a story of two sprawling families, their lives and loves, as well as how the slave trade gradually wound towards its demise. I must admit that in the second half of the book, I was starting to struggle with the vast cast of characters, and it would take me a second or two to remember who someone was. That was a particular problem because there are occasions where one character is left behind for a long while, and then we suddenly catch up with them quite a few chapters later.

But that’s not really a huge problem, and one mostly associated with my poor memory. It’s a gripping story, I kept wanting to know what would happen with the families, whether characters would ever get together. I understand it’s part of a trilogy, and whilst I might take a break for a bit, I definitely want to read further.

Rating: 4 / 5