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Elizabeth Gaskell

Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life

Elizabeth GaskellFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1848

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Book Brief

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Elizabeth Gaskell

Mary Barton

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1848
Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Manchester, England • 1830s

Publication Year

1848

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1060L

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Super Short Summary

Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell follows the life of a young working-class woman in 19th-century Manchester as she navigates love, family struggles, and societal issues during the industrialization era. The narrative focuses on Mary Barton and her relationships with her father, suitors Harry Carson and Jem Wilson, and explores class tensions and political upheaval through her and her family’s experiences. The book discusses child loss and domestic abuse.

Dark

Melancholic

Contemplative

Gritty

Romantic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

21,840 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell is lauded for its vivid portrayal of 19th-century working-class life and societal issues. Critics praise its emotional depth and social critique, while some find the pacing slow and the melodramatic elements overwhelming. Overall, it is a powerful, empathetic, and significant work in Victorian literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Mary Barton?

Readers who enjoy socially conscious novels set in the Victorian era, such as Charles Dickens' Hard Times or Charlotte Brontë's Shirley, will appreciate Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton. This book particularly appeals to those interested in class struggles, industrialization, and richly detailed character studies.

4.0

21,840 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Manchester, England • 1830s

Publication Year

1848

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1060L

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