North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell chapter 1 "A Haste to the Wedding" | Audiobook episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 1, 2026 · 25 MIN

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell chapter 1 "A Haste to the Wedding" | Audiobook

from The Essential Reads · host Isaac Birchall

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell chapter 1 "A Haste to the Wedding", narrated by Isaac BirchallSubscribe on YT or Join the Book Club on Patreon and support me as an independent creator :D⁠https://ko-fi.com/theessentialreads⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfOFfvo05ElM96CmfsGsu3g/join⁠Summary:North and South opens with Margret and her cousin Edith in one of the back drawing rooms. Mrs. Shaw is talking with her friends about wedding dresses and wedding ceremonies and Edith fell asleep instead of joining in the conversation. Once Edith marries, Margret will return home from her life in London and be back in the countryside again. A large family dinner was organised to say farewell to Edith before her marriage in a few days’ time. Mrs. Shaw regrets her marriage because of a very large age difference between her and her late husband and has determined on her daughter marrying for love.Edith is called for, but as she is asleep, Margret goes in her stead. She is asked by her aunt to go and fetch some Indian Shawls from upstairs to show to her friends. She goes upstairs and reminisces about her first time coming to the nursery at the age of 10 when she was moved to her aunt’s home. When she comes down, she is asked to model the shawls for Mrs. Shaw’s friends, and they all fawn over the fabrics until the gentlemen enter. Mr Henry Lennox, the brother of Edith’s fiancé is talked to by Mrs. Shaw. He soon finds a place to sit with Margret and proceeds to ask her how she is feeling about moving back to the country and asks many questions about what it is like there. Margret however refuses to elaborate on anything and leaves Henry Lennox jesting at her for her closedness. It is clear that he is very keen on her. Edith awakens during this time and goes to play some piano while waiting for her betrothed to arrive. The man soon arrives, and in several days, he and Edith are married, and away they go on their honeymoon. SEO stuff I don't want to do. Elizabeth Gaskell's classic, "North and South" sees Margaret Hale's live uprooted as her family moves to the north of England. Initially disgusted by the ugliness of the industrial town of Milton, Margaret develops a strong sense of social justice after seeing the poverty and suffering of local mill workers.

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North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell chapter 1 "A Haste to the Wedding" | Audiobook

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