Having studied this book, I know it quite well. I first read it in 2004 but read it a few times later on as part of a university course on 1930s literature. Set in the fictional ‘South Riding’ of Yorkshire (which is like the real East Riding), the novel follows a large number of characters. It’s a complex and realistic tale of grudges, poverty, tragedy and romance. Local politics are central to the book, with various councillors wrangling over issues affecting the area. I wouldn’t say that the book is one of my favourites but I appreciate that it’s important in the canon of literature written by women and that it’s an interesting exploration of the Depression era. There was a BBC TV adaptation in 2011, which I remember as being very good.
Catch up on recent ‘time-travelling bookworm’ posts: Point Horror Collection 1, Northern Lights, The Story of an African Farm.
Didn’t know you took literature! Did you like it the first time you read it? Love the cover of this book ๐
Yes that was my degree subject ๐ I think I liked it the first time I read it but keeping track of the large number of characters is a little off-putting. I like this cover, it’s not the one that I had a copy of however.
South Riding does sound interesting.
It is ๐