Review of Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

I was very surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Based on stories from her childhood in Knutsford Mrs Gaskell through the eyes of her narrator Mary Smith describes Victorian life in the village of Cranford a village dominated by middle aged women with their many social rules. Full of snobbery the book is amusing and moving particularly I thought when describing the kindness shown to Miss Matty when faced with bankruptcy. Surprised it has never been adapted for television.

Tony Riley