If you enjoy reading books by Elizabeth Gaskell then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels about strong women overcoming social barriers, you might appreciate Charlotte Brontë. Her classic novel “Jane Eyre” tells the story of Jane, a determined young woman who survives a difficult childhood.
She becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets her brooding employer, Mr. Rochester. Their complex relationship leads Jane to face choices about love, independence, and integrity.
Brontë portrays a vivid world filled with emotional intensity, moral challenges, and memorable characters, set against the backdrop of Victorian England.
Books by George Eliot often highlight ordinary people caught up in deep moral struggles and societal expectations. Readers who enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s depiction of nuanced characters and detailed social commentary may appreciate Eliot’s novel “Middlemarch”.
Set in a small English town during a period of major social changes, the book tells several interconnected stories. At its center is Dorothea Brooke, an idealistic young woman who marries an older, scholarly man, only to find disillusionment.
Throughout the novel, readers encounter intricate relationships, personal ambitions, and quiet yet meaningful moments that shape people’s lives profoundly. Eliot’s insightful exploration of human choices and character development makes “Middlemarch” a timeless read.
Books by Thomas Hardy often explore the struggles and aspirations of everyday people in rural England. If you enjoyed Elizabeth Gaskell’s vivid portrayals of society and the complexity of human relationships, Hardy might also appeal to you.
One book to begin with is “Far from the Madding Crowd.” This novel is set in the English countryside and follows Bathsheba Everdene, a spirited young woman who inherits a large farm.
She quickly becomes the object of affection for three very different men: Gabriel Oak, a reliable shepherd; Farmer Boldwood, a reserved and prosperous bachelor; and Sergeant Troy, a charming but reckless soldier.
Hardy captures rural life and the depth of human emotion with sensitivity. The story blends romance, social observation, and memorable characters who struggle to find happiness amid life’s challenges.
Anthony Trollope was a Victorian novelist known for his realistic portrayal of English society, especially its manners and morality.
Readers who enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s detailed social settings and insight into character relationships may also appreciate Trollope’s “Barchester Towers.”
This novel is filled with a delightful cast of characters competing for power and influence in the fictional English cathedral town of Barchester. The arrival of a new bishop sparks conflicts and humorous rivalries among clergymen, ambitious relatives, and townsfolk.
Throughout the story, Trollope uses wit and insight to explore human nature and social expectations, gently satirizing the Victorian obsession with status and propriety.
If you enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s stories about society, relationships, and a bit of mystery, Wilkie Collins might be a wonderful discovery. Collins was a Victorian novelist who wrote exciting stories full of twists and unexpected turns.
His novel “The Woman in White” blends suspense, romance, and secrets into a memorable read. The story begins with Walter Hartright, a young drawing instructor who meets a mysterious woman dressed entirely in white on an empty road at night.
From this strange encounter, Hartright gets drawn into a complicated world of mistaken identity, deception, and hidden crimes. Collins creates interesting and memorable characters who will keep your attention all the way through.
If you’re a Gaskell fan looking for a gripping Victorian story, “The Woman in White” delivers an exciting blend of mystery and drama.
Books by Charles Dickens often explore Victorian society, class divisions, and human values, themes readers of Elizabeth Gaskell would appreciate. In “Great Expectations,” Dickens introduces Pip, an orphan boy raised by his demanding sister and warm-hearted brother-in-law, Joe.
Pip’s humble life suddenly changes when a mysterious benefactor gives him the chance to leave his rural home behind and become a gentleman in London.
Pip’s journey reveals the harsh realities of wealth, ambition, and lost innocence, wrapped in Dickens’ memorable characters and powerful storytelling style. His experiences challenge readers to reflect on social mobility, class prejudice, and the true meaning of friendship.
Dickens’ storytelling feels deeply human, often emotional, and always engaging, qualities that readers who enjoy Gaskell’s “North and South” or “Wives and Daughters” will likely also find appealing.
Books by Anne Brontë often appeal to readers who appreciate Elizabeth Gaskell’s portrayal of social and personal struggles. Anne Brontë is best known for her thoughtful novel “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”
The story follows the mysterious Helen Graham, a woman who moves into the isolated Wildfell Hall and captures the curiosity of her neighbors.
When Gilbert Markham becomes fascinated with Helen, he gradually uncovers the harsh truths of her past and the reasons behind her guarded nature. Brontë explores serious themes of marriage, independence, and the difficulties women faced in Victorian society.
The book confronts issues with honesty and insight, sharing similarities with Gaskell’s works like “North and South” and “Ruth.”
George Gissing was an English novelist of the late Victorian period known for realistic portrayals of urban life and society’s struggles.
If you enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s insightful look into class and social change, you might appreciate Gissing’s thoughtful novel, “New Grub Street.”
This book follows the lives of struggling London writers Jasper Milvain and Edwin Reardon, two characters facing the harsh realities of literary careers and personal compromise.
Gissing captures the pressures of commercial success, poverty, and artistic integrity, providing vivid insights into Victorian London’s publishing world.
The story explores the human cost of ambition and illustrates the difficult balance between moral ideals and practical survival.
Readers who enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s thoughtful exploration of social dynamics and personal relationships might also connect with Edith Wharton. Wharton was an American author known for sharp societal critique and elegant prose.
Her novel “The House of Mirth” follows Lily Bart, a young woman navigating New York society at the turn of the 20th century. Lily’s charm and beauty place her at the heart of wealthy circles, but limited financial resources push her toward the necessity of marriage.
Her struggle reveals the harsh realities and expectations placed on women in her position. Wharton layers subtle observations of class, morality, and self-awareness in a vivid portrayal of society’s often ruthless treatment of those who stray from expected paths.
Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a popular English novelist of the Victorian era, best known for her sensational fiction full of mystery, crime, and strong emotional drama.
Fans of Elizabeth Gaskell’s gripping narratives and vivid character sketches often enjoy Braddon’s novel “Lady Audley’s Secret.” The book centers on Lucy Audley, a beautiful and charming woman who marries a wealthy older man.
Lucy harbors secrets, and when her husband’s nephew begins investigating a friend’s disappearance, suspicious details surface about her past. The story explores deceit, identity, and the façade of innocence within high society.
Its suspenseful storytelling and intriguing character development can captivate readers who appreciate depth and complexity in Victorian fiction.
If you enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels about family life and society, Margaret Oliphant may be a perfect author for your reading list. Oliphant’s stories offer thoughtful portrayals of Victorian customs, social challenges, and vivid, relatable characters.
In her classic novel “Miss Marjoribanks,” we meet young Lucilla Marjoribanks, a spirited heroine who returns home to manage her widowed father’s household.
With humor and sharp observation, the novel explores social expectations, Lucilla’s amusing attempts to improve the community, and the dynamics of relationships within her circle.
Oliphant skillfully captures small-town life and gently pokes fun at human foibles, creating an enjoyable read familiar to fans of Gaskell’s subtle wit and lively characters.
Readers who enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s thoughtful portrayals of women’s lives in Victorian society may also appreciate Sarah Grand. Grand was an author who tackled social issues and gave voice to women’s experiences during the late nineteenth century.
Her novel “The Heavenly Twins” follows three characters—Angelica and Diavolo, spirited twins questioning conventional roles, and Evadne, a young woman confronting the realities of marriage.
Grand’s clever storytelling confronts the limitations placed on women’s choices, identity, and the meaning of marriage in a society set on tradition.
For readers drawn to stories that explore women’s struggles within their social worlds, Sarah Grand offers a thought-provoking read.
Books by Mrs. Henry Wood offer rich storytelling and deep family dramas set in Victorian times, similar to the novels of Elizabeth Gaskell.
One book worth exploring is “East Lynne,” a story of Lady Isabel Carlyle whose life unravelled through mistaken choices, jealousy, and betrayal. Lady Isabel’s struggle with love, regret, and a hidden identity shapes a narrative filled with family secrets and emotional intensity.
Wood paints strong, vivid characters who face moral dilemmas and personal conflicts, creating stories that resonate deeply with readers who enjoy Gaskell’s novels like “North and South” or “Wives and Daughters.”
Books by Susan Ferrier may appeal to readers who enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s stories of society, family, and character dynamics. Ferrier, a Scottish novelist from the early 19th century, often uses humor and sharp wit to explore society’s conventions and follies.
In her novel “Marriage,” she tells the story of Lady Juliana, a high-society English heiress who impulsively marries a Scottish nobleman. She soon finds herself unhappy in her husband’s austere Highland home.
The narrative then follows her twin daughters, Adelaide and Mary, who are separated as infants: one is raised in sophisticated London, the other in rural Scotland. Ferrier contrasts their vastly different environments, highlighting their distinct personalities and choices.
The result is a humorous and insightful look at marriage, family, and social expectations, themes familiar in Gaskell’s work.
Readers who appreciate Elizabeth Gaskell might also enjoy the novels of Maria Edgeworth. Edgeworth was an Irish writer known for her insightful stories about family dynamics, social conventions, and morality. Her novel “Belinda” explores these themes vividly.
The protagonist, Belinda Portman, is a thoughtful and intelligent young woman who navigates the complexities and expectations of high society.
Through Belinda’s experiences, the book examines relationships, moral choices, and the strength it takes to remain true to oneself amidst social pressure. Fans of Gaskell’s keen observations and character-driven narratives will find “Belinda” equally engaging.