The Gaskell Society

Celebrating the life and work of Elizabeth Gaskell

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Knutsford Meeting – April 2023

Tuesday 25 April, 2023, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm BST

£5 – £6

Our discussion series for 2022-23 looks at Wives and Daughters. First published in serial form in the Cornhill Magazine, between August 1864 and January 1866, Wives and Daughters was unfinished when Elizabeth died suddenly in 1865. This is many people’s favourite Gaskell novel, which perhaps shows how her writing was getting better and better. We can only wonder at what she might have gone on to accomplish.

Seventeen-year-old Molly Gibson worships her widowed father. But when he decides to remarry, Molly’s life is thrown off course by the arrival of her vain, shallow and selfish stepmother. There is some solace in the shape of her new stepsister Cynthia, who is beautiful, sophisticated and irresistible to every man she meets. Soon the girls become close, and Molly finds herself cajoled into becoming a go-between in Cynthia’s love affairs. But in doing so, Molly risks ruining her reputation in the gossiping village of Hollingford – and jeopardising everything with the man she is secretly in love with.

In this sixth and final session for the season, Dr Diane Duffy will lead a discussion on the chapters from 50 to the end of the novel.

Read her discussion Points to Ponder here. 

Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm.

Everyone is most welcome. £5 members, £6 non-members


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