A moving account of poverty set in 1840s Manchester Gaskells first novelfollows the young and beautiful <strong>Mary Barton</strong> daughter of a factory worke... » 

A moving account of poverty set in 1840s Manchester Gaskells first novelfollows the young and beautiful Mary Barton daughter of a factory worker whois eventually caught up in the class struggle of her time. She attracts theattention of a wealthy millowners son Henry Carson although she soondiscovers her love for the poor hardworking Jem Wilson. When a brutalshooting leaves a man dead Mary must decide if she wishes to help in Jemsdefense for he is accused of the murder and she knows who the real culprit iswith certainty. Gaskell weaves Marys story amidst a moving account of thehardships and grinding poverty of Englands working class. A clear call forincreased communication greater equality between the rich and the poor andredemption is made by Gaskell who is often called Great Britains socialconscience of the Industrial Revolution. «