Karin is back and in great form as she talks about one of her absolute favourite books from 19th century England.

North and South, written by Elisabeth Gaskell, is a masterpiece of social, economic, political, religious and romantic storytelling. It charts the lives of mainly Margaret Hale, the Thorntons and the Higgins families through the turbulent times of the 1800s during the backlash against the Corn Laws, the formulation of the Anti-Corn League, religious division, social and economic hardship, mass poverty and the industrial revolution.

It is a magical blend of intrigue, international trade friction and love that has mesmerised Karin for years and it is why this is her first choice of book from the era to discuss. Gaskell was not only a fabulous novelist, she had real character. It must be remembered how difficult it was in the ...