Gaskell's North & South: Britain's Indust Revolution

The novel North & South by British, Victorian writer, Elizabeth Gaskell is NOT about the Amer. Revolution.  Rather, it is about the Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th depicting social stratas of Britain (as in Downton Abbey; early 20th C.)  Gaskell's novel calls for social & relgious reforms.  Her literary prowess led to a strong friendship with Charles Dickens.  During a time of strict Victorian protocols, Gaskell was a pioneer for impoverished factory workers, religious dissenters & women's liberations.  The societal restrictions & limited opportunities for women left little else but to secure a "good marriage."  To "marry for love," was atypical. The heroine's life, Margaret Hale, parallels  Gaskell's life.  Both women were orphaned young, their fathers both ministers & they were raised by their affluent aunts.  North & South is Austen's Pride & Prejudice meets Sinclair's The Jungle.  Both the harsh struggles of the workers & the "idyllic" charmed lives of the upper classes are equally made clear.  This is a turgid historic novel yet prescient for it's clairvoyancy into labor negotiations between workers/management:  "its success necessitate personal intercourse, the formation of a plan as all had borne a part." As for the love interest for Miss Hale, Mr. Thornton is an admirable & misaligned ole chap, but he's no Mr. Darcy; but then who is?  Oh Mrs. Gaskell, you have written a compelling historic novel of social significance.