Harrison’s Confessions is fairly short, more like a novella, but was a good introduction to EG’s style. Harrison’s Confessions and My Lady Ludlow. This book actually contains two other works of fiction by Gaskell, Mr. In her memory I suggested to the book club we both attended that we read Cranford and so we decided to have it for our September book. Sadly, mrsgaskell lost her battle with cancer earlier this year and I never had a chance to discuss her namesake’s writing with her. I once asked her which was her favourite and she said she liked all of them but that Cranford might be the best one to start with. It's not hard to see who I like the best, eh? I can't wait to see Simon Woods in another period drama.I’ve been meaning to read something by Elizabeth Gaskell for a long time since my good friend and fellow BookCrosser mrsgaskell really liked her books. John Rivers in 2006's Jane Eyre and he was also in the TV show Party Animals. He's looking pretty snazzy and gentleman-like.Īnd this is Andrew Buchan, who played St. I'm pretty sure this is Greg Wise, playing Lord Charles Maulver. This is like hand and cravat 'porn' (for lack of a better word) put together, haha. 'Simon Woods as the handsome Doctor Frank Harrison' Judi Dench plays Miss Matty Jenkyns, whose hopes and rebellious spirit are crushed when she was forced as a young woman to give up Mr Holbrook (Michael Gambon), the man she loved.Īnd here are some pictures (with lots more here): The arrival of handsome new doctor, Frank Harrison (Simon Woods) from London causes a stir not only because of his revolutionary medical methods, but also because of the effect he has on many of the ladies' hearts in the town.

The railway is pushing its way relentlessly towards the town from Manchester, bringing fears of migrant workers and the breakdown of law and order. First, here's summary of the miniseries, from The BBC: Based on three Elizabeth Gaskell novels: Cranford, My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison's Confessions, this witty and poignant story follows the small absurdities and major tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford during one extraordinary year.Ĭranford in the 1840s is a small Cheshire market town on the cusp of change.

Cranford chronicles