I’ve been looking for a good book lately, and despite the recommendation for this book by a wonderful friend, I’m still looking. The classic “Cranbrook”, a 19th century British novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, can be used to broaden the vocabulary, and if you stretch yourself, for a few other things as well. While I don’t recommend it as a read, Cranbrook taught, or rather confirmed, for me a few things about life, i.e. the strength of women, as well as the failings of women. Gossip is shown for what it i;, tedious, distracting, deflating, and powerful enough to change the course of a life. One woman who is not at all attractive discusses the non-issue and even gratefulness she has in remaining single, since she had a stable life with her kind father. These days, a woman’s strength, as a single, is often measured by how many successful men she has conquered in bed at the loss of self-worth, rather than how sensible she is. I am happy to have shared in the enlightenment of this frumpy but strong woman, as well as happy to put the book to rest for something with a bit more of a kick.
