FAITH AND FEARLESSNESS, A NEW SEQUEL TO GASKELL'S NORTH AND SOUTH - AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Faith and Fearlessness is a new, stand-alone sequel to Elizabeth Gaskell’s masterpiece, North and South, one of my best favourite novels ever. I’ve read a few sequels and rewrites before, but when a review copy of Faith and Fearlessness was offered to me, I was immediately triggered by its premise, which made it different from the ones I had read which took the narration over where Mrs Gaskell interrupted it or proposed a variation to the original plot. Actually, at first, that same premise had me both puzzled and curious to discover more. Why puzzled? The book blurb immediately revealed that John Thornton, the Victorian mill owner protagonist of Gaskell’s novel, is left a broken man after the death of his wife Margaret and a new love interest is on his horizon. Now, that took me a while to digest, but when I started reading the book and I found myself back to Manchester (Milton in North and South), years  had  passed from Mrs Gaskell’s lovely ending and everything sounded and looked plausible thanks to M.G. Thomas‘s writing style, which was captivating and fast-paced.

 

Ready to discover more about Faith and Fearlessness? Here are my questions to the author and her answers. If you have more questions for her, please leave them in the comment section.

NORTHERN RAIN BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY - NICOLE CLARKSTON, THORNTON MEETS MARGARET AT HELSTONE

Are you a North and South fan like me? You can't miss this new variation by Nicole Clarkston! Read the vignette she has gifted us with and get your chances to win a copy in the rafflecopter form below. Enjoy reading and ... good luck!

The following is a very nascent idea which popped up in the initial story development of Northern Rain. It did not survive long- it is fanciful and not at all plausible, but it was a fun, romantic concept to return to for the afternoon. In North & South, both Thornton and Margaret pay visits to Helstone, but at different parts of the story. This short vignette explores the very unlikely possibility that their visits might have coincided. We find Margaret just as she learns she is to be an heiress, and John as he is pining for the woman he never expects to see again. One wonders if they would even need words, after so unexpectedly happening upon one another in such a remarkable setting.

 Nicole Clarkston

The Rejected Scene

“Margaret, my dear, are you well?”

The young woman’s eyes had become somewhat glazed, and she appeared quite out of breath as she sat sedately by the old man’s side. She gasped, still in shock. “You cannot leave me everything, Mr Bell! Surely, there is some other, someone who might know what to do with it all!”

Thomas Bell laughed softly and patted Margaret’s hand as they sat together on their makeshift bench. “No, Margaret, there is not. You and Frederick are all I have left, and he is quite well taken care of. My wish, my dear, is that you will make better use than I did of everything I leave to you. I have no doubt that you shall bestow your goodness on those- or perhaps on one at least- who is deserving of your care.”

She shook her head, still dazed. “But it is so much,” she objected humbly. “Surely, there can be no need for you to sign it all over now. What about you?”

“Never fear, my child.” Bell allowed his gaze to drift over the simple stone cottage which had once been his old friend’s parsonage. Even the picturesque little Helstone home lacked the serenity of former days, and, like his dear friend Hale, Bell had found that the world no longer had a place for him. He sighed, blinking, then looked back to Margaret.

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY, NORTH AND SOUTH!

Can a TV series touch your heart and change your life? Nooo? You can only say that if  you haven't seen this one. I would have answered "no" myself before watching  it  by chance  a  few years ago. Unbelievable but true, this is what this miniseries did to thousands of viewers all over the world. If I had only suspected what a turning point   BBC NORTH AND SOUTH, would be in my life... I would have watched it earlier! Instead, I discovered  it only in the summer 2008 and it , incredibly, actually changed my life.
Exaggerating? Not a bit. I know the same happened to so many! Which other costume series had such an extraordinary response? Pride and Prejudice 1995, of course. But not many others.

Enthusiastic fans, hundreds of them, overwhelmed the BBC Drama message boards with messages about the series and,  in particular, its hero. Soon the BBC had to set up a separate message board for the discussions. The phenomenon of so many women taking to an Internet message board for the first time because of their love for this programme became the subject of an article by Anne Ashworth in The Times. She wrote: 

The BBC Drama website contains the outpourings of hundreds of thirty and fortysomething women for this year’s romantic hero. He is John Thornton, the northern millowner in Mrs Gaskell’s North & South, recently serialised on BBC One. Thornton was played smoulderingly by the previously little-known Richard Armitage as a blue-eyed, dark-haired stunner, the Darcy de nos jours. On the messageboard, character and actor merge into one object of desire: RA/JT (from http://www.richardarmitageonline.com/) 

TRUDY BRASURE: JOHN THORNTON, A PASSIONATE HERO - GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY

John Thornton: “One word more. You look as if you thought it tainted you to be loved by me. You cannot avoid it. Nay, I, if I would, cannot cleanse you from it. But I would not, if I could. I have never loved any woman before: my life has been too busy, my thoughts too much absorbed with other things. Now I love, and will love.But do not be afraid of too much expression on my part.” ― Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South

Maybe not the most romantic words you'd expect from a gentleman, but so passionate! Don't you agree?
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Both to those of you who still believe this is a very special day to live with very special ones and to those who sneer and smirk at the thought of chocolates and flowers, candles and flirting or alike. 

Leave it or take it, this is our Valentine's post and for us today it is an occasion more to celebrate romance and passion. Why should we skip the chance? 

Author Trudy Brasure is my very special guest with a blog post dedicated to our (mine and hers) favourite love story, North and South,  and its hero, our dream Valentine, Mr John Thornton. Read her piece and take your chances to win a paperback  or ebook copy of  her latest retelling, In Consequence. 

CATE TOWARD, MASTER OF THE MILL - A NORTH AND SOUTH VARIATION

Hello there! I’m Cate Toward, I’m a Brit, and the mum of two pretty damn amazing thirty something’s. I’m also the soppy housekeeper to aging Jack Russell’s. I got divorced twenty odd years ago, but my parent’s marriage taught me there is such a thing as romance, I just haven’t been that lucky, but the ‘trying’ has had its moments…

When I got my ‘adult’ library ticket at eleven, my father recommended the historical novels of Jean Plaidy. I read about Catherine de Medici, Lucrezia Borgia, and Catherine Parr. When I eventually ran out of JP titles, I discovered Frank Yerby, and life was never the same.

Now, when I read a book I want everything, I want to see life, I want people I can identify with, in situations that test them, I want to share their adventure, that’s what I try and write.

I wrote a North and South variation, Master of the Mill,  that Maria Grazia thought you may appreciate. That's why she invited me here.  I've got a little present for you. I hope you'll like it! 

Cate

GUEST POST - DAMARIS OSBORNE ON WRITING PARODIES AND LOVING RICHARD ARMITAGE

Richard Armitage as John Thornton in North and South

Richard Armitage fans who are familiar with C19 will not need any introduction for today's guest at FLY HIGH! Damaris Osborne is well known to them. For all the others dropping by and reading, I'll   invite them to read her guest post and welcome her to our little corner of the blogosphere. She loves writing parodies and spoofs inspired byi the works of our favourite British actor and would like to share her passions with us.

I began writing parody when at university, but I have to say it has rather a bad press as a genre, being treated like puns as rather ‘cringe worthy’.  I think that one needs to like the work being parodied, otherwise it becomes unsympathetic and snide.. It can also be seen as ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ of other people’s success.  However, I believe it can be more ‘original’ and draw in a multitude of threads to make it stand alone fiction, although the sort one dips in and out of for five minutes at a coffee break rather than become absorbed in for three hours solid. Like rich chocolates, parody is best sampled, and savoured, not scoffed.I am a member of the C19 forum, which sprang from the  2004 television adaptation of North  & South, and where discussion of nineteenth century literature rubs shoulders with admiration for the work of Mr Richard Armitage. He is an actor of wonderful nuance, and has the ability, first said about Greta Garbo, to drag you into the soul of the character through the eyes.

VICTORIAN HEROES: MR MORAY vs MR THORNTON

Too great a temptation. Comparing them, I mean.  I was thinking: what about making  them compete in a challenge?  John Thornton from Milton, the hero of BBC North and South (2004) facing Mr John E. Moray from BBC The Paradise (2012). But what kind of a competition? Kind of “who makes more money in given time”? The  two men are quite competitive, as a matter of fact.  However, since I couldn't find any good idea for a competition, what about simply comparing them? Without even asking you to choose who’s better  or to pick up a favourite. Well, you can do that, if you wish, of course. Just choose your champion and tell us in your comments. As for me,  I won't do that, I’ll just draw a comparison between the two characters trying to point out  similarities and differences. Don't ask me to choose. 

AUTHOR GUEST POST: CHRISSIE ELMORE, SO YOU WORK IN A COTTON MILL ...

Chrissie Elmore is my guest again  here at FLY HIGH   after her interview about Unmapped Country, her  continuation of Mrs Gaskell's North and South.  She accepted to share some of the information she found researching the context of her book: the world of the cotton mills in Victorian England. Read her interesting post and don't forget to check out her book!

*******

So You work in a Cotton Mill ... by Chrissie Elmore

‘So you work in a cotton mill?  Now don’t you complain about getting up at 5am. In 1851 with everyone flooding into Manchester for jobs and starving Irish undercutting the wages, you’re the lucky one. At least it means your family has a roof over their heads.

I know running home for a cup of tea and piece of bread at 8am hardly seems worth it when you only have half an hour but at least it will keep you going until 12, then you can share a nice bowl of potatoes with those tiny pieces of bacon fat. Yes, it’s boring when you’ll get exactly the same for supper when you’re shift ends at 8pm, but let’s face it, your Ma wouldn’t know what to do with anything else if she could afford it – she went into the factory when she was six.

Oh, and try and use the privy at the mill – you don’t want to go near the one in the corner of the court that hasn’t been cleared for months.’

UNMAPPED COUNTRY BY CHRISSIE ELMORE - GIVEAWAY WINNER

Unmapped Country has arisen great interest among FLY HIGH  readers who love Mrs Gaskell's North and South and wish to go on following Margaret and John's story with new emotions, twists and turns. Thanks to Chrissie Elmore who gave me the chance to read her continuation of the novel  and then accepted to answer my questions and be my guest.

Now it's time to reveal the name of the lucky winner of the free e-copy of Unmapped Country and I hope all the others wishing to read Chrissie's novel will manage get their own copy soon.

Congratulations to...  lilianschild!!!

Read my interview with Chrissie Elmore

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY - CHRISSIE ELMORE, UNMAPPED COUNTRY. MRS GASKELL'S NORTH AND SOUTH CONTINUES.

  North and South 2004 - www.richardarmitagenet.com

A new variation of Mrs Gaskell's North and South has been written and released on Amazon Kindle Store and could I resist? No, of course! So I read it, wrote a short review you can find HERE, and finally send my interview to the author, Chrissie Elmore, who kindly took the time to answer. Read the post, leave your comment or a question for my guest, add your e-mail address and get the chance to win a kindle version of UNMAPPED COUNTRY. (N.B. If you don't have a kindle reader, check the link on my sidebar for downloading free Kindle for PC, iPad or smartphone)  The giveaway contest is open internationally and ends on 5th September when the name of the winner will be announced. 

Welcome to FLY HIGH, Chrissie! My first question for you is when did you first read Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South?

I first read Mrs G in my early twenties. Revisited after the TV mini series and numerous times during writing Unmapped Country. Wives & Daughters and Mary Barton followed.

What did you especially like in Mrs Gaskell’s novel?

The 'will they, won't they?' of the love story and the development of the characters would captivate anyone, but for me the real draw was the time and place. The frenetic atmosphere of Manchester in the middle years of the Industrial Revolution; the opportunity for anyone with drive and intelligence to rise to the challenges and make their mark; to contribute to the massive social changes which were to lift people from poverty and ignorance – this is what inspired me and why I  identified more with Thornton than any other character.

QUICK, LIGHT, ROMANTIC SUMMER READS: IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN AND UNMAPPED COUNTRY (THE STORY OF NORTH AND SOUTH CONTINUES)

In A Class of His Own by Georgia Hill
I am used to seeing gorgeous male teachers, well they are often gorgeous on TV, especially in American  series! Only ... I have been a teacher for such a long time now and 1. men teaching as their profession are very rare beings (the great majority of teachers are female in Italy) 2. handsomeness is not the most common peculiarity in teachers (writitng female one included).
So when Georgia Hill was my guest and I posted the cover of her latest book, In a Class of His Own, I immediately became curious to discover more about the good-looking bloke featured on it. "A gym teacher, I bet" was my first thought. But no, I was wrong. The man in question was the headmaster! "I must read it!" was my second thought.

Synopsis  (from Amazon.com)
Forsaking the bright lights of London, Nicky Hathaway comes to live and teach in a sleepy Herefordshire town. She’s expecting the quiet life but then Jack Thorpe takes over as her headmaster...
Nicky is a woman who won’t take no for an answer and soon all sorts of sparks are flying between her and the implacable but gorgeous Jack. But, is it hate or love that’s growing between them? And just what is Jack’s big secret?

TRANSLATING MRS GASKELL'S NORTH AND SOUTH FOR ITALIAN READERS - INTERVIEW WITH LAURA PECORARO

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell has its first Italian translation at last! It was published by Jo March Agenzia Letteraria in November 2011. I'm proud to own a brand new copy thanks to the publishers,  which I soon added to my Gaskell shelf,  and I'm proud to introduce you the translator of this amazing classic novel: Laura Pecoraro. You know how much I love this work and how much I wrote about it (and about the TV adaptation and a few sequels  as well) both here on FLY HIGH and on LEARN ON LINE. I actually dreamt of translating it myself  - but never felt quite good enough - because I thought it was so unfair Italian reades couldn't enjoy such an interesting literary work. This is why I'm really grateful to the publishers and the translator for their efforts. Not for myself, of course. But for the millions of potential readers out there. I hope they won't miss the chance!

Here we are, then. Meet Laura Pecoraro. Read our chat about Nord e Sud, its themes and characters, and especially about  the difficult journey toward a good translation. Enjoy!

FANSTRAVAGANZA 3 - FINAL POST: NORTH & SOUTH FAN FICTION -DOUBLE REVIEW, DOUBLE GIVEWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

FanstRAvaganza 3 has come to its finale - It's been an amazing week, an event full of enthusiasm and creativity dedicated to Richard Armitage, his talent and his past and upcoming works. 

My final post is again in the Fanfic trail. Below you'll find my review of Trudy Brasure's A Heart for Milton and of Catherine Winchester's Northern Light as well as the announcement of the names of the winners in the giveaway contests linked to my interviews with the authors (HERE and HERE).

Don't forget to check the latest posts in this trail of the FanstRAvaganza by Fedoralady, JoAnn and Gratiana Lovelace.

Till next year then, for an even greater celebration following  the release of the first Hobbit movie. More RA - dedicated posts coming soon on FLY HIGH!

FANSTRAVAGANZA 3 : CATHERINE S. WINCHESTER, NORTHERN LIGHT. INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to my new post in the Fanfic trail for the FanstRAvaganza 3. Ready to discuss North and South, Mr Thornton and Margaret's love story, with a great RA admirer who is also the author of a sequel of Gaskell's novel? Catherine (Cat) S. Winchester is my guest and has accepted to answer some questions about her Northern Light, and to discuss her vision of North and South with us. 

Leaving your comment + e-mail address you can win an e-book copy of the book. 

Welcome back to FLY HIGH, Cat, and thanks a lot for accepting to answer my questions about your sequel of North and South.  First of all, is there any particular reason  for the title you’ve chosen,  Northern Light?

I wanted to keep the connection with 'the North' of the novel but originally this was titled Northern Exposure, supposed to convey how Margaret had been changed by her time in the North.

FANSTRAVAGANZA 3: TRUDY BRASURE, A HEART FOR MILTON. AUTHOR INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to FanstRAvaganza #day3!  This post is in the Fanfic Trail. If you've missed the previous posts check Jo Ann, Mr John Thornton, Fedoralady. Today you'll find Fanfic for FanstRAvaganza also at Cat Winchester's Blog. 

What follows is my interview with Trudy Brasure, the author of A Heart for Milton, a sequel of North and South by Mrs Gaskell. There's a giveaway linked to this post. Leaving your comment + your e-mail address,  you'll get  a chance to win a paperback copy of the book. On March 18th, on the last day of the FanstRAvaganza,  the name of the winner will be announced. Enjoy our chat and  ... 

Good luck! This giveaway is open worldwide.

Interview with Trudy Brasure

First of all, Trudy, when did you decide to write your sequel? Was it after reading North and South or after watching the series? Also, your story starts as a ‘what-if’ and proposes some changes to Gaskell’s plot. Can you tell us a little about that?

I happened upon the miniseries quite by accident, and was utterly captivated by the whole story, but especially by Richard’s performance. I sought out Gaskell’s book very soon after, having never heard of her before. It’s now my secular bible! I couldn’t stop thinking about the adaptation those first few months, especially the agonizing goodbye scene

THE TWO WOMEN IN MR THORNTON'S HEART - JOIN ME AT MELANIE'S MUSINGS FOR THE NORTH AND SOUTH CELEBRATION

Re-reading North and South or re-watching the TV series (BBC 2004),  I can never avoid figuring out the dreaded event, pushing myself  a step ahead the words “the end “.  By dreaded event, I mean the meeting between  Margaret Hale and Hannah Thornton as John’s wife-to-be and mother-in-law to be.  Not an enthusiastic one, I guess, with poor embarassed John between them hoping they could get on well together somehow for his sake. 

I've written a guest post about "The Two Women in Mr Thornton's Heart" for  A North and South Celebration , the event celebrating Mrs Gaskell's novel at Melanie's Musings this week.

I'll wait for you there, then. Join the discussion and contribute your opinion, if you feel like doing it. Melanie and I will be glad to read your comments. 
- How do you imagine their first meeting as in-laws to be?

- Do you think young and old Mrs Thornton will get on well together? 

- Will they leave apart their pride and their strong temper for John's sake? 

- Can the love they share for him lead them to love each other?

Click and read my guest post

MY LESSONS ON NORTH AND SOUTH - IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN

It's that time of the year again, when in my lessons to my older students in their  final year at school, I introduce the Victorian Age and read pages from novels I deeply love. This year I've decided to work on short module dedicated to the Industrial Novel (or social-issue novel) including Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton and North and South, Charlotte Bronte's Shirley and Charles Dickens's Hard Times.

I've posted two lessons with notes, videos and analysis about North and South in the latest days and we have worked in the lab with two of my classes.

They seemed quite interested, the reactions were warmly positive. They particularly appreciated my visual aids: clips from BBC series with Mr Armitage and Ms Denby-Ashe. Now these materials (links below) should help them to study and revise at home. If you want to have a look, promise, no tests for you!

1. Elizabeth Gaskell and the Industrial Novel: Mary Barton (1848) 
2. Studying and Watching North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1855)
3. Masters & Workers. Mr Thornton and Nicholas Higgins, the ideal relationship according to Mrs Gaskell

MARGARET HALE THORNTON AND HER SECRET DIARY - SECOND GUESTPOST BY TRUDY BRASURE + GIVEAWAY

                                            Tuesday  May 29, 1852

Mrs. Thornton and I had our first argument today. Well, perhaps it was not quite an argument, but I did speak quite adamantly when she spoke so unfavorably of John’s accomplishment in providing a workers’ kitchen. I must try to keep my voice more tempered when others do not see things as I do.

Fanny came to tea this afternoon and tried to offer me marital advice! It was all I could do to keep my composure. She has obviously quite a different marriage than I.

She reminded us all of the Milton ball which is forthcoming. John was fortunate enough to escape our little gathering before she graced Mrs. Thornton and I with all the myriad details of preparation for such a social enterprise. The Milton Ladies Society was very astute to have put Fanny on the planning committee, as she seems to have a very fine head for every last arrangement.

MARGARET HALE THORNTON AND HER SECRET DIARY - GUESTPOST AND GIVEAWAY BY TRUDY BRASURE

Dear friends of Fly High, especially you who like me love Mrs Gaskell's North and South, are you ready for a great couple of posts? Have you ever wondered what Margaret and John's married life could be like? Maybe you can have a glimpse on their happiness. How? Today and next Wednesday November 23 I'll have the honour to publish here on my blog two very confidential pages from Margaret Hale's - well Thornton's - Secret Diary. The first page, the one you are going to read today, was written soon after her honeymoon with John. I know, I know, I too envy her a lot. What a lucky young woman! I'll leave you to her words. For our eyes only.  Oh! And by the way, 

1. There's a giveaway linked to this series of posts. Read the details below.

2. If  you've got questions for Margaret, please, leave them here in your comments. She's ready to answer.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR THORNTON BY CATHERINE WINCHESTER + GIVEAWAY OF NORTHERN LIGHT

Catherine Winchester met Mr John Thornton for this interview soon after his marriage to Miss Margaret Hale.

Catherine Winchester: Mr Thornton, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. I know you're a busy man.

John Thornton: It's my pleasure, Miss Winchester. What can I do for you?

CW: Straight down to business I see.

JT: [Abashed smile] Generally speaking, I don't have much time for small talk.

CW: No, of course not. So, [Looks at notebook] you and Margaret Hale are married. I have to say you surprised a few people with that one.