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North and South, 75%

The political to and fro has sadly faded away, and the novel has taken a decidedly soap opera turn. The strike loses its impetus when the strikers engage in violence and lose sympathy. (Margaret, standing next to Thornton, is hit in the head by a stone.)

Bessy dies--consumption.  Margaret then stands up to Bessy's father as he is out to get drunk. Instead of drinking, she brings him to her father.  Dual therapy session--talking about the existence (or not) of God is good for both.

Mrs. Hale (Maria) dies just after son Frederic (mutineer, in danger of hanging if caught) returns for a farewell.  Frederic is spotted by a drunken louse he used to know.  Frederic shoves the louse, jumps on the train.  Louse--sick already--dies!  Margaret had accompanied Frederic to the station and now must lie tot he investigator.  John Thornton, unbeknownst to her, saw her with her brother.  He thinks the brother is actually a lover (naughty Margaret), but he still loves her and does what he can--without her knowledge--to protect her.

Lawyer Lennox is back in the picture. Maybe he can get the mutineer brother a reprieve.

Father is just plain depressed and can barely get through the day.  Not too many characters suffering from depression in Victorian novels.

So, all in all, not as good as it was but still very enjoyable.

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