Ode to Period Dramas

In honor of the upcoming release of the new Jane Eyre film, I am paying homage to some of the best historical romance novels of all time. I can't help that I am like nearly every other female who loves a good period drama. They not only give us romance long gone, but also tend to point out what is good in this world. I always get in a good laugh, a good cry, and a good feeling once I read the last page.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Bronte's famous novel about a downtrodden, but spirited governess takes second place in my all-time favorite historical romances. Anyone who has read Jane Eyre knows it is a little darker and a lot more passionate than most of Jane Austen's work. Not only does it tell the story of Jane's love for Mr. Rochester, but delves into themes of independence, forgiveness, moral convictions, social and gender roles, and the part of family or lack thereof. Though hints of the Gothic can be found in Jane Eyre, Bronte was ahead of her time in her writing, her characters, and her themes.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Not only does North and South tell a beautiful love story reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, it includes striking and truthful social commentary on Industrial Age England. Gaskell unflinchingly points out the harshness of working conditions, the poverty of the working class, and the stark contrast between the industrial north and the wealthier south. North and South's heroine, Margaret Hale, is a prime example of  an independent, headstrong, and courageous woman of the 19th century. On a side note, Mr. Thornton rivals Mr. Darcy for his brooding ways and Mr. Rochester for his handsome hardness.




Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Gaskell's second novel on our list is a little lighter than North and South and the love not quite so passionate as that of Margaret Hale and Mr. Thornton. However, it is still a lovely, but long narrative. There are numerous characters, plot twists, and unexpected turns to keep you on your toes and wondering where Molly Gibson will end up.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice needs no introduction or plot summary. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy stand on their own as two of the greatest and most unforgettable characters in all of literature. Their love story is unconventional and nail-biting, but it is Austen's witty commentary on society and its characters that makes this "comedy of manners" one of a kind.

Others Worth Reading: Emma and Mansfield Park by Jane Austen; Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell