The Grey Woman and other Tales

This collection was a mixed bag -- a couple of European Gothic stories, a couple of moralizing tales, and one set of anecdotes about people disappearing. "The Grey Woman" was the best of the collection but except for the last one ("Disappearances"), I liked them all.

The middle stories ("Libbie Marsh's Three Eras", "Christmas Storms and Sunshine", "Hand and Heart" and "Bessie's Troubles at Home") I found reminiscent of Gaskell's American contemporary Louisa May Alcott. These stories are much what I had anticipated Gaskell's short fiction to be. The first three stories were unexpected in both being set in Europe and in style. I am curious now to read some more of her short stories!

This collection was a mixed bag -- a couple of European Gothic stories, a couple of moralizing tales, and one set of anecdotes about people disappearing. "The Grey Woman" was the best of the collection but except for the last one ("Disappearances"), I liked them all.

The middle stories ("Libbie Marsh's Three Eras", "Christmas Storms and Sunshine", "Hand and Heart" and "Bessie's Troubles at Home") I found reminiscent of Gaskell's American contemporary Louisa May Alcott. These stories are much what I had anticipated Gaskell's short fiction to be. The first three stories were unexpected in both being set in Europe and in style. I am curious now to read some more of her short stories!

Having read half of these stories in other collections, I only read the four from this one that were new to me.

'Bessy's Troubles at Home' revolve around a fatherless family of six children and an ailing mother. When the mother is sent - on doctor's advice - to Southport for three weeks, fifteen-year-old Bessy is left in charge of the house. She has two older brothers who have to work. The other three are younger than Bessy. Her troubles emerge from her plans to please everyone in ways that suit *her* rather than appealing to her siblings. This is a story about caring for others and being selfless.

'Libbie Marsh's Three Eras' is about a plain-looking orphan girl who moves into a family home as their lodger. She notices a young lad living show more in the house opposite, suffering with some sort of illness. The lonely girl makes up her mind to befriend the boy.

'Hand in Heart' covers two years of Tom Fketcher's life, beginning when he's eight years old. His loving mother teaches him to be kind towards others. Tom takes this advice to heart and makes it his mission in life to be as helpful and humble as he can.

'Christmas Storms & Sunshine' features two couples who live close to each other and do not get along well. An incident with a cat causes animosity between the two women. It takes a more serious incident concerning one of the couples' baby to uncover the true nature of the two rival wives.

Of the other four tales that I read some time ago, I remember that 'The Grey Woman' was one of Mrs Gaskell's most original works, featuring two women donning disguises and going on the run from a dangerous husband.

'Disappearances' is probably one of Mrs Gaskell's least interesting works - in my opinion - and I remember little about it.

'Curious if True' features some sort of party where all guests have featured as characters in various nursery rhymes.

'Six Weeks at Heppenheim' - can't remember much about this one, other than it features a gentleman staying at an inn (I think) for six weeks (of course), owing to him being ill or injured. show less

Two women, dressed as men, try to escape an abusive husband.