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Rec'd on 💘 ~SOPHISTICATED~ ROMANCE NOVELS?
WIVES & DAUGHTERS BY ELIZABETH GASKELL
Ok I’ve been thinking about this ask for days now lol and I think this is my answer for you!! It’s a Victorian novel (so written about 50 years after P&P) but set in the regency era like P&P, and it includes more than one romance plot but is also IMO just a fascinating novel about family dynamics and sisterhood/brotherhood and male/female friendships. There are a few twists and even though it’s pretty long, it feels long like an enjoyable miniseries to me because it allows you plenty of time with the large cast of characters. I’ve read it 3 times now and thinking about it in response to your ask makes me want to read it again!
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@thickrimmedgirl
May 30, 2025
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@mattshawsome
Definitely saving this great rec as a near-future read.
May 30, 2025
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@mattshawsome
This is N&S author, right? Watched the N/S miniseries but haven't read the book yet. It keeps appearing on the best books of the 19th century lists so I want to check it out.
May 30, 2025
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@thickrimmedgirl
@MATTSHAWSOME Yes, same author! I actually considered recommending North & South as well, (especially since Thornton is a Darcy-esque character for someone who loves P&P), but to me it’s more of an industrial/social novel than a romance (even though it’s obviously both). N&S is more tragic as well, which you can probably imagine after seeing the miniseries. Both interesting and well-written though!
May 30, 2025
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@thickrimmedgirl
also there’s a fantastic BBC miniseries from 1999 based on the book!
May 30, 2025

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