Wives and Daughters
by Elizabeth Gaskell, Pam Morris
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell, Pam Morris holds a highly rated rating of 4.07 out of 5, based on 32K reader ratings. First published in 1866. The book spans 679 pages.
About Wives and Daughters
Set in English society before the 1832 Reform Bill, Wives and Daughters centres on the story of youthful Molly Gibson, brought up from childhood by her father. When he remarries, a new step-sister enters Molly's quiet life – loveable, but worldly and troubling, Cynthia. The narrative traces the development of the two girls into womanhood within the gossiping and watchful society of Hollingford.Wives and Daughters is far more than a nostalgic evocation of village life; it offers an ironic critique of mid-Victorian society. 'No nineteenth-century novel contains a more devastating rejection than this of the Victorian male assumption of moral authority', writes Pam Morris in her introduction to this new edition, in which she explores the novel's main themes – the role of women, Darwinism and the concept of Englishness – and its literary and social context.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Elizabeth Gaskell, Pam Morris |
| Published | 1866 |
| Pages | 679 |
| Genres | Classics, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction |
| Average Rating | 4.07 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 32,029 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Wives and Daughters?
Wives and Daughters is categorized as Classics, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Romance.
Is Wives and Daughters worth reading?
Based on 32K reader ratings, Wives and Daughters has an average score of 4.07 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is Wives and Daughters?
Wives and Daughters has 679 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote Wives and Daughters?
Wives and Daughters was written by Elizabeth Gaskell, Pam Morris. It was first published in 1866.
What is the ISBN for Wives and Daughters?
The ISBN-13 for Wives and Daughters is 9780140434780.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
