Mary Barton

3.8 avg 21961 votes

About this book

Mary Barton, the daughter of disillusioned trade unionist, rejects her working-class lover Jem Wilson in the hope of marrying Henry Carson, the mill owner's son, and making a better life for herself and her father. But when Henry is shot down in the street and Jem becomes the main suspect, Mary finds herself painfully torn between the two men. Through Mary's dilemma, and the moving portrayal of her father, the embittered and courageous activist John Barton, Mary Barton (1848) powerfully dramatizes the class divides of the 'hungry forties' as personal tragedy. In its social and political setting, it looks towards Elizabeth Gaskell's great novels of the industrial revolution, in particular North and South.

3.8 ★★★★☆ average of 3 sources · 21961 votes
Open Library 3.4 5
1★2★3★4★5★
Goodreads 3.8 21961
Apple Books 4.0 65

Reader Profile

Enjoyment75Difficulty100Influence63Popularity51Classic100

3.8/5 · 21961 readers · 387 pages · ≈ 7 h 10 m · Demanding

How long does it take to read Mary Barton?

About ≈ 7 h 10 m — 387 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.Typical novel≈ 5 h 56 mMary Barton~7 h 10 m

How many pages is Mary Barton?

387 pages in its most-read edition.Typical novel320Mary Barton387

What genre is Mary Barton?

It sits on the Philosophy, Fiction shelves.

Is Mary Barton in the public domain?

Yes — it is free to read and share.

Who are the main characters in Mary Barton?

The main characters include Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-1865).

Where does Mary Barton take place?

It is set in Manchester (England), England, Manchester during 19th century.

Who wrote Mary Barton?

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell.

Where can I read Mary Barton online for free?

It is in the public domain — read it free on Open Library

Setting Manchester (England)EnglandManchester Time period 19th century Characters Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-1865)
Mary Barton ★ 3.8 · 3 sources Read free Check price →