La casa del páramo fue publicada como cuento de Navidad a finales de 1850 y, respetuosa con el género, Elizabeth Gaskell compuso una hermosa historia de amor campestre, con un cuadro potente de virtudes y vicios y una apelación al sentimiento de buena voluntad. Maggie Browne, su heroína, vive con una madre indiferente y un hermano ambicioso que la considera una jovencita «enjaulada en el campo, rodeada siempre de la misma gente». Después de luchar por superar las diferencias sociales que la separan de su amor –el heredero de un terrateniente–, se verá empujada a un supremo sacrificio para salvar a su propia e ingrata familia.

At the heart of Gaskell novels is always a remarkable woman. Here, it is Maggie. Slighted by her mother and bullied by her brother, her gentle nature is however appreciated by the Buxton family (though it took a while for Mr Buxton to appreciate her qualities). Underlying the selflessness is stoicism and the courage to stand up to her convictions, supported by faith in God. Definitely qualities worth emulating. ( )

Demasiado cursi y sensiblero, con personajes maniqueos que se hacen inaguantables e increíbles: el mal absoluto o la bondad ínfinita no existen, lo mismo que las personas no son absolutamente aborrecibles o adorables en su trato diario.
No dudo que la autora tenga obras mejores, pero para mí esta es insufrible. ( )

This novella was first published in 1850. The story is set over a period of about 12 years.

It features two families, one of which lives in Moorland Cottage. The household consists of a widow, her young son and daughter, and an old servant. The late husband/father used to be friends with the more wealthy Mr Buxton, who lives with his invalid wife, his son, and his niece. Because of the former friendship with the widow's late husband, Mr Buxton occasionally visits the poorer family and invites them to his house.

The widow is one of these superficial prude-types, who dotes over her son, while her daughter can do nothing right. As a result, the son grows evermore selfish whilst the daughter strives to be her best, despite receiving no praise from her mother, and being treated like a servant by her brother. Luckily the Buxton family can see things as they really are.

At times I felt a little bored by long-winded descriptions, but in the main I found this to be a well-plotted piece that displays Mrs Gaskell's talents at creating believable characters. ( )

In Gaskell’s classic novel, she has created a family with complicated family dynamics which she expertly weaves around the mores and social problems faced by all Victorian women while emphasizing their strength and grace.

Beautifully written. ( )