A celebration of life, love

‘Two women, two love stories, two centuries apart’. The tagline of Mrs Gaskell and Me aptly sets the tone for this literary memoir. Author Nell Stevens’ PhD — about the community of artists and writers living in Rome in the mid 19th century — intertwines her life with that of writer Elizabeth Gaskell when the latter fled England for Rome and found inspiration and love. The book juxtaposes Nell’s life, and her long-distance relationship with Max — also a writer — with that of Mrs Gaskell’s and her feelings for author Charles Eliot Norton. Nell finds commonalities, a feeling of longing for instance. However, while Gaskell and Norton’s connect intensified creativity, Nell’s falling apart with Max is more of a blessing in disguise.

The fast-paced book, with comic relief in parts, will strike a chord with anyone who has known unrequited love.

Title: Mrs Gaskell & Me Author: Nell Stevens Publisher: PanMacmillan Price: ~750 Shruti Dargan