Loved Cranford. The episodic storytelling works well at creating an idyllic town that feels real; each chapter is like catching up with friends for tea. The characters  are a delight and there is humour and tragedy in equal measures. A great, sentimental and cosy novel. 

It was Cousin Phillis that let me down. A rather typical Victorian tragic love story that just didn’t feel as satisfying. Gaskell has a skill for creating compelling characters, but she just doesn’t give them much to work with in this story.