Like all of Elizabeth Gaskell's novels, I enjoyed this book very much. "Sylvia's Lovers" is a book set in the late 1790s which was first published in 1863, making it a historical novel. On the surface, this is a story of intertwining love triangles, of unrequited and reciprocated love, and of obsessive love. There is so much more going on here, however, including sociopolitical commentary on the use of press-gangs to fill the Royal Navy's ranks and the conflicts between different social classes. Sylvia's father pays the ultimate price when he interferes in the political sphere by inciting a riot against the press-gang's headquarters at a local inn. He remains proud of his role right to the end, seeing himself as a the hand of appropriate retribution.

Gaskell doesn't shy away from exploring gender roles, either, particularly when it comes to the actions of her main characters. The two men who are in love with Sylvia are portrayed in very different ways, with Charley Kinraid depicted as very masculine, active, and capable, while Philip Hepburn is seen as feminine, hesitant, and emotional. Kinraid captures Sylvia's heart and imagination, while Philip tries to engage her mind and finds only resistance. At the same time, Sylvia herself has very little agency until well after she is married. Her mother models complete obedience and subservience to men, leaving Sylvia with few examples of female self-possession. She does not find her own strength and voice until confronted with the wrong that Philip has perpetrated in the form of Kinraid's return.

Gaskell delves deep in this novel, exploring issues of truth, right versus wrong, good and bad. In many ways, "Sylvia's Lovers" can be viewed as a novel about selfishness. Philip's obsessive need to have Sylvia for his own leads to tragic consequences for many people. Because he absolutely must have her as his wife, he creates a chain of events that spirals downward to his own death and a great deal of loss. Although Philip does have his moment of at least partial redemption, it really feels like too little, too late. By seeking to satisfy his own desire, he shuts out so many possibilities for shining light into others' lives.

"Sylvia's Lovers" is an extremely sad novel. Few good things happen throughout this book, and yet it is an overwhelmingly compelling read. Gaskell creates wonderfully real characters, individuals who are simultaneously good and bad, who make poor decisions despite their best intentions, and who are complex in very believable ways. The reader is led to consider action and consequence, to think deeply about why we make the choices we do and how those choices might be different if we altered our worldview even a little. Written over 15o years ago and set seventy years before that, this book remains relevant and timely because people have not changed and we can recognize these characters and their actions in the world around us.