Shirley

A powerful, heartfelt depiction of conflict between classes, sexes and generations, Shirley is the story of struggling, debt-ridden Robert Moore, whose decision to try and save his Yorkshire mill by sacking workers sparks a riot. When Robert considers marriage to the wealthy Shirley Keeldar to solve his financial problems, he discovers instead that both their hearts ultimately lie elsewhere. Charlotte Brontë's strange and beautiful novel brilliantly recreates the world of early industrial Britain, and the shocking impact it had on both landscape and society. It also contains, in the penniless dependent Caroline Helstone, one of most touching and engaging of all nineteenth century portraits of women.