''Cousin Phillis' ''is a novella published between 1863 and 1864 by

Elizabeth Gaskell Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (''née'' Stevenson; 29 September 1810 – 12 November 1865), often referred to as Mrs Gaskell, was an English novelist, biographer, and short story writer. Her novels offer detailed studies of Victorian era, Victoria ...

. It was first published in four parts in ''The Cornhill Magazine'', though a fifth and sixth part were planned. Later it was published in book form, including an edition in 1908 with illustrations by Mary Wheelhouse. The story is about 19-year-old Paul Manning, who moves to the country and befriends his mother's family and his (second) cousin Phillis Holman, who is confused by her own placement at the edge of adolescence.' Most critics agree that ''Cousin Phillis'' is Gaskell's crowning achievement in the short novel. The story is uncomplicated; its virtues are in the manner of its development and telling. ''Cousin Phillis'' is also recognized as a fitting prelude for Gaskell's final and most widely acclaimed novel, '' Wives and Daughters'', which ran in ''

Cornhill Magazine ''The Cornhill Magazine'' (1860–1975) was a monthly Victorian literature, Victorian magazine and literary journal named after the street address of the founding publisher Smith, Elder & Co. at 65 Cornhill, London, Cornhill in London.Laurel ...

'' from August 1864 to January 1866. In 1982 a

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

television adaptation '' Cousin Phillis'' starring Anne-Louise Lambert, Tim Woodward and

Ian Bannen Ian Edmund Bannen (29 June 1928 – 3 November 1999) was a Scottish actor with a long film, stage and TV career. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Academy Award for his performance in ''The Flight of the Phoenix ( ...

Characters

* Paul Manning (the narrator, Phillis's cousin) * Mr Manning (Paul's father and inventor) * Mr Edward Holdsworth (railway engineer) * Mr Holman (independent church minister and farmer) * Mrs Holman * Miss Phillis Holman * Mr Ellison (Mr Manning's business partner) * Miss Lucille Ventadur (at last Mr Holdsworth's wife) * Betty (the servant at Holman house)

Style

''Cousin Phillis'' resists categorisation to a certain extent, being situated between a short story and a novel. This was a rare form in Victorian fiction, but one favoured by Gaskell. The piece is a presented in a remembered form mimicking an anecdote. Set in the 1840s, it deals with themes of social change in an isolated rural community that is reflected other works such as '' Cranford'' or '' North and South''.

References

Notes

External links

* 1864 short stories Short stories by Elizabeth Gaskell {{story-stub