Forced to move from rural southern England to the turbulent northern mill town of Milton, Margaret Hale takes an instant dislike to the dirt and noise that seem to characterize her new home and its inhabitants - even the handsome and charismatic cotton-mill owner John Thornton. But as she begins to settle in, events conspire to throw her and Thornton together. Amidst the chaos of industrial unrest, they must learn to overcome the prejudices of class and circumstance and admit their feelings for one another.One of literature's greatest romances, North and South is both an incisive social commentary and an electric portrayal of all-conquering love.With an afterword by Kathryn White.