Cousin Phillis

The novel explores the complexities of adolescence through the eyes of 19-year-old Paul Manning, who befriends his cousin Phillis Holman while adjusting to country life. As Phillis navigates her feelings and societal expectations at the brink of adulthood, the narrative unfolds with a focus on character development and emotional depth. Critics laud it as Gaskell's finest short work and see it as a precursor to her later, more celebrated novel, Wives and Daughters, highlighting its significance in her literary career.