Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

THIS NOVEL HAS NO ENDING!! Ok, so what it basically boils down to is this...Elizabeth Gaskell died before she could finish the "novel"! (I put this in quotes because this novel was really a set of writings sent weekly into the local newspaper.) The editor on the newspaper finished for her and although I wasn't mad with how it turned out, I was a little disappointed because of his obvious lack of telling a story. He just sort of threw the information out there and it was a let-down. I didn't realize this novel had no ending until I was more than half-way through...Ugh! So, I still recommend it because it is very well written, has a wonderful storyline (reminds me of Jane Austen novels), but realize before you pick it up that you may be let down!

Molly Gibson is 16 when the novel starts out and is the only child of the local Dr. Her mother died when she was young and has been raised by her ever-absent father (because of his profession) and the servants.
She is invited to the Hamleys of Hamley Hall where she is welcomed by Mrs. Hamley, who becomes a substitute mother. Molly becomes friends with the younger son, Roger. She knows that although they are friends, nothing can happen because she isn't a well-enough suited match for the Squire's sons.
As the story evolves, Molly's father remarries and she gains a step-sister.

Through the course of the story you come to realize how many burdens and secrets are placed on Molly's shoulders. Everyone trusts her and therefore, she must "save the world"! You see how she transforms and matures through these trials and is all the better for it at the end.