Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) was a British writer of the Victorian Era. In her works Elizabeth Gaskell portrayed the English society of those times, depicting different classes including the poorest. Her first novel, 'Mary Barton' is centered on the theme of poverty which can lead to rebellion. In her later works the topic of religion is raised and Gaskell believed that tolerance towards all the religions should be practiced. Mrs Gaskell is also known as the author of the biography of Charlotte Brontë. 'The Half-Brothers' was written in 1859 and it portrays a life of a young woman in Victorian Era. As her first husband dies she is left with a little baby. Eventually she meets a rich man who falls in love with her and proposes, promising that neither she nor the child will never be in need of anything. Driven by her financial position the woman agrees to marry the man she doesn't love. Will such a marriage manange to survive? Read this brilliant but rather sad story and you will know!