As theidaughter ofia middle-class parson, Margaret Hale has enjoyedia privileged upbringingiin rural southern England. But when her father uproots theifamily, she isiforcedito adaptitoia new lifeiin Milton -ia northern mill towniin theithroes of theiindustrial revolution.
Margaret isishocked byiher new surroundings. Appalled byitheidirt, noise andigruffness of theipeople of Milton, she saves her greatest contemptifor theimill-owners. When John Thornton, charismatic proprietor of Marlborough Mills, becomesia 'pupil' of her father, she makes her distasteifor this vulgar andiuneducated new class abundantly clear.
Over time, Margaret's attitude towards theimill workers beginsito change andishe joins their workplace struggles against poverty andidisease. But will she ever change her view of theiemployers -iin particular, one who has secretly become her admirer?
