Alistair Hardaker
Image: A novel introduction (Elizabeth Gaskell's House)
Manchester house offers wrapped mystery novels as survey shows half of visitors unfamiliar with Victorian writer’s work during literature festival.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is taking a proactive approach to the fact that only half of visitors have read the author’s work.
The former home of the writer, in Manchester, is offering a special ticket that includes a surprise edition of one of Gaskell’s most celebrated novels, wrapped in brown paper.
Visitors who book a special ticket to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester can select a ‘mystery novel’ when entering, as part of Manchester Literature Festival celebrations.
The initiative ties in with the house’s current exhibition, I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell. This explores how three young writers in residence – Georgia Affonso, Princess Arinola Adegbite, and Guruleen Kahlo – have engaged with Elizabeth’s legacy for the first time.
A poll conducted during the exhibition has revealed that approximately half of visitors have not read Gaskell’s work before.
Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd, director of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, said: “Visitors are drawn by Elizabeth’s fascinating life story as a changemaker within Victorian society and the chance to explore Manchester’s only literary house. We understand that – but we also thought this was the perfect opportunity to offer an introduction to her novels. With our special ticket, visitors can now enjoy both.”
A variety of paperback titles include Wives and Daughters, North and South, Mary Barton, Cranford, Sylvia’s Lovers, Ruth and a short story collection.
The special ticket will be priced at £13.50, including entry and novel, and made available to book on open days from Wednesday 15 October until Sunday 26 October. Standard entry is £8.50 for adults and free for children under 16s, when accompanied by an adult.
