Åbo Akademis bibliotek

In the quiet stillness of rural England, a shocking act of betrayal shatters the peaceful life of a farming family. The Crooked Branch follows a mother and father grappling with the unthinkable—a beloved son whose greed and selfishness threaten to destroy everything they hold dear. With Gaskell’s masterful exploration of human frailty, this haunting tale reveals the fragile bonds of family and the enduring strength required to face profound heartbreak.

Elizabeth Gaskell [1810 - 1865], born in London, England, grew up with her aunt in Knutsford, just outside Manchester. She later married William Gaskell, who was a pastor in Manchester. Among her circle of friends were Charles Dickens and Charlotte Brontë. Among her most famous works are Cranford and Wives and Daughters.