"I had a feeling that I was in the presence of those who had lived for centuries."

While traveling through the dense forests of France, a pragmatic Englishman named Richard Whittingham loses his way and stumbles upon a mysterious chateau. Inside, he is invited to a grand soirée populated by an assembly of aristocrats who seem strangely familiar. As the evening unfolds, he realizes he is a guest at a living reunion of legendary figures-from a sleeping lady just awakened to a gentleman with a penchant for glass slippers. Elizabeth Gaskell, the celebrated author of Northport and South, trades industrial realism for a sparkling, eerie, and witty deconstruction of the world's most famous folklore.

A Sophisticated Literary Game: Curious, if true is a delight for lovers of intertextuality. Gaskell treats these mythical characters as aging French nobles, bound by the rigid etiquette of the 19th century. Through Whittingham's bewildered eyes, we see how the "happily ever after" would actually function in a society obsessed with lineage, marriage contracts, and social standing.

Gaskell's Hidden Masterpiece: Often overlooked in favor of her larger novels, this story proves Gaskell's immense range. It balances a sense of "Gothic" atmosphere-the dark forest, the ancient house-with a sharp, satirical bite. It is a precursor to modern "fractured fairy tales," exploring the humanity, the vanity, and the lingering magic behind the legends we think we know.

Step through the shadows of the forest and into the salon of legends. Purchase "Curious, if true" today and discover a different side of Elizabeth Gaskell.