Elizabeth Gaskell 
Mr. Harrison’s Confessions 

Mr. Harrison’s Confessions (1851) is a long story written by Elizabeth Gaskell about a doctor in provincial England. It is notable for being a prequel to her novel Cranford. The protagonist is Charles, a bachelor who wants to win his profound shyness towards women. With the help of his doctor , he will go to Duncombe, a rural town, to woo a woman, but here Charles’ll find a claustrophobic atmosphere caused by intrigues and women of middle age …