Anne Isabella Ritchie was an English writer and a central figure of the late Victorian literary scene. Her novels, highly regarded in their time, are perhaps best remembered today for placing traditional fairy tale narratives within a Victorian milieu. She is also noted for her role as the custodian of her father's literary legacy. Ritchie's distinctive voice brought a unique perspective to classic storytelling, making her work resonate with readers.
Gaskell's best known work is set in a small rural town, inhabited largely by women. This is a community that runs on cooperation and gossip, at the very heart of which are the daughters of the former rector: Miss Deborah Jenkyns and her sister Miss Matty.