The novel is one of Elizabeth Gaskell's least known works. The novel does seem to show signs of hurry at the conclusion, and Mrs Gaskell's portrayal of Sylvia's lover is so superficial that we find it hard to appreciate the strength of Sylvia Robson's love for him. However, it has also received praise and been compared positively with the writings of George Eliot, particularly Adam Bede.

Sylvia's Lovers (1863) is a novel written by Elizabeth Gaskell, which she called "the saddest story I ever wrote".

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (29 September 1810 – 12 November 1870), often referred to simply as Mrs Gaskell, was a British novelist and short story writer during the Victorian era. Her novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of many strata of society, including the very poor, and are of interest to social historians as well as lovers of literature. Gaskell was also the first to write a biography of Charlotte Bronte, The Life of Charlotte Bronte, which was published in 1857.