In the second chapter of the novel "Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?" the author expresses her point of view saying that Manchester is a good place to be born, a statement which tell us she likes the city.

On the historical point of view, human settlements in Cheshire plain in the south of Manchester were among the earliest in the British Isles.

Manchester is described as a city of contrariness, starting from its location in the south of the north of England. It is both un-metropolitan and worldly. Being located between the Cheshire plain with its civilized settlements and Penninines, where the towns were scattered, it emphazises its double origin and its double rooting. It was radical, repressive, full of degradation but also rich both on the material and the philosophical point of view with the theory of Utilitariansim. It was politically very active with the Women's Social and Political Union of the early 20^th century, with the first Frades Union conference in 1868 and with its influence on Marx and Engles.

The novel was written many years after the Industrial Revolution. Another book that describes Manchester was written  by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835. The two books have very different purposes. Alexis de Tocqueville initially analyzes the landscape of Manchester during the Industrial Revolution, but he focuses more on the situation of poor workers. Moreover, the writer uses phrases such as "the crunching wheels of machinery," "The regular beat of looms" "the heavy rumble of carts" etc. that make the situation more realistic to the readers, almost as if they were actually there.

As regards the technique used, both Jeanettte Winterson and Alexis de Tocqueville directly address to the readers, to make them aware of the situation.

Alexis de Tocqueville describes Manchester in a completely realistic way to make the situation clear to the readers of the time. However, Janette Winterson describes the city from her point of view to underline also her way of life.