2018 Reading Group - January: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell - *Spoilers from 25 January*

Sorry also cross posted with the prompts

Hmm. I've never done book club before but happy to break the ice.

I thought prejudice was an interesting theme of the book.

Margaret against John and the North
Mrs Thornton against Margaret
Higgins against Margaret and Thornton

Probably other examples I've missed.

Am I just putting modern values on an old novel or was the prejudice noteworthy even then? I certainly found it very frustrating. I'd add to that an inability to see anyone else's viewpoint. That particularly came out for me in relation to the strike - neither side seemed to be able to see the other's point of view and each was convinced of their own rightness.

Not sure how helpful this is but I'll put it out there.

[Grin]
Massive cross post with mama

Ok here are some prompts but feel free to say what you want or bring in another question

1. Have you seen the BBC mini-series? Is the book anything like you expected it to be?

2. Was there anything that happened that you found surprising or unexpected? Or was everything very predictable?

3. How does Mr. Thornton’s views on the master/worker relationship change? Or. . .did it change? Did your view on this issue change as you experienced this book?

4. There’s much talk about all the deaths in this book. What are your feelings on that? Do you think they were necessary? Or too much?

5. Now that we’ve met Frederick, do you like him? Are you sympathetic to his predicament?

6. Why do you think Margaret refused Henry?

7. What were your first impressions of Mr. Thornton?

8. Why is Margaret so indifferent to Mr. Thornton, but she can make friends with the Higgins? They are both northern people and have different customs.

9. Do you think Mr. Hale was justified in leaving the church and his position?

10. Do you have a favourite quote?

From
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/smilingldsgirl.com/2015/02/04/north-and-south-final-discussion-questions/amp/

Maybe they are a bit essayish might be something better out there

Found these if they are of any use. Just doing bedtime will be back in a bit.

Who changes more by the end of the novel, Margaret Hale or John Thornton? Why?
Why are the chapters before the move to Milton important? What does this backstory add to the plot?
Why did Gaskell call this book North and South? What does the title signify, besides the fact that Margaret moves from the south to the north?
Is Margaret's initial condemnation of John Thornton reasonable, or is her understanding of labor relations naïve? Use examples from the text to support your argument.
If a friend asked you what North and South was about, how would you answer them?
How do Margaret Hale and John Thornton stay the same throughout the novel?
What does all the death in North and South contribute to the plot? How does it build the (surviving) characters?
Why does Mr. Hale decide to leave his home in Helstone? Is it a good reason? Why or why not?

Probably useful to have some prompts.

Wondering if we want questions?

O.k. from 7 but everyone feel free to chip in whenever.
Some posters are running a bit behind

I'm free from about 7 but feel free to start without me

Good question Nigel. What do you think?

What time are we discussing it from :)

Have asked HQ to add "spoilers from 25th January" to the thread title.

I'm looking forward to the discussion.

I'm glad I read it. It was a slog in places, especially when I was tired and it made me think my attention span has shrunk!

Now I want to watch the TV adaptation but I'm reluctant to start as I have these pictures of people and places in my mind which will clash with the TV version. I want to hold on to "my" characters in my mind a bit longer.

Thanks @Macauley! Yes she did get more likeable thankfully.
I finished tonight, and have to say I did enjoy the book very much. Looking forward to the discussion!

My paperback looked a bit thicker than the average book but the text was small so it was long

Thanks @Chillywhippet !

I started a thread.
All suggestions welcome, for categories and books

2018 Book Group list suggestions

Is it worth us all making a few suggestions and saying which genre they are? Then we can put book names into a hat and draw one from each genre for the following months?

Good idea chilly

Let's start a book group book list thread. We can plan the books for the year on there and people can look at it without fear of spoilers.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08h0654 Just found this too. I'm in the hairdressers, so not going to listen now, but could be good.

Hi all,

Was so pleased to see this thread! I thought I'd read N&S before, but it turned out I hadn't. Finished it yesterday. I did cheat a bit on Sunday and listen to someone reading it out on YouTube whilst cooking Sunday lunch. She was American, and did an extremely amusing Irish accent for the Higginses. Was glad it existed though, or I wouldn't have finished it! Looking forward to the discussion, and to watching the adaptation on Netflix!

Is there a list somewhere of each month's books? I've read Fatherland but can't remember any of it so a re-read is in order.

I enjoyed N&S. I will give my full views from tomo so as not to spoil the ending for anyone.