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

258 replies

Plentyoffishnets · 31/12/2017 11:06

Hi, lots of interest on a different thread for starting a 2018 MN reading group.
Aim is to read one book a month, finishing by 25th of each month then discussing and selecting the next month's book.
For January we have gone for North and South by Elisabeth Gaskell.
So this thread is for those who want to join in, all are welcome Smile

OP posts:
mamapants · 24/01/2018 08:11

Yes I haveFatherland ready too.

I've seen lots of challenge list, category list type things that might be helpful for selecting future books. There's a list on the Mrs D'Arcy website and a few on goodreads.
Could be helpful to have a category for each month and suggestions based around the category.

Chillywhippet · 23/01/2018 23:08

Just finished. Hooray! Very pleased.
Looking forward to discussing.

Will watch to adaptation.

Have Fatherland ready for February.

Macauley · 22/01/2018 16:59

No captainjackandjill I didn’t really like Margaret’s character at the beginning of the book either. But by the end I did find her likeable.

captainjackandjill · 21/01/2018 22:14

Thanks AiryFairy1991 I was hoping it wasn't just meGrin

AiryFairy1991 · 21/01/2018 20:32

captainjackandjill I disliked her too until about chapter 30 when I started to find her more liakable!

DarthNigel · 21/01/2018 19:32

I've finished and then treated myself to a lovely afternoon on the sofa watching the BBC version. Fallen in love with Richard armitage all over again Smile

captainjackandjill · 21/01/2018 19:17

Just finishing chapter 31, and am warming up to Margaret. Did anyone else have a bit of trouble enjoying her character at first?

desperatelyseekingcaffeine · 21/01/2018 15:45

Finished a couple of days ago. I did find it a bit of a chore at the start but then got into it. If it wasn't for the book club I'd have given up quite quickly. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts from the 25th!

runningoutofjuice · 21/01/2018 14:15

I'm not going to finish in time as only started it this week, have 300 pages to go! Although I've read it before, I can't remember much. I'm enjoying the incidental information e.g. new innovations in milling etc. Haven't warmed to any of the characters yet, but a long way to go, am only up to Mrs Thornton's first visit to Crampton.

mamapants · 21/01/2018 13:01

How's everyone getting on?

greenllicic · 20/01/2018 13:20

Glad I'm not the only one finding it hard going. Think I'm on chapter 12. Iv never read a classic although I read a lot. At the beginning I thought it was difficult to read but I'm enjoying it more now and love her style of writing. My daughter who is studying English lit told me I would find it too difficult but proving her wrong

Chillywhippet · 17/01/2018 08:01

I found it suddenly got easier around chapter 21 I think.

8 days to go !

The paperback I'm reading has gaps between words and exclamation marks. Like this !

stilllovingmysleep · 17/01/2018 07:49

Happy to hear that others are struggling with this too, so far I'm really pushing myself to continue reading it!

DarthNigel · 16/01/2018 20:02

I've got really into the book now-so enjoying it. And looking forward to watching Richard armitage on Netflix when I'm done to boot! It's the gift that keeps giving!

MyOtherProfile · 15/01/2018 21:44

You won't regret it Nameless Grin

Namelesswonder · 15/01/2018 20:04

Thanks Profile, DH away so I will check it out tonight. Research of course.....

captainjackandjill · 15/01/2018 19:43

Me too please! I bought the book about a year ago, but haven't started it yet. This is a great kick in the pants for me to get on itGrin

MyOtherProfile · 15/01/2018 19:11

Nameless it was on Netflix. Not sure if it still is. Worth a watch purely for discussion purposes of course. phwoar

Macauley · 15/01/2018 18:12

Just had to google Richard armitage. How have I never heard of him! Will be watching the tv adaptation now.

Namelesswonder · 15/01/2018 18:07

Hmmmm, where can I find the tv version please? I finished the book so could fit in some tv....

MyOtherProfile · 15/01/2018 17:46

Please can I join? I've read the book and listened to the audio book and watched drooled over Richard Armitage in the mini series.

AiryFairy1991 · 15/01/2018 17:40

I think I’m the only one that mentioned Richard Armitage and I am under 30! He’s so wonderful though I’m sure he would look past the age gap.

Now that I’ve finished the novel I’m rewatching the adaptation and I’m slightly disappointed in what they did to his character. Richard Armitage is faultless of course!

JaimesGoldenHand · 15/01/2018 17:28

I'd love to join. Only just found thread so may not read N&S in time for 25th but I have just finished my last book so there's still time!

Plexie · 15/01/2018 16:57

I know this is Reading Group and not TV-adaptation-group but seriously, 6 pages of comments and only one mention of Richard Armitage??? Are you all under 30 or something?!

JapaneseBirdPainting · 15/01/2018 12:05

Hello! Have been directed here by endehors and would love to join.

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