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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:
Chillywhippet · 15/01/2018 10:32

I think I've got to chapter 22. I kept thinking I'd be past halfway but there are 52 chapters.

So 3 chapters a day for next 10 days should do it.

C'mon what's your target if you've not finished? We can do it Halo

AiryFairy1991 · 14/01/2018 23:18

I’ve also just finished. I loved it from about chapter 30 onwards. Thought it was quite hard work up until then. The characters (especially Margaret as I always loved the Thorntons) really grew on me so I’m glad I stuck it out. Can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts on the 25th!

Macauley · 14/01/2018 22:49

I’m finished too. Glad I stuck with it which I might not have done if it wasn’t for this group.

JuiceInAWineGlass · 14/01/2018 19:35

I’ve just finished it. I found the first part hard going but I really enjoyed the last two thirds of the book. Would recommend Big Little Lies - one of the few things I actually managed to read this year on mat leave...

beachygirl · 14/01/2018 10:09

Just finished North and South and enjoyed it. Started watching the TV adaptation but can't get over it's version of Thornton, but will give it a go as I was interested by the industrial landscape and cotton mill scenes, (filmed in Edinburgh I believe).

Cornishblues · 13/01/2018 21:02

I’d like to join too please. Book group a lovely idea. Have downloaded n&s from project guthenberg.

I’m not sure why I haven’t tried it before! I went through a classics phase as a teenager/student. I think I imagined it would read more like George Eliot (once struggled through the mill on the floss and never again) but as others have said (and I’m only judging from chapter 1) it does read more like jane Austen.

Will do my best to stay off the internet and on the book!

LashingsOfHamAndGingerBeer · 13/01/2018 19:32

Hello! Would like to join too please.

AiryFairy1991 · 13/01/2018 19:05

I’ve still not got round to reading the book but it’s on my list!

desperatelyseekingcaffeine · 13/01/2018 18:24

Love big little lies, the book is great too! Some differences but I really liked the adaptation :)

AiryFairy1991 · 12/01/2018 22:58

@DarthNigel I did the exact same with Big Little Lies. It was too good to split into separate viewings!

DarthNigel · 12/01/2018 20:19

I'm struggling a bit tbh-weird because I usually love period books like this. Not helped because I started watch big little lies on Monday and erm, finished it all last night, so haven't applied myself properly. Back to it tomorrow.

AiryFairy1991 · 12/01/2018 19:01

I’m definitely finding it easier to read the further in I get. I still think some of the conversations are a bit drawn out and I can find myself skipping bits if I’m getting tired. But I’m really enjoying the plot.

ClashCityRocker · 12/01/2018 17:00

I've finished, and found that once I got into it I was really looking forward to sitting down and reading it.

desperatelyseekingcaffeine · 11/01/2018 22:38

I'm finding it a bit easier now, I'm halfway through. Hoping to finish over the weekend. Looking forward to fatherland, I read Enigma years ago and really enjoyed it.

IpanemaChica · 11/01/2018 16:11

Started North and South last night. Only managed 2% Blush. I’ll try to finish it before the 25th.

Original poster
Plentyoffishnets · 11/01/2018 01:23

that's cool about fatherland. I also bought a copy and have it ready to go. about a third of the way through n &s. I'm really enjoying it but am having to re read sections where I'm realising I've not been taking it in.

OP posts:
Chillywhippet · 10/01/2018 22:40

Welcome everyone. It's definitely not too late. We are planning discussion of book from 25th.

Get cracking though as it's hard to skim read Smile

HolyShmoly · 10/01/2018 22:12

Hi, can I join? I've read North and South before, but having re-watched the tv series at Christmas (my god I love Thornton in it) and listening to the Bonnetts at Dawn podcast read-along over the last couple of days I was planning to re-read it again anyway.

I don't think I've read any Richard Harris, so looking forward to that too.

clairethewitch70 · 10/01/2018 22:08

Am I too late to join in? I already have North & South downloaded, but am trying to finish another book first?

endehors · 10/01/2018 22:02

I'm happy with the Richard Harris book, too. I haven't read that one before.

endehors · 10/01/2018 22:01

Here's the original discussion thread. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/3122800-mn-book-group

mamapants · 10/01/2018 21:39

I've never read any Richard Harris so happy to give it a go.

Chillywhippet · 10/01/2018 20:44

Yes. In the beginning of the "where to start?" discussion we looked at books popular on this board and @plenty liked the look of North and South or Fatherland. So we just decided to make a start and see what happened.

I have also bought Fatherland already so would be pleased if we read it but will read it anyway. I guess it would fit plenty's idea of moving through the categories e.g. Classics, modern, non-fiction etc

So it would be good to have suggestions for categories.

We've also had the Essex Serpent and Eleanor Oliphant suggested. I'd be more than happy to read these too.

vdlc · 10/01/2018 17:58

...and I've just seen we are reading Fatherland next, so also purchased that one! Yay! Smile

vdlc · 10/01/2018 17:57

Hi everyone,
I have been MIA for a while but I am back, Book Club was really good for my PPD and I really missed it. I would love to read North and South, I have also purchased the kindle copy for 0.49p! Yay!
Is the old book club not running anymore?
Thanks!
V

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