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

Sounds like a plan. Halfway through North And South. Is it definitely Fatherland next? If so could I check I've found the right book! Robert Harris or another author? Thanks.

I think a new thread for each new book would work well.

Should we have a new thread for Fatherland?

I think fatherland was mentioned on the original thread as the February book if that’s still the case?

Should we maybe think of next months book now? That way after the 25th can just be for discussion of North and South.

Just finished when I should have been cleaning. Better get going now. Very much enjoyed it.

Hello, I would like to join in. I bought a copy last year so will try and get it read by 25th! Thanks for the thread, great idea.

Might watch the tv adaptation once I’m finished. Although I’m finding it hard going I am actually enjoying it and look forward to reading it every night once baby is asleep.

I've finished too. I enjoyed it and it was nice to read at a slower pace to absorb it all.

The tv adaption does change some things but it's still enjoyable. It's available on Netflix at the moment if anyone wants to see it.

Just did a quick Google of discussion points and the second site I clicked on was a bit spoilery so probably not a good idea to look beforehand.
Seemed easy enough to find good suggestions though.
Some would have been good to have beforehand so could take notice while reading it.
I have to say I'm enjoying it a lot and quite fancy watching the adaptation again now. Maybe watching the adaptation would motivate those who are struggling a bit.

I should be finished in a couple of days.
How do we come up with discussion points, never been in a book club.
Do you always look at discussion points at the end rather than beforehand?

I'm rather late to the thread but I'd like to join in if I may. I mentioned in another thread earlier that I'm actually rereading North and South at the moment, so would love to discuss. I'm about half way through (48% according to kindle).

I’ve reached Chapter 11 but I’m seriously concerned I’m not going to finish it all in time! I’m in a similar position to a lot of you I think. My DS is 5 months old and since he’s arrived I’ve been reading MN and FB almost exclusively so I’m finding it hard changing to more descriptive reading. I’m a big Austen fan and find the writing similar but a lot more descriptive which is making it more difficult.

I’m also not sure I like many of the characters. I’m hoping that will change as the book goes on.

Some nice ideas here for those of us who are reading time challenged

want to tead more books?BBC

I’m struggling a little with it too. But I think it’s because I’m trying to read it too fast. After a while I get in to it but I have to really slow down to take in what’s happened. Far to used to skim reading so it’s good to slow down.

Just to echo people who are struggling a bit. After being so enthusiastic i almost had a wobbly lip on the first chapter. The text was small and the language dense (but beautiful). I had to reread bits and thought i would fail.

I think my difficulties were:

I have been reading modern, easy to read stuff

My attention span has shrunk due to reading MN

I'm knackered and busy

I just watched Little Women so for the first couple of chapters I saw the characters in America

I am determined to do it. I feel like I'm using a muscle that is really out of condition.

I can't believe it was written in 1852. Amazing. If only the author could have known we'd be reading it now.

Great to see people joining. I think it might be hard for people to manage the discuss in chunks this month but we could perhaps try with another book? Ot would be nice to catch the people who have steadily read it and the people who cram it in the last couple of days.

I'm in. Looking forward to our first discussion.

I read this many years ago. Would love to take the chance to re read. Now where did I put it?!

I'm in! Though I have form for not finishing books. I have a dusty copy of this on shelf never got round to reading
Thanks for the motivation

Thanks - I think it's the slowing my reading down that I'm struggling with. I'm used to reading very quickly so it's a big change. Think it will be good for me though

caffeine how far in are you? I've found it's picked up as I've gone along.
Im finding some of the speech making regarding the Mills a bit long and more as though she is putting them in for her own point making than feeling like real dialogue by the characters.
Love Mrs Thornton though, great character I think.

I'm currently reading it and enjoying it. It definitely helps to read at a slower pace than usual. I'm finding myself quite absorbed with it all and noticing where the tv adaption differs.

@desperatelyseekingcaffeine, When I first started reading Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Henry James I also found it hard going.
I find that slowing my reading down and thinking about the characters and plot really helps. It helps to relax into the book and forget about the next plot development or how many pages you’ve read.