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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:
Original poster
Plentyoffishnets · 02/01/2018 20:51

this is great - I've just counted numbers and looks like there's 43 people on here and 30 on the old thread who haven't made it over here yet!
I ordered my copy off eBay a few days ago and am waiting for it to arrive. Hopefully will get here in time for me to read it.
this group has already given me the kick up the arse that I needed though- I started a book on 31st and finished it early hours of this morning (Insomniac!)
Want to start another but then if n and s arrives I'll feel the pressure!

OP posts:
earlofhell · 02/01/2018 20:34

on it, determined to read more this year.

Forevertimes · 02/01/2018 19:56

Downloaded and about to start.

ClashCityRocker · 02/01/2018 19:50

I'm relieved to find it's very readable!

Thanks for the links given the writer and her work a wider context too - I always find it helps me get more out of a book to read around it as I have a habit of just taking things at face value when reading.

TimbuktuTimbuktu · 02/01/2018 15:55

I'm in. I have read this book a few times but it is a favourite so I will have another read through to refresh my memory.

IrisAtwood · 02/01/2018 15:34

I forgot to add that there is a whole section on North and South too: www.victorianweb.org/authors/gaskell/n_sov.html

IrisAtwood · 02/01/2018 15:33

I am finding this so easy to read. Although its not a thriller it is still compulsive reading.
I also had a look at this website which is fascinating: www.victorianweb.org/authors/gaskell/index.html
So much information about the period and about Elizabeth Gaskell. It has really developed my experience of reading the novel.

OCSockOrphanage · 02/01/2018 15:05

I shall download it forthwith. I have always intended to read Mrs Gaskell and not done so, so thanks for the spur!

HopelesslyHopeful87 · 02/01/2018 14:48

Baby is asleep so just starting now. Love a good classic 😊

busyprocrastinating · 02/01/2018 14:16

Would love to join in please. Have wanted to join a book group for ages but realistically this will be a lot easier. I remember enjoying Mary Barton a long long time ago so will go and download North and South now and get started

nigelschristmasham · 02/01/2018 13:11

Thankyou for directing me to the right place Smile

DorisDay88 · 02/01/2018 12:14

Just downloaded a free version and can't wait to start
Did have a copy somewhere but can't find it so kindle it is despite preferring a paper copy

iloveredwine · 02/01/2018 12:07

just downloaded it. I do read a lot but never the classics even though I studied English literature.

CircleofWillis · 02/01/2018 11:54

Just downloaded on my kindle. Will start tonight.

TillyTheTiger · 02/01/2018 11:51

I'd like to join please. My new year resolution was to have the TV off unless I've planned to watch a specific programme, and to read instead. I loved North and South when I read it about 10 years ago so I will happily dust it off again!

lollipop7 · 02/01/2018 11:44

I’ve ordered my copy and place marking the new thread 😊

Chillywhippet · 02/01/2018 11:04

Thanks Iris.
I need to finish current book first but I should have 3 weeks for North and South which ought to be enough.

IrisAtwood · 02/01/2018 10:47

I’m fine with general comments until the 25th - so nothing specific about the plot until then?

I haven’t included any spoilers in my previous comment.

Chillywhippet · 02/01/2018 09:57

Welcome everyone.

Iris that's a good question about spoilers. I have only read the beginning of your post in case your comments contained a spoiler Grin

Let me know if your comments are spoiler free otherwise I'll wait and look later.

Not sure what others think but I wonder if general comments are fine throughout the month e.g. I love it, It's tripe, It's heavy going and I don't think I'll finish but proper discussion with spoilers should wait until 25th of each month?

Noteventhebestdrummer · 02/01/2018 08:34

I'm downloading the audio version

IrisAtwood · 02/01/2018 08:14

I love 19th century novels and have read many of them, but until last night hadn’t read any Elizabeth Gaskell. Previously my main thought of her was as Charlotte Bronte’s confidant and biographer.

I am really enjoying the novel, especially the feminist themes and the subtle humour. So far she reminds me of Jane Austen, with the domestic setting and feminine perspective. Her subtle identification of the ways in which women are marginalised and rendered silly by their position in society is entertaining and but must have been interesting and confirming to some women reading it at the time.

That Mrs Shaw has such a narrow view of the position of her sister - that as she married for love she cannot possibly want for anything - also highlights that view in society of ‘love conquering all’ and that ‘all you need is love.’ and questions ths idealised view of romantic love. It is equally sad that her sister declines to go to her own daughter’s wedding for lack of a new frock, yet it was done sympathetically. I felt sorry for her, rather than exasperated.

Gaskell’s inclusion of ‘those extra delicacies of the season which are always supposed to be efficacious against immoderate grief’ in Emily’s farewell dinner made me smile and reminded me of Charles Dickens’ skewering of how the wealthy justify extravagence.

I also wondered what do we do about spoilers?

LucyLastik · 01/01/2018 23:01

Have downloaded and about to make a start 😊

OlafLovesAnna · 01/01/2018 21:34

I'm in - it's not something I would usually choose so I'm interested to see if I surprise myself by really enjoying it!

bluedomino · 01/01/2018 21:24

May I join please? I need to read more quality and less quantity. Was this adapted by BBC radio quite a while ago? I seem to remember listening to something very similar.

ClashCityRocker · 01/01/2018 21:09

I've downloaded, it was free on amazon kindle, is that right? Will start later this week.