New Year, New Fallen Woman: Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth Readalong

I also enjoyed the descriptive opening. I like it when I need to stop to look up the meaning of a word (in chapter one's case it was 'oriel'!).

I agree, much of the joy of reading Gaskell's novels is the social history you learn along the way. (Not that they're not good stories too of course.)

Got a bit distracted and read into chapter 2. It's pretty good so far. Got me thinking about how much social stuff Jane Austen and even Charlotte Brontë just leave out of their stories.

My first readalong - looking forward to joining you all.
Interesting first chapter, agree regarding Jenny!

Jenny seems a good friend. I hope that the cough isn't a portent of what is to come.
I think it might be. Don't get too attached! Interesting first chapter. We learn that Ruth has a strong sense of justice.

I read the thread first but somehow still missed the tree stuff.

As an opening chapter I thought it set the scene well, we met Ruth and I think got well introduced and got to see some of the divisions before anything has really happened.

The tree as metaphor struck me too. I think it may have passed me by the first time I read the book, back in the 1990s, because I was so caught up in "what happens next" and the main narrative.

Will hopefully keep up and join you all in this.
Loved North and South when I read it a few years ago, not heard of Ruth before, but looking forward to it.
I enjoyed the first chapter. The street description was interesting and can't wait to get to know Ruth better.
I liked how EG included the beautiful flower paintings on the wall in amongst such a gloomy, sad situation that was going on in the room. Great contrast.

Interesting idea about the tree and Ruth. I saw it as representing loss of the natural outdoor world for ordinary people like Ruth.

The descriptions stayed with me and I can picture the stately but shabby houses.

The way MG created characters with tiny digs (at humanity as much as individual characters)reminds me of Jane Austen's writing. I loved the bit about a worthy woman promising diligence will lead to reward and MG's comment:'people persuade themselves that what they wish to do is right.'

We are already being asked to contrast the forgivable behaviour of 'worthy' people and that of Ruth who is honest.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and how it had changed. Like a PP, I wanted to go out in the snow with Ruth. The end of the chapter sets up the rest of the story describing how Mrs Mason is sending her to the ball because she is beautiful. Her beauty's going to get her into trouble!!

I worried that I might find this difficult to get into because I struggled to focus on the initial description but as soon as we were introduced to the characters, I loved it.

It seems to introduce what I guess will be important themes in the book:

The contrast between the lives of the rich and the poor shown by the young seamstresses working until the early hours to complete the gowns for the hunt ball.

Longbourn (Jo Barker) did something similar. In Pride and Prejudice, we're supposed to admire Elizabeth for striding through the muddy tracks and fields to visit her sick sister. Longbourn showed what it was like for the servants who had to clean the dress afterwards in a time before modern washing machines.

Ruth's need for freedom came out strongly. She sits in the darkest corner because then she can look at the flowers that were painted on the wood. She would rather use the break to look out of the window than to eat or sleep like the other girls.

I wondered if the tree represented Ruth. It used to have space and be surrounded by lawn but now it's hemmed in.

I liked Ruth's honesty. She wanted to observe the hunt ball but spoke up when she believed that the most diligent girls would be chosen and knew that she wasn't one of those.

Jenny seems a good friend. I hope that the cough isn't a portent of what is to come. It reminded me of Helen Burns, the older girl who befriends Jane Eyre at Lowood.

I enjoyed the first chapter and I was shocked by the girls working until 2am to get a ball gown finished. Next time I read a Victorian novel where the heroine is talking about her magnificant gown I will remember Ruth and her friends hard at work sewing into the night.

i would like to try a read along.

i have tried suggesting one for my book club but I am not sure how that is going to go. I will oder the book tomorrow and catch up

Thanks Bishy!
Started last night, until my eyes started crossing ...
Lovely beginning, wanted to go out into the snow with her.
The description of the tree stuck with me - how it used to stand in amongst grass, but was now hemmed in with paving and messy buildings.
I often think that about old trees and the changes that have happened around them. Bit like our lives, as we get older.
Happy New Year to all here! x

Yes, I thought it was wonderfully descriptive too. Gloomy, but beautiful.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Great summary @BishyBarnyBee .

Not the cheeriest of starts to a book but I did enjoy it. I loved the descriptions of the town and how it’s changed, and also the wallpaper that Ruth stares at to cheer herself up slightly.

Thank you @BishyBarnyBee

I read the first chapter yesterday. I enjoyed the rich opening description of the street architecture, and felt for the tired young seamstresses. Looking forward to discovering more about how Ruth came to be one of them.

No rules! You're in charge! I just remembered the Thursday/Sunday thing and thought it was Chapter One by Thursday.

Never fear .. Chapter One was short and I have now read it. Excellent summary.

I noticed the good old Victorian caged bird analogy, also much beloved of Hardy in Tess. Ruth presses her forehead against the window 'like a bird presses against the bars of its cage'.

We learn a lot about labour exploitation of Victorian workers - but boteh this and the other readalong Nicholas Nickleby throw into relief the exploitation of young women in the fashion industry, which is a more unusual angle. The same is seen briefly in A Christmas Carol via Martha and , later, Eva Smith in An Inspector Calls.

Yes, that's right @BishyBarnyBee
Lovely chapter summary :)

I enjoyed the first chapter. I felt sorry for the young girls having to work through the night to make the deadline. And Ruth's friend sounds very unwell.

Oh, we're we meant to read a chapter before 2024? I'll get cracking!

I'm in! Looking forward to some disciplined reading!

I've also ordered a copy and will probably lurk for a while.

Thank you for organising this, I'm looking forward to it.