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Original poster

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

586 replies

BishyBarnyBee · 28/12/2023 07:42

Following the very successful Madame Bovary readalong, we have decided to explore another woman who refused to be bound by contemporary mores.
So shocking at the time, two of Gaskell's friends burnt their copies.

"Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth (1853) was the first mainstream novel to make a fallen woman its eponymous heroine. It is a remarkable story of love, of the sanctuary and tyranny of the family, and of the consequences of lies and deception, one that lays bare Victorian hypocrisy and sexual double-standards. Shocking to contemporary readers, its radical utopian vision of a pure woman faithfully presented predates Hardy's Tess by nearly forty years."

We will aim for two chapters a week - a weekend chapter and a mid week chapter. If I have time, I'll try and do a ChatGPT chapter summary, but anyone else is welcome to jump in if I haven't got there first.

We start 1st Jan, so if you are up for a bit of Victorian passion, guilt, regret and redemption, sign up here!

OP posts:
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StColumbofNavron · 29/12/2023 10:31

cassandre · 28/12/2023 23:27

Thanks @BishyBarnyBee , I love the thread title!

I have the Penguin edition, which I chose somewhat randomly.

I read Cranford years ago, after watching the BBC adaptation, but otherwise I'm not at all familiar with Gaskell. I'm looking forward to reading.

I love this cover.

Hayliebells · 29/12/2023 08:50

I'm in, just got my copy from Libby. I've never done a read along before, but this seems a good way to kick off the new year new reading habit.

cassandre · 28/12/2023 23:27

Thanks @BishyBarnyBee , I love the thread title!

I have the Penguin edition, which I chose somewhat randomly.

I read Cranford years ago, after watching the BBC adaptation, but otherwise I'm not at all familiar with Gaskell. I'm looking forward to reading.

New Year, New Fallen Woman: Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth Readalong
cariadlet · 28/12/2023 21:44

I've bought it for my kindle but found that it's also included in my Audible membership so I have it for back up in case I have a busy week.

SeaviewKitchen · 28/12/2023 21:43

Book ordered…will try and keep up!

Meduse · 28/12/2023 21:18

Excellent! I was planning to read a “classic” story this year so will start with this one. Will order a copy now.

Original poster
BishyBarnyBee · 28/12/2023 19:59

RenoDakota · 28/12/2023 18:50

I would love to join this. Have thought about joining previous readalongs but never quite got around to it. I read North and South and Wives and Daughters some years ago.

Love your username @BishyBarnyBee! Am guessing you are from Norfolk? I am too (but currently living somewhere else).

I may have a tangential connection with Norfolk!

OP posts:
cariadlet · 28/12/2023 19:09

Count me in.

I didn't join in with the Madame Bovary one although I probably should have to see if my opinion had changed since I read it in my teens (I found her spoilt and irritating).

I'm looking forward to this year's read. I enjoyed Cranford and North & South. I haven't read Ruth but it sounds really interesting.

Helloandgoodmorning2 · 28/12/2023 18:53

Ooh yes please, I have never read Ruth and also love North and South and Wives and Daughters. Off to buy a copy before my self imposed ‘no new books’ ban.😂

RenoDakota · 28/12/2023 18:50

I would love to join this. Have thought about joining previous readalongs but never quite got around to it. I read North and South and Wives and Daughters some years ago.

Love your username @BishyBarnyBee! Am guessing you are from Norfolk? I am too (but currently living somewhere else).

KohlaParasaurus · 28/12/2023 18:39

I read all Mrs Gaskell's novels in my twenties but haven't picked up much from that period in the last couple of decades. I've downloaded Ruth on Kindle and will read along.

keeganface · 28/12/2023 18:31

Count me in. I will have a go.

rc22 · 28/12/2023 18:21

Ordered a copy and I'll give it a go!!

MrsWinkly · 28/12/2023 16:58

Yes please. Love Elizabeth Gaskell.
Will buy a copy tomorrow.
Oooooh, this is the most excitement I've had in a long time...🤓and I'm not joking!

Midnightstar76 · 28/12/2023 16:52

Signing in , hope to keep up

Tarahumara · 28/12/2023 16:38

I'm in! Thanks @BishyBarnyBee

Sadik · 28/12/2023 15:57

I agree, it's a great thread title!

HappyBusman · 28/12/2023 13:51

I’m not going to read along, as Ruth has always annoyed me (though I like lots of other Gaskells), but I just wanted to admire your thread title.

Maybe I have never forgiven Mrs Gaskell for falling out of touch with Charlotte Bronte after her marriage — she says in a letter to her daughter that had she known CB was dying in pregnancy (probably of what we would now recognise as hyperemesis gravidarium) she could have induced a miscarriage to save her life. And yes, I do get that this was not Mrs Gaskell’s fault in any way.

ChessieFL · 28/12/2023 13:45

Count me in - I’m not familiar with Ruth but it sounds good!

CornishLizard · 28/12/2023 12:51

Thank you BushyBarneyBee I’m looking forward to this. I have a library copy at the ready.

New Year, New Fallen Woman: Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth Readalong
FinallyHere · 28/12/2023 12:21

Ohh, thank you for arranging this. I'm a big Gaskell fan, thank you too for introducing me to one I have not already read.

So good to have something to look forward too at this time of year xx

GrandMarnierChocolate · 28/12/2023 10:35

I love this idea and am off to seek out a copy ASAP

highlandcoo · 28/12/2023 10:28

Me too! Just ordered the Oxford edition as they're my favourite publishers for classics.

I fell off the thread for War and Peace and Our Mutual Friend although I did finish both novels. Will have another go this year though.

Having enjoyed North and South and Mary Barton I'm looking forward to Ruth. Thanks for starting us off @BishyBarnyBee

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 28/12/2023 09:53

Thank you Bishy for setting this up and for the wonderful introduction. I'm looking forward to reading this very much.

Buttalapasta · 28/12/2023 09:52

Thank you! I have a library copy - will post a photo when I get home.