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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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Cappuccinfortwo · 28/12/2023 09:49

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StColumbofNavron · 28/12/2023 09:27

Thanks so much @BishyBarnyBee. I didn’t love North and South when I read it, but these slower paced readalongs have really helped to digest and enjoy some of the classics I’ve previously been intimidated by.

Love the title.

As ever, would love to see the covers of anyone who has the non generic kindle free cover (like me).

RedDoughnut · 28/12/2023 09:11

Excellent.
I read North and South about 30 years ago!
I have a copy of Ruth with sticky back plastic to protect it. If only I had the time to look after paperbacks like I did as a teenager.
Looking forward to joining everyone

Cherrypi · 28/12/2023 09:08

I'm up for this and just downloaded the free kindle version. I've been meaning to read Gaskell since I read and enjoyed Mrs Gaskell and me by Nell Stevens.

cornflakegirl · 28/12/2023 08:43

Thanks for the tag on the other thread Bishy. I love North and South, so up for this. Off to download a copy.

Sadik · 28/12/2023 08:31

Excellent, thank you @BishyBarnyBee I've got my copy and had a sneaky read of the first few chapters when we discussed it before. (I have read it before, but so many years ago I don't remember very much.)
Definitely agree that 2 chapters a week is more achievable!

MyLibrarywasdukedomlargeenough · 28/12/2023 08:22

I would love to join in with this, I have read and enjoyed both North and South and Cranford though many years ago. I am glad I have discovered this corner of MN.

Original poster
BishyBarnyBee · 28/12/2023 08:21

babybythesea · 28/12/2023 08:07

I’m in. I read North and South years ago and loved it but haven’t read anything else by her. Two chapters a week is more manageable than one a day too. I always get behind and give up on those but this I can do.
Just ordered my copy.

Great! I always get behind and find it hard to catch up too, but I'm hoping the responsibility of leading the thread will work for me. If I manage to do the ChatGPT chapter summaries, you'll be able to get the gist even if you're not quite keeping up.

@Piggywaspushed @nettie434 Fab - it's fine to give it a go and see how you get on, great to have you on board.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 28/12/2023 08:08

I'll give it a go. I've only just recently Gaskelled so may need to work up to more! I need to juggle ordinary book, Nickleby and this : oh , and the small issue of work....

babybythesea · 28/12/2023 08:07

I’m in. I read North and South years ago and loved it but haven’t read anything else by her. Two chapters a week is more manageable than one a day too. I always get behind and give up on those but this I can do.
Just ordered my copy.

nettie434 · 28/12/2023 07:59

One of my favourite books! I need to try and get myself organised for this. Thanks!

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