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

[Plentyoffishnets]

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

[ScribblyGum]

My favourite book of 2017. Can strongly recommend the audiobook. Juliet Stevenson does a wonderful job.

[RainOnATinRoof]

I read up to chapter 4 yesterday, and hope to get a couple more chapters in this evening. So far, so good.

Elizabeth Gaskell has a very modern style, I find.

[Hardygirl78]

I'll join you if you don't mind, I was struggling to decide what to read next but have just downloaded this onto my kindle and made a start.

[Meduse]

Great! Me too,I'm in.It will be a bit of a challenge to read a classic novel after a long time of flying through more modern styles
Will download it now

[dreamingofaname]

Brilliant, would love to join! Will download it and start when I finish "The Miniaturist"

[IrisAtwood]

I’ve just started it too.

[SellMySoulForMoreSleep]

I'm in, will download now!

[RustyBear]

I’ve had it on my kindle for a while, so maybe this will be what I need to get me started on it!

[ClashCityRocker]

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

[bluedomino]

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.

[OlafLovesAnna]

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!

[LucyLastik]

Have downloaded and about to make a start 😊

[IrisAtwood]

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?

[Noteventhebestdrummer]

I'm downloading the audio version

[Chillywhippet]

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

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?

[IrisAtwood]

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]

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

[lollipop7]

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

[TillyTheTiger]

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!

[CircleofWillis]

Just downloaded on my kindle. Will start tonight.

[iloveredwine]

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

[DorisDay88]

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

[nigelschristmasham]

Thankyou for directing me to the right place

[busyprocrastinating]

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

[HopelesslyHopeful87]

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