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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:
AiryFairy1991 · 13/01/2018 19:05

I’ve still not got round to reading the book but it’s on my list!

LashingsOfHamAndGingerBeer · 13/01/2018 19:32

Hello! Would like to join too please.

Cornishblues · 13/01/2018 21:02

I’d like to join too please. Book group a lovely idea. Have downloaded n&s from project guthenberg.

I’m not sure why I haven’t tried it before! I went through a classics phase as a teenager/student. I think I imagined it would read more like George Eliot (once struggled through the mill on the floss and never again) but as others have said (and I’m only judging from chapter 1) it does read more like jane Austen.

Will do my best to stay off the internet and on the book!

beachygirl · 14/01/2018 10:09

Just finished North and South and enjoyed it. Started watching the TV adaptation but can't get over it's version of Thornton, but will give it a go as I was interested by the industrial landscape and cotton mill scenes, (filmed in Edinburgh I believe).

JuiceInAWineGlass · 14/01/2018 19:35

I’ve just finished it. I found the first part hard going but I really enjoyed the last two thirds of the book. Would recommend Big Little Lies - one of the few things I actually managed to read this year on mat leave...

Macauley · 14/01/2018 22:49

I’m finished too. Glad I stuck with it which I might not have done if it wasn’t for this group.

AiryFairy1991 · 14/01/2018 23:18

I’ve also just finished. I loved it from about chapter 30 onwards. Thought it was quite hard work up until then. The characters (especially Margaret as I always loved the Thorntons) really grew on me so I’m glad I stuck it out. Can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts on the 25th!

Chillywhippet · 15/01/2018 10:32

I think I've got to chapter 22. I kept thinking I'd be past halfway but there are 52 chapters.

So 3 chapters a day for next 10 days should do it.

C'mon what's your target if you've not finished? We can do it Halo

JapaneseBirdPainting · 15/01/2018 12:05

Hello! Have been directed here by endehors and would love to join.

Plexie · 15/01/2018 16:57

I know this is Reading Group and not TV-adaptation-group but seriously, 6 pages of comments and only one mention of Richard Armitage??? Are you all under 30 or something?!

JaimesGoldenHand · 15/01/2018 17:28

I'd love to join. Only just found thread so may not read N&S in time for 25th but I have just finished my last book so there's still time!

AiryFairy1991 · 15/01/2018 17:40

I think I’m the only one that mentioned Richard Armitage and I am under 30! He’s so wonderful though I’m sure he would look past the age gap.

Now that I’ve finished the novel I’m rewatching the adaptation and I’m slightly disappointed in what they did to his character. Richard Armitage is faultless of course!

MyOtherProfile · 15/01/2018 17:46

Please can I join? I've read the book and listened to the audio book and watched drooled over Richard Armitage in the mini series.

Namelesswonder · 15/01/2018 18:07

Hmmmm, where can I find the tv version please? I finished the book so could fit in some tv....

Macauley · 15/01/2018 18:12

Just had to google Richard armitage. How have I never heard of him! Will be watching the tv adaptation now.

MyOtherProfile · 15/01/2018 19:11

Nameless it was on Netflix. Not sure if it still is. Worth a watch purely for discussion purposes of course. phwoar

captainjackandjill · 15/01/2018 19:43

Me too please! I bought the book about a year ago, but haven't started it yet. This is a great kick in the pants for me to get on itGrin

Namelesswonder · 15/01/2018 20:04

Thanks Profile, DH away so I will check it out tonight. Research of course.....

MyOtherProfile · 15/01/2018 21:44

You won't regret it Nameless Grin

DarthNigel · 16/01/2018 20:02

I've got really into the book now-so enjoying it. And looking forward to watching Richard armitage on Netflix when I'm done to boot! It's the gift that keeps giving!

stilllovingmysleep · 17/01/2018 07:49

Happy to hear that others are struggling with this too, so far I'm really pushing myself to continue reading it!

Chillywhippet · 17/01/2018 08:01

I found it suddenly got easier around chapter 21 I think.

8 days to go !

The paperback I'm reading has gaps between words and exclamation marks. Like this !

greenllicic · 20/01/2018 13:20

Glad I'm not the only one finding it hard going. Think I'm on chapter 12. Iv never read a classic although I read a lot. At the beginning I thought it was difficult to read but I'm enjoying it more now and love her style of writing. My daughter who is studying English lit told me I would find it too difficult but proving her wrong

mamapants · 21/01/2018 13:01

How's everyone getting on?

runningoutofjuice · 21/01/2018 14:15

I'm not going to finish in time as only started it this week, have 300 pages to go! Although I've read it before, I can't remember much. I'm enjoying the incidental information e.g. new innovations in milling etc. Haven't warmed to any of the characters yet, but a long way to go, am only up to Mrs Thornton's first visit to Crampton.