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Original poster

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:
desperatelyseekingcaffeine · 21/01/2018 15:45

Finished a couple of days ago. I did find it a bit of a chore at the start but then got into it. If it wasn't for the book club I'd have given up quite quickly. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts from the 25th!

captainjackandjill · 21/01/2018 19:17

Just finishing chapter 31, and am warming up to Margaret. Did anyone else have a bit of trouble enjoying her character at first?

DarthNigel · 21/01/2018 19:32

I've finished and then treated myself to a lovely afternoon on the sofa watching the BBC version. Fallen in love with Richard armitage all over again Smile

AiryFairy1991 · 21/01/2018 20:32

captainjackandjill I disliked her too until about chapter 30 when I started to find her more liakable!

captainjackandjill · 21/01/2018 22:14

Thanks AiryFairy1991 I was hoping it wasn't just meGrin

Macauley · 22/01/2018 16:59

No captainjackandjill I didn’t really like Margaret’s character at the beginning of the book either. But by the end I did find her likeable.

Chillywhippet · 23/01/2018 23:08

Just finished. Hooray! Very pleased.
Looking forward to discussing.

Will watch to adaptation.

Have Fatherland ready for February.

mamapants · 24/01/2018 08:11

Yes I haveFatherland ready too.

I've seen lots of challenge list, category list type things that might be helpful for selecting future books. There's a list on the Mrs D'Arcy website and a few on goodreads.
Could be helpful to have a category for each month and suggestions based around the category.

JaimesGoldenHand · 24/01/2018 08:26

Is there a list somewhere of each month's books? I've read Fatherland but can't remember any of it so a re-read is in order.

I enjoyed N&S. I will give my full views from tomo so as not to spoil the ending for anyone.

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 24/01/2018 13:28

Hi all,

Was so pleased to see this thread! I thought I'd read N&S before, but it turned out I hadn't. Finished it yesterday. I did cheat a bit on Sunday and listen to someone reading it out on YouTube whilst cooking Sunday lunch. She was American, and did an extremely amusing Irish accent for the Higginses. Was glad it existed though, or I wouldn't have finished it! Looking forward to the discussion, and to watching the adaptation on Netflix!

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 24/01/2018 13:31

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08h0654 Just found this too. I'm in the hairdressers, so not going to listen now, but could be good.

Chillywhippet · 24/01/2018 14:01

Let's start a book group book list thread. We can plan the books for the year on there and people can look at it without fear of spoilers.

mamapants · 24/01/2018 18:05

Good idea chilly

AiryFairy1991 · 24/01/2018 18:42

Is it worth us all making a few suggestions and saying which genre they are? Then we can put book names into a hat and draw one from each genre for the following months?

Chillywhippet · 24/01/2018 20:28

I started a thread.
All suggestions welcome, for categories and books Grin

2018 Book Group list suggestions

AiryFairy1991 · 24/01/2018 21:06

Thanks @Chillywhippet !

Original poster
Plentyoffishnets · 24/01/2018 22:13

great idea chilly!
I've still about 150 pages to go so will try to finish it over the weekend and read through the discussion once done! looking forward to hearing what everyone else thought of it. I've really enjoyed it - it was a long one though!

OP posts:
Chillywhippet · 24/01/2018 22:43

My paperback looked a bit thicker than the average book but the text was small so it was long

captainjackandjill · 25/01/2018 03:42

Thanks @Macauley! Yes she did get more likeable thankfullySmile.
I finished tonight, and have to say I did enjoy the book very much. Looking forward to the discussion!

Chillywhippet · 25/01/2018 08:40

Have asked HQ to add "spoilers from 25th January" to the thread title.

I'm looking forward to the discussion.

I'm glad I read it. It was a slog in places, especially when I was tired and it made me think my attention span has shrunk!

Now I want to watch the TV adaptation but I'm reluctant to start as I have these pictures of people and places in my mind which will clash with the TV version. I want to hold on to "my" characters in my mind a bit longer.

DarthNigel · 25/01/2018 10:24

What time are we discussing it from :)

Chillywhippet · 25/01/2018 10:52

Good question Nigel. What do you think?

DarthNigel · 25/01/2018 12:54

I'm free from about 7 Grin but feel free to start without me Smile

Chillywhippet · 25/01/2018 14:22

O.k. from 7 but everyone feel free to chip in whenever.
Some posters are running a bit behind Smile

Chillywhippet · 25/01/2018 19:08

Wondering if we want questions?