Victorians! discussion

Hi all,

Jassmine, Theresa and I have been planning a buddy read of Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell for September/October this year. Details to be finalised, but I wanted to let you know now in case someone would be interested in joining us but needs time for planning.

Start date: mid-September (10th, 15th, TBD)
Schedule: TBD, I'd prefer around 4±1 week(s) (until latest 15th October)
Structure: One thread with appropriate spoiler warnings (but can do (bi-)weekly threads, if preferred)

I have seen that there was a group read of Mary Barton in 2023, which might be useful as well: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

I’d love to read Mary Barton with you!

Lindenblatt wrote: "Hi all,

Jassmine, Theresa and I have been planning a buddy read of Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell for September/October this year. Details to be finalised, but I wa..."
Thanks for this Linda. Yes, I would like to be done earlier in October so I have plenty of reading time for other Victorian books.

Lindenblatt wrote: "Hi all,

Jassmine, Theresa and I have been planning a buddy read of Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell for September/October this year. Details to be finalised, but I wa..."

Glad to have you Gayle.

Gayle wrote: "I’d love to read Mary Barton with you!"

You are very much welcome, Gayle!

Theresa wrote: "Lindenblatt wrote: "Hi all,

Jassmine, Theresa and I have been planning a buddy read of Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell for September/October this year. Details to be..."

The earlier the better for me as well. Let me know if you have any preferences regarding the/a schedule and structure of this thread.

I am so glad that we finally managed to find a time to read this together!

Just as a reminder: In about two weeks, I’ll set up two threads for the buddy read of 'Mary Barton':

starting 21st September: Vol. 1 (Ch. I-XVII)
starting 1st October: Vol. 2 (Ch. XVIII- XXXVIII)

The novel was originally published in two volumes, “reflecting its narrative structure”. Thus, this split seems to make sense without putting too many restrictions on us.

You can start and finish (earlier/later) as it suits you, but the aim would be to have a check in at the beginning, around the middle and, of course, at the end. The end will be around 10th October.

Comments can be posted at any time when you feel like sharing your thoughts and impressions. Please use spoiler warnings (and spoiler tags), if you want to discuss details. For example starting your message with:

*********************CHAPTER VI***********************



Let me know if this plan sounds good to you.

One of my all time favourite novels. I have read this recently in a group read but I will be reading your posts with interest ( if that’s OK.)

I have recently discovered that Mary Howitt (a celebrated writer of the period now largely forgotten) encouraged Elizabeth Gaskell to write and publish Mary Barton.

Here is a snippet about her from the excellent ‘Elizabeth Gaskell House’ website which has many great resources for Gaskell lovers.

https://elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/w...

Trev wrote: "One of my all time favourite novels. I have read this recently in a group read but I will be reading your posts with interest ( if that’s OK.)

I have recently discovered that Mary Howitt (a celebr..."

Of course it is okay if you join us and thank you for the link.

I would love to join in as well!

Lindenblatt wrote: "Just as a reminder: In about two weeks, I’ll set up two threads for the buddy read of 'Mary Barton':

starting 21st September: Vol. 1 (Ch. I-XVII)
starting 1st October: Vol. 2 (Ch. XVIII- XXXVIII)
..."

Looks great to me with maybe a first impressions area. Thanks again Linda for setting this up.

Theresa wrote: "Looks great to me with maybe a first impressions area..."

That's a good idea, Theresa. I'll open a 'First Impressions (no spoilers)' discussion thread and then the other two which may contain spoilers.

@Jen, it would be great, if you could join us! The more, the merrier.

@Trev, thank you for the link. I have visited the 'Elizabeth Gaskell House' website while reading The Letters of Mrs. Gaskell last/earlier this year. It's a great resource indeed, though the picture at the top of that article was creepy...

Hi everyone, you can also revisit the discussion threads from 2023, if you'd like to!