Wives and Daughters | 
pickWell this was a chunky monkey of a book. I enjoyed it, though I don't think I liked any of the characters. Molly was incredibly annoying at the beginning but she grew as a person and on me as we went along. This is a very character driven read, the characters having so many flaws, but also Gaskell was able to keep my attention through all 700 pages. While the plot was spare the pce of the book is quick moving and engaging.
#20in4 #readathon @Andrew65
First day!
I listened to 4 hours of Wives and Daughters and read 2 chapters of Clays Arc. Not the strongest start but I was also working and super distracted (the new season of Netflix French show L'Agency just dropped!)
Wow Molly in W&D is so childlike and annoying I keep picturing Mia Goth playing her.
#20in4 #Readathon w/ @Andrew65
I have probably spent 20 hours thinking about how to do 20 in 4!
Here is what I came up with -
20 hours of audio of my #Doublespin Wives and Daughters
20 chapters of Clays Arc
20 chapters (finish it!) Of Trespasses
20 pages of Pattermaster
I am really trying to get caught up on some of my personal reading goals so these stretch goals should really help, and it is a 3 day weekend here!
pickDuring the first 30% of this book I didn‘t really think I‘d be able to enjoy it. I had almost had enough of fine ladies and ridiculous customs when all of a sudden I just got pulled in. Scales does an excellent job with the narration, even though I couldn‘t stand some of the mouth noises she made when imitating some (very annoying) characters. I do admire her skill though.
pickIf you love Jane Austen, but you wouldn't mind characters who actually work for a living and occasionally mention politics, you will also love Elizabeth Gaskell. This satirical but warm hearted novel has wonderfully drawn, realistic, imperfect characters. It is a coming of age story about Molly Gibson, whose world is changed when her father remarries after years of being a widower. #pemberlittens
"My dear, if you must have the last word, don't let it be a truism." ? I am going to find a way to insert that quote into conversation.
"Perhaps I might be a heroine still, but I shall never be a good woman, I know."
"Do you think it easier to be a heroine?"
"Yes, as far as one knows of heroines from history. I'm capable of a great jerk, an effort, and then a relaxation--but steady every-day goodness is beyond me."
Loving this book! Very different from Austen's writings in that Gaskell talks a lot about social issues. #pemberlittens
To begin with the old rigmarole of childhood.
#firstlinefridays
@ShyBookOwl
pickI really enjoyed this story. The cast of characters was well populated with people lovable (Molly) to slappable (Mrs Gibson 🙄) and everything in between. The writing is descriptive without feeling ornate, and really captures the characters‘ lives. This was my second Gaskell and I‘m looking forward to more.
pickAbsolutely adored this book! It was a random pick on audible and I‘m so glad to have found it! Gorgeously simple story following the life of Molly Gibson, beautiful characters that you get to know and love ... very sad that Mrs Gaskell did not finish the story, I definitely need to read more of her work!
So, I cheated a little on the last one. 😁
#alphabetbookishquiz
@RealLifeReading
pickVery romantic and sweet family dynamic- I wish she‘d be able to finish it
Ive started reading this book recently, making my way slowly through it, and I'm enjoying it so far.
pickIt‘s a doorstop, but so much fun to read! Can‘t wait to read more Gaskell and discuss with my favorite online peeps.
pickReminiscent of Middlemarch by George Eliot, Wives and Daughters explores ideas of the late 1800s, and the relationships between family and social classes using a compelling story. I love long, wordy books exploring relationships, so this was right up my alley, but if you like a fast-moving story, this is NOT the book for you.
pickI love this! 1830s England, with all its intricacies of class & etiquette, is made very much real. Brothers, stepsisters, widows, wives & spinsters—there are characters that will live long in my imagination, thanks almost as much to #audiobook narrator Patience Tomlinson‘s skill as to that of Gaskell. And I doubt I‘ll ever find a chapter title that will delight me as much as: “Secret Thoughts Ooze Out.”
The humour in Victorian novels tends to catch me by surprise. It‘s good to be reminded that 150 years ago, people weren‘t much different from me.
(Molly) “Do you think it easier to be a heroine?”
(Cynthia) “Yes, as far as one knows of heroines from history. I‘m capable of a great jerk, an effort, and then a relaxation – but steady everyday goodness is beyond me. I must be a moral kangaroo!”
(This quote gives me a chance to use a photo I took on North Stradbroke Island. 😊)
The new Mrs. Gibson: “But, really! I cannot allow cheese to come beyond the kitchen.”
Dr. Gibson: “Then I‘ll eat it there.”
(I‘m with him. Nobody comes between me and my cheese.)
“And the worst is, she‘s gone and perpetuated her own affected name by calling her daughter after her: Cynthia. One thinks of the moon, and the man in the moon with his bundle of faggots.”
(I had to do some googling to puzzle out this reference. There‘s a Queen Cynthia in the Elizabethan comedy, Endymion.)
Lunchtime reading! Started Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell for #Victober. #lunchtimereading
Currently reading this using the app “Serial.” So appropriate to 19th century content. I might have to consider another round of Dickens using this app.
so-soI freely admit that a little skimming went on here. Overall I enjoyed the story of Molly & Cynthia, their relationship to each other & with others. The writing was sharp & clever at times, the imagery was vivid. But. But. Honestly didn‘t care much for the portions from the Hamley dudes‘ lives, & found that a lot of the convos felt repetitive after a while. Plus there‘s the issue w/the “ending” LOL. A good story, not a great one, for me. 3/5 ⭐️
I wish I could give you a little of my own sensitiveness, for I have too much for my happiness.
Tell the truth, now and evermore. Truth is generally amusing, if it‘s nothing else!
Fate is a cunning hussy.
[100% will be using this line probably one million times.]
Lord Cumnor was very fond of getting hold of what he fancied was a joke and working his idea threadbare; so all the time ... he kept on his running fire at Molly, alluding to the Sleeping Beauty, the Seven Sleepers, and any other famous sleeper that came into his head. He had no idea of the misery his jokes were to the sensitive girl, who already thought herself a miserable sinner for having slept on, when she ought to have been awake
[Men. Why?]
THIS BOOK IS VERY LONG BUT I AM GOING FOR IT WISH ME LUCK! #nowreading
@TricksyTails posted she was using a coffee crisp bar as a reading reward. I‘d never heard of this treat before, but my grocery store had a small British Food section and this was eye level today. So, my #SundayEveningPlans are to indulge in some coffee crisp goodness and start this book. I loved North and South, so I have high hopes for this one.
#Bailey #dogsoflitsy #readingbuddy #snugglebunny
Anyone ere collect the Penguin English Library editions? I love these editions, they are so beautiful and just great to look at and have on my shelves.
pickCharming tale of life in an English country village. A close look at class relations. Some interestingly complex characters, some not so complex but likeable. The limited choices available to women at this time is also explored.
I'm playing catchup on the #150PnPCoverparty so yes, that means this book again! The back blurb talk about how Molly's life changes when she gets a half-sister. In ch.19, on page 215 the new #sisters finally meet. It's both Molly's and the reader's first glimpse of the much awaited Cynthia!
I know I said I would post from another book, but outside of Austen herself, this book just seems perfect for #150PnPCoverparty
"To Molly, who was not finely discriminative in her glances at the stranger this first night, he simply appeared 'heavy-looking, clumsy' and 'a person she was sure she should never get on with.'"
#FirstImpressions
More regency problems! During #balls the successful debutante will dance every dance, but ideally only have partners from the peerage. Less eligible matches might result in lasting fatigue.
(Yes, I know I already used this book. I'll find something else for the next prompts!)
#150PnPCoverparty
In the 1820s rural England #neighbours (or #neighbors for you yanks) was a relative thing. It could take hours in a carriage to get there. These particular neighbours have quite the pedigree, in spite of their "small" estate, as they are thought to have been there since before the Norman invasion. The Hamleys of Hamley are a constant in the neighbourhood.
#150PnPCoverparty
Relaxing with a book before I get all keyed up this weekend for the #Superbowl (I was born in Philly). My nails are even ready for the occasion 🦅🏈 #flyeaglesfly #philadelphia
And that concludes this week's scheduled reading of Wives and Daughters. (I love it when I manage to get up to speed on a group read 😅)
It also concludes my evening! Now to try not to sleep too many hours past the official starting time for the #24in48 😴 I have several more group reads to catch up on in the morning. 😂
