Thursday, October 22, 2020

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell -- BOOK BEGINNINGS

 


BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS

I almost forgot to post this evening because I have lost all sense of what day of the week it is. Do you ever get so absorbed with work that you lose all sense of time? 

Well that's me these days. I've been working seven days a week to get all these Boy Scout sex abuse claims filed before the November 16 bankruptcy deadline. Since I work at home during coronavirus times, one day blends into the next. 

But I remembered! It's time for Book Beginnings on Fridays. Time to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading this week -- or the book that caught your fancy. Share a link to your post below. Please use the #bookbeginnings hashtag on social media so we can find each other. 

MY BOOK BEGINNING


In the first place, Cranford is in the possession of the Amazons; all the holders of houses above a certain rent are women.

-- Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. 

Victober continue! I love the tradition of reading Victorian literature in the month of October, as I discussed last week. I finished The Old Curiosity Shop and started Cranford. I've never read a book by Gaskell and thought I'd start with this short one before I tackled something long, like North and South

I'm a little more than halfway through and I like it. It is not nearly as funny as Dickens, but enjoyable. It definitely shows signs of having been published in installments stretching over a few years. It is more like a series of disconnected short stories or sketches than a novel. 

What I like best is how much it reminds me of E.F. Benton's Mapp and Lucia books written in the 1920s and 1930s, roughly 75 years later. 

YOUR BOOK BEGINNINGS

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THE FRIDAY 56

Freda at Freda's Voice hosts another teaser event on Fridays. Participants share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of the book they are reading -- or from 56% of the way through the audiobook or ebook. Please visit Freda's Voice for details and to leave a link to your post.

MY FRIDAY 56

I wonder what the Cranford ladies did with Captain Brown at their parties. We had often rejoiced, in former days, that there was no gentleman to be attended to, and to find conversation for, at the card-parties.


12 comments :

  1. I haven't read this book. I like the quotes. Enjoy your current read! :-)

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  2. Hi Gilion,

    I think just about everyone I have spoken to, who works from home, have found themselves putting in more hours than they would if they travelled to the office. I know my husband still says he prefers home working though, as it is much less stressful, to the point where the extra hours he puts in don't worry him and he never bothers claiming them.

    Another of those 'Want To Read' classics for me, and I never even watched the televised drama which aired over here!

    All power to you for sticking with Victober, do you think you will squeeze another book in before the end of the month?

    Don't work too hard :)

    Yvonne xx

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  3. I first read Cranford at school and thought it was dull. I read it again a few years ago and enjoyed it -my reading tastes have changed!

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  4. I've never heard of Victober but now I want to try it! I am not usually one for reading spooky books so reading Victorian lit in October seems more up my alley. Thanks for recommending it to me.

    My post: https://steppingstonesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/10/book-beginnings-on-fridaysfriday-56_22.html

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  5. I still need to discover Elizabeth Gaskell. I've actually marked a few of hers for The Fraterfest, but just like you - work is a bit hectic at the moment and time for reading a bit scarce.

    I will read her though! I hope to take part in Victober next year.

    Have a good weekend and good luck with all your case work.

    Here's my Weekend Book Friends #12

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  6. I haven't read this one. That cover is lovely. Have a great weekend!

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  7. Canford has been on my reading list for so long but I just haven't gotten to it. I like the vision of the women in the book being Amazons. That is a new idea for me. The linky isn't working for me, so find me here: My Friday post

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  8. Probably not for me but I hope you love it! Happy weekend!

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  9. The Cranford ladies sound very intriguing! All the days are running together here too. This is just the year that won't end. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!

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  10. I read Elizabeth Gaskell's "Women and Daughters". I found it quite enjoyable, one of the best books I ever read. Enjoy "Cranford".
    Marilyn

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  11. I hope you are able to get all your claims filed in time. It sounds like you will as hard as you've been working! I have Cranford on my TBR shelf, but I haven't read it. I hope you are enjoying it! Have a great weekend, Gillion. Try to find some time for yourself in between all the work.

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