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Wives and Daughters
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
161 posts | 89 read | 4 reading | 94 to read
Set in English society before the 1832 Reform Bill, Wives and Daughters centers on the story of youthful Molly Gibson, brought up from childhood by her father. When he remarries, a new step-sister enters Molly's quiet life loveable, but worldly and troubling, Cynthia. The narrative traces the development of the two girls into womanhood within the gossiping and watchful society of Hollingford.
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Wives and Daughters (Revised) | Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
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Recent acquisition for our personal library.

#Gaskell

Ruthiella I just read this last month. It was fantastic! 2mo
10 likes1 stack add1 comment
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dabbe
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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#readingbracket
#readingbracket2025
#readingbracket25
@Catsandbooks (thanks for this lovely template! 😍)

July's pick: WIVES AND DAUGHTERS (thank you, #hashtagbrigade and @BarkingMadRead!) 😍

BarkingMadRead Yayyyyyyy 3mo
mcctrish It was so good! I‘m finding it hard to get into The Age of Innocence after Gaskell, she was ahead of her time 3mo
dabbe @mcctrish 🩵🎯🩵 3mo
Catsandbooks Hooray! 🎉 👏🏼 💖 3mo
64 likes4 comments
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dabbe
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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#readingbracket
#readingbracket2025
#readingbracket25
@CSeydel (thanks for this lovely template! 😍)

July's pick: WIVES AND DAUGHTERS (thank you, #hashtagbrigade and @BarkingMadRead!) 😍

BarkingMadRead Yayyyyy 3mo
CSeydel Very nice! 3mo
55 likes2 comments
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Clare-Dragonfly
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
Pickpick

Gaskell writes such real-feeling characters. I didn‘t like this as much as Ruth, but maybe I would have if she‘d lived to finish it 😢 I definitely still hope to read the rest of her novels. Thanks as always to @BarkingMadRead and the #HashtagBrigade for another fun buddy read!

BarkingMadRead I wish I had known in advance so I could prepare myself! I had no idea it wasn‘t done! 3mo
19 likes1 comment
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eeclayton
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Pickpick

A slow book with intricate character studies, this one was perfect for a chapter-a-day buddy read. During the first few chapters, I didn't quite know what to expect, but then gradually the book grew on me, and before long I realized I was looking forward to the daily chapters.
Thanks for leading us through this @BarkingMadRead whose hashtags were hilarious as usual, and a shout-out to @mcctrish whose rage posts I was looking forward to each day 😂

mcctrish 😆😆😆 3mo
20 likes1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
BarkingMadRead The pic won‘t load! 3mo
mcctrish I had no idea this wasn‘t finished - after all Molly went through this is the ending we get ?! 3mo
See All 19 Comments
willaful SO MADDENING! How did we not know this?! I wanna see Molly happy! I wanna see Dr. Gibson slough off NotClare somehow! I guess we can watch a filmed version to get some kind of closure.. 3mo
Bookwormjillk So I'm guessing she died before she finished? Too bad. Still liked this book but kind of melancholy over the ending. The characters were great in this one. 3mo
peanutnine Yes I was so surprised at the abrupt end of the last chapter! But my version had an afterword that gave details about where Gaskell planned to go with the story before she died, so it was nice to know Molly gets her happy ending @mcctrish @willaful @Bookwormjillk 3mo
Ruthiella @peanutnine My book had this too. It does have a HEA! 3mo
Bookwormjillk @peanutnine my book had that too but it wasn‘t really clear where the information came from. But there was something about Cynthia‘s new husband being like “Wait you know Rodger???” and I got a kick out of that. 3mo
eeclayton I had the afterword, too. But even without it, Mrs Gaskell set up the HEA nicely, and she was no Charlotte Brontë to kill off Roger somewhere in Africa 😂 3mo
mcctrish @peanutnine mine had the afterward and thank god - I really was in a panic with how much book there was left and how much story there was to tell - but it felt too abrupt. All this ongoing story ( especially #notclare with her long winded double speak) ending with “dear reader, Roger married Molly. The end” 3mo
Ruthiella @eeclayton OH MY! ??? I she had pulled a Charlotte Brontë trick like the end of Villette? ? 3mo
peanutnine @eeclayton I am SO GLAD she didn't!! @mcctrish I agree, it was abrupt and I wanted all the details like we got for the whole rest of the story! I'm sure it would have been much more satisfying 3mo
ElizaMarie Yes!!! Actually if I had knownn- I probably would have skipped this book because it irked me soon much!!! 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly Sooooo, some of you didn‘t know that Gaskell died before finishing this book 😅 I have the edition with the ending written by her publisher but I was saving that for tomorrow! 3mo
Bklover Well, I am glad for the HEA, but I would have loved to have seen Cynthia have children and love them madly! 3mo
Lcsmcat @peanutnine That‘s how my edition handled it too. Still disappointed that we didn‘t get to see how Gaskell would have gotten us there. 3mo
AnnCrystal @PageShifter is having the same difficulty with images. 3mo
Bookwormjillk Forgot to say thanks @BarkingMadRead 3mo
dabbe I‘m in the minority, but I liked how it ended with both Molly and Roger seeing one another, saying nothing, but knowing where their hearts were and where their future lay. To me, their souls said more to each other than their spoken words ever could. Thanks for hilariously leading us again, @BarkingMadRead. 😍 3mo
28 likes1 stack add19 comments
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ElizaMarie
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Pickpick

Finished this a few days ago - umm— I had no clue this was the last book of the author! I was so angry!!!!! I had tot tell my baby boy (Lazlo) all about it- see how he listens :)
Anyway I enjoyed it all and all #MollyIsTheBest

#HashtagBrigade
@BarkingMadRead
@BarkingMadRead

BarkingMadRead I didn‘t know that either, that might explain the end! 3mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3mo
KadaGul Lazlo is like Mom You Serious about this!!! 🩵🤣🩵🐾 3mo
See All 8 Comments
Eggbeater Lazlo looks very sympathetic 3mo
ElizaMarie @BarkingMadRead I did a combo of Kindle and an audiobook for this one. The Audible had a last chapter type of thing that talks about what her plans would have been for the characters, it just ugh! Yeah, it totally upset me! 3mo
Bookwormjillk I just finished and now I‘m sad. I‘m glad I didn‘t know anything about this going in. 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Same!!!! I couldn't believe that the book just STOPPED after 766 pages!!!! 3mo
26 likes8 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Bookwormjillk She gave him a rose though 💐

Ugh Squire Aimee speaks English and can understand you, you jerk.
3mo
mcctrish Mrs #nogoodenough needs to zip it and so does the squire 3mo
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ElizaMarie @Bookwormjillk ha! That's what I was getting at, too! Just because she is French doesn't mean she doesn't understand you! 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly Doesn‘t seem like Molly was around long enough to help bring the Squire and Aimee together but maybe this illness of the baby will! I love baby Roger. He‘s such a good baby. 3mo
peanutnine The flower exchange made me happy though! Molly is content to act as friends again and Roger seems to have gained some hope for more! 3mo
35 likes6 comments
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mcctrish
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Pickpick

I couldn‘t wait any longer - there was so little book left but so much story untold

Bookwormjillk So much FOMO with all of you finishing before me 😂

Didn't get to it today but maybe tonight!
3mo
mcctrish @Bookwormjillk I want to know what you think 3mo
40 likes2 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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AllDebooks Can you imagine how suffocating it must have been to live with someone like that? Molly needs to get away. 3mo
Bookwormjillk I know I say this every day but today I really might just have to keep reading. 3mo
See All 19 Comments
ElizaMarie @Bookwormjillk I ended up finishing it- tried really had to stay on schedule but couldn‘t 3mo
ElizaMarie @AllDebooks yes!!!! That woman is a narcissist and insufferable!!!! I just can‘t! 3mo
BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk @ElizaMarie I finished it last week 🙈 3mo
Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead the only thing keeping me from finishing was a family reunion last week, but I'm back now. It's only a matter of time. 3mo
julieclair I think a little jealousy is good for Roger! 3mo
Cuilin @ElizaMarie I finished it last week also. 3mo
rubyslippersreads @ElizaMarie @Bookwormjillk I couldn‘t resist finishing either. 3mo
mcctrish @Bookwormjillk I‘m ready to wrap this up !!! @julieclair we‘ve had enough dilly dallying with Roger, if jealousy gets him going then pile it on 3mo
Bookwormjillk @julieclair I agree- let him see what he might miss out on. 3mo
dabbe @BarkingMadRead #ditto 😂🎯😂 3mo
dabbe @Bookwormjillk 🎯🩵🎯 He deserves to suffer a wee bit more for not choosing Molly to begin with. 3mo
Bookwormjillk @dabbe fair- a couple more chapters at least 3mo
Lcsmcat @ElizaMarie Me too! 3mo
Lcsmcat @dabbe True! 3mo
Bklover I finished it too. 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly I kept giggling at the conversation between #notgoodenough and #notarealclare. They were both working so hard to make sure they were right! 3mo
38 likes19 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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ElizaMarie Momma is one of the worst characters ever!!! She is so obnoxious and self centered. 3mo
Ruthiella @ElizaMarie I agree. She is a fantastic “villain”! I love to hate her. 😂 3mo
See All 7 Comments
Bookwormjillk I‘m glad Molly is getting a break. Papa‘s line about marrying Cynthia off to whatever guy shows up was funny. 3mo
dabbe I adore Harriet and how she looks out for Molly. And it's so refreshing to have Molly taken care of and being pampered for a change. 3mo
mcctrish @Bookwormjillk his line about not fussing over which of the lovers showed up made me laugh @dabbe I‘m glad the chapter ended with Molly thinking it wasn‘t half bad being sent to the Towers to convalesce 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly Poor Molly, having to miss her best friend‘s wedding! Good thing Lady Harriet has her in hand. And I think we know who‘s going to show up at the Towers soon… 3mo
34 likes7 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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ElizaMarie Mr Gibson is right—- Cynthia needs to be marred off ASAP. She creates too much drama otherwise (edited) 3mo
mcctrish @ElizaMarie Mr Henderson better stay on his toes 3mo
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Clare-Dragonfly Henderson seems like a perfect match for Cynthia. Shallow, pretty, and persistent but not in an asshole way. Now let‘s get them married and out of Molly‘s way! 3mo
dabbe @mcctrish @ElizaMarie 🎯😂🎯😂🎯 3mo
dabbe @Clare-Dragonfly Time for both of them to exit stage left! 3mo
willaful I'm bummed that I was wrong about Roger but I'm sure he'll get there. Cynthia is so obviously not what he thought her! 3mo
rubyslippersreads @willaful Cynthia doesn‘t seem like the best wife for an intrepid explorer who will be on another continent for long periods of time. 🤣 3mo
Bookwormjillk Catching up and this was definitely a wait? What? chapter. #whiplash 3mo
37 likes9 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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julieclair Au revoir, Cynthia. Good riddance! 3mo
Bookwormjillk Is she really going to Russia or is that her time period‘s way of threatening to run away from home? Also worried Rog will marry Osborne‘s wife. 3mo
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AllDebooks Cheerio Cynthia, you won't be missed. Take Mama with you, please? 3mo
BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk ugh that occurred to me as well, and I could totally see Roget doing it! 3mo
mcctrish @AllDebooks yes, a 2 for 1 deal 👏🏻👏🏻 3mo
mcctrish @Bookwormjillk I was worried for a moment but Roger is remembering Osborne‘s words about Molly so 🤞🏻 3mo
Cuilin If Osborne cannot see the good in Molly he doesn‘t deserve her!! 3mo
dabbe I think Cynthia and Henderson are PERFECT for each other. Get married, and go gently into that good night. And yes, take mamma with you. Doc Gibson won't miss her one bit. 3mo
willaful Maybe it's because this chapter reminded me of An Old-Fashioned Girl, but I have a suspicion Roger has already been thinking of Molly and wants to talk to Cynthia because he needs to make sure she's really going to release him.

I also worry about him marrying Aimee, but I think the story is going to have a happy ending. 🤞
3mo
Bklover @dabbe 🩵💙🩵💙⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3mo
ElizaMarie I‘m sorry about Rodger and Aime 3mo
36 likes12 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Lcsmcat The problem with ebooks. If you throw it across the room (or anywhere else) you lose your whole library. 3mo
BarkingMadRead @Lcsmcat takes all the fun right out of it 🙄🤣 3mo
See All 15 Comments
mcctrish @Lcsmcat it‘s just not fair!!!! 3mo
mcctrish These vague illnesses drive me insane 3mo
ElizaMarie Molly better not die!!!! Ugh!!!!! 3mo
Ruthiella @Lcsmcat 😂😂😂 3mo
Ruthiella I do love how Cynthia comes home when she is (finally) made aware. She does genuinely care about Molly. 3mo
eeclayton @Ruthiella I noticed that, too. And she's a better nurse than Mrs G. 3mo
willaful Cynthia has her flaws but she know better than anyone that being tended by her mother would probably make Molly die from sheer despair. 3mo
Bookwormjillk I can‘t figure out if I like Cynthia or not. 3mo
dabbe The stress has finally caught up with Molly. Poor thing. 😢 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly Oh yes, “Molly‘s worth is discovered” because everyone suddenly has to do without her… I do like that Cynthia rushed home as soon as she learned that Molly was really sick. 3mo
Bklover @mcctrish Yes! What‘s wrong with these people and why do they get some unspecified ailment and go to bed for weeks?! 3mo
mcctrish @willaful absolutely true 3mo
38 likes15 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Bookwormjillk Squire is coming around but is he planning to kidnap that baby or what? 3mo
BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk I have zero trust in him 3mo
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AllDebooks This was a tough chapter. Poor Aimee 😢 3mo
mcctrish Aimee better hang on, that house needs a woman in it 3mo
Cuilin @Bookwormjillk he certainly wants the boy but not his mother. Worrying. 3mo
Ruthiella The assumption that Aimee will be willing to leave her child is troubling. 3mo
julieclair How the Squire can just assume he has a right to keep the child and send its mother packing is beyond me. 3mo
dabbe How quickly the squire can also be like, “Oh, look, it's Osborne's mini-me! I'll love him like I never loved Osborne, and we'll just forget about where is mother came from.“ Seriously, the way these people cling to their heritage and family name is infuriating! 3mo
willaful @julieclair Horrifyingly, he might. In that time and place, he has everything going for him and she has nothing.

Molly is relying on her father to solve this problem but I bet he's going to let her down yet again.
3mo
Lcsmcat @julieclair Legally, in that day and age, children belonged to the Father. It kept many a woman in a miserable marriage to avoid losing her kids. 😔 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly Ugh, I‘m seriously disgusted with the squire for his assumption that he can just send Aimee back to France without her baby. 3mo
ElizaMarie It just all makas sense to the Squire- a new Osborn. 3mo
39 likes13 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Bookwormjillk Whew what a 🎢 Everyone behaving as predicted and the doc is like the trains are the real problem. 3mo
mcctrish I am very proud of the squire turning it around and there may have been a “no you may fucking not come with” spoken aloud to #cuntia to stay home and wallow in the brine of her own making 3mo
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Cuilin @mcctrish I would love that scene included. She needs a good talking to!! 3mo
Ruthiella @Cuilin Alas , I don‘t think it would stick. Mrs. Gibson is too much of a narcissist to change, I fear. 3mo
dabbe @mcctrish “wallow in the brine of her own making“ = #perfection 😂🩵😂 3mo
mcctrish @dabbe I got a good sleep last night ( until next door neighbour‘s car alarm went off at 6:15 am) so I‘m working with quite a few cylinders today 😆 #nottheusualhalfassedgongshow 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly #notarealclare continues to be the WORST! Oh yeah, she doesn‘t want anyone in her family accused of gold-digging… she needs to have that all to herself… 🙄 3mo
41 likes10 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Ruthiella Is anyone surprised? I know she‘s a creature of her mother‘s neglect and she has warned us repeatedly that she‘s incapable of loving another…but still it grates a bit. 3mo
dabbe She. Is. A. Piece. Of. Work. #cuntia 3mo
See All 8 Comments
Clare-Dragonfly What the heck? She can‘t stand anybody to know her sorry story unless she can use it to manipulate them, I guess. 3mo
mcctrish I am so mad #cuntia #notclare 🤬 not that she dumped Roger - I knew that was coming but her bloody attitude 3mo
willaful Hmm, am I alone in thinking Cynthia did the right thing in rejecting Roger? She knew she couldn't love him as he deserved to be loved.

Now that poor Osborne is gone, the pressure will definitely be on her to try and take it back. And Molly is going to have to say something about the baby...
3mo
ElizaMarie Now Molly is gonna have to come clean about another secret she is holding on to that isn't hers!! 3mo
Ruthiella @willaful No, of course she did the right thing because he needs to fall in love with Molly! 😂 But still, her not holding him as dearly as the reader and Molly do, rankles. 3mo
35 likes8 comments
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Ruthiella
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Pickpick

#hashtagbrigade
#allergictochunksters
#chunksterchallenge2025

I couldn‘t wait. I had to finish!🙈

This is a story of Molly Gibson whose life is changed by two major events: her introduction to the Hamelys of Hamley Hall and her father‘s hasty decision to remarry.

Love, loved, loved this chunky classic! Molly is often passive and put upon but there are lines she will not cross, and the reader loves her for her loyalty and her integrity.

BarkingMadRead I finished it as well 🤣🤣 3mo
Ruthiella @BarkingMadRead It was just too tempting! 😂😂 3mo
dabbe @BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella So did I! 😂😍😂 3mo
See All 9 Comments
julieclair I finished too! 😉 3mo
Amiable Yay! If you‘re gonna tackle a chunkster, it‘s always a plus if you actually love it . 🙌🏼 3mo
Ruthiella @dabbe I know! It was just too good to wait! 😂😍😂 3mo
Ruthiella @julieclair I am in good company! 😊 3mo
Ruthiella @Amiable So true! The pages just fly. 👍 3mo
dabbe @Ruthiella 🩵💙🩵 3mo
68 likes1 stack add9 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish Thank god papa knows the truth but the #terriblecs will not accept any condemnation re: bad choices they made or suffer the consequences 3mo
dabbe How I want Roger to find out! 3mo
ElizaMarie And she has rhe audacity to start being upset about what Molly‘s vague explanation to her father! She is the worst! Wonder how Rodger would find out - rumor or through Molly. 3mo
42 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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willaful Definitely a more comforting chapter! It seems like this should all work, unless The Terrible Cs foul it up somehow. 3mo
Bookwormjillk Wonder what will happen to Cynthia now 3mo
See All 11 Comments
Ruthiella Loved Harriet here using her powers for good. 3mo
eeclayton @willaful The Terrible Cs 😂 3mo
eeclayton I loved when Lady Harriet said “Mrs. Goodenough, or Badenough, who seems to have been propagating all these stories“ 😂 3mo
AllDebooks @eeclayton yes, very witty 👏 😆 3mo
AllDebooks To say how much time #NotClare has spent with Harriet et al, you would hope that a little of their grace and dignity would rub off on her, and by extension, her daughter. Not a chance! 3mo
julieclair I adore Lady Harriet! 3mo
mcctrish Lady Harriet is goals #terriblecs for the win 3mo
dabbe We all need a Lady Harriet in our corner! 🤩 3mo
38 likes11 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish #cuntia would look lovely under a bus and maybe 🤞🏻the third proposal is the charm and we can say goodbye to her for once and all ( Molly shouldn‘t have to keep all these secrets or pay their price ) 3mo
peanutnine I admire Molly for keeping the secret but Cynthia does not deserve it. I'm glad her father eventually believed her, although his anger at the beginning was not cool. Grabbing her and leaving bruises?! And then not caring that he hurt her?! For shame! I hope Molly is right and everyone will forget the rumors but I don't know that it will be that easy 3mo
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Bookwormjillk Cynthia definitely doesn‘t deserve this and would never do the same for Molly 3mo
AllDebooks @Bookwormjillk absolutely 💯 3mo
ElizaMarie Molly is just too good for her family! Cynthia needs to own up to her shit! But of course I higjlh doubt she will come clean on her own. I hope it all blows up in her face! 3mo
julieclair Molly is a truly good and loyal friend. It's just so unfair that she has to suffer because of her loyalty. 3mo
dabbe And I'm sorry I gave this chapter away in yesterday's post (the part where the dad grabs her). That part REALLY pissed me off. I also will say this not in defense of Cynthia (god, no!), but she knows she's an asshole and has said it multiple times. It's about time Molly wises up and recognizes this. Oh, lord, and please button up the mouths of all these biddies! Especially the stepmom. AUGH! 😵‍💫 3mo
34 likes8 comments
review
dabbe
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Pickpick

@BarkingMadRead #hashtagbrigade
WIVES AND DAUGHTERS is a masterful blend of domestic drama and social commentary, showcasing Gaskell‘s keen eye for human foibles and her empathy for even the most flawed characters. While its length and pacing may deter some, its depth and realism make it a standout in Victorian literature. Highly recommended for fans of MIDDLEMARCH, NORTH AND SOUTH, or lovers of Victorian literature in general.

julieclair Great review! 👍💙 3mo
TheBookHippie It‘s such a good read. 3mo
DGRachel I‘ve had this on my shelf for ages. I loved both Middlemarch and North and South. I really need to dump my TBR one month soon and read the big books. 3mo
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dabbe @julieclair TY! 💙🩵💙 3mo
dabbe @TheBookHippie I have loved every book of hers I've read! Which one of hers is your favorite? 3mo
dabbe @DGRachel It's truly worth it. 3mo
BarkingMadRead Chapter a day is definitely the way to go….. until you binge read the end 🤣 3mo
dabbe @BarkingMadRead You said it! 🩵🎯🩵 3mo
BarkingMadRead I‘m like 6 chapters ahead right now. If i wasn‘t on vacay, I probably would have finished it 🤣 (edited) 3mo
Bookwormjillk I‘m really enjoying this one! It may be up there with Cranston at the end! 3mo
dabbe @TheBookHippie Now on the TBR! That was her first one, too! 😍 3mo
dabbe @Bookwormjillk 🩵🎯🩵 3mo
TheBookHippie @dabbe Yup. I really enjoy it. ♥️ 3mo
70 likes15 comments
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dabbe
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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#haikuaday
#haikuhive

I've been reading this with the #hashtagbrigade, and even though we're not supposed to finish until 7/29, I just had to finish it today. A haiku for Molly. She surely deserved one after all she endured. ♥️

She shields those she loves,
even when the town spurns her––
soiling her white dress.

julieclair I may do the same. I am loving this book! 3mo
dabbe @julieclair I read until 3 AM this morning. Well worth every minute of lost sleep. 😂 3mo
Ruthiella I love Molly. She‘s now officially one of my favorite heroines! 3mo
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dabbe @Ruthiella Me, too! 🤩 3mo
JenlovesJT47 Gah I‘m so behind on my required Litsy reading! Really wanted to get to this one. Great haiku!! ♥️♥️♥️ 3mo
AnnCrystal 👏🏼🐝👌🏼📚🐝💝. 3mo
lil1inblue I haven't read this, but your haiku makes me want to! 🤩 🥰 3mo
dabbe @JenlovesJT47 Me, too! I also have the FOMA disease, so I join way too many! 3mo
dabbe @AnnCrystal 🖤🐝💛 3mo
dabbe @lil1inblue I've now read 3 of her books with the #hashtagbrigade (CRANFORD, RUTH, & WIVES AND DAUGHTERS) and loved all of them. 😍 3mo
55 likes10 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish This better end with #notclare and #Cuntia going up in flames 3mo
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AllDebooks @mcctrish 😅 We can hope 3mo
julieclair I‘m pleased with Phoebe and the Doc, and rather disappointed in Miss Browning for believing the gossip. She should know better. 3mo
Cuilin Surprised at how well Gibson took it and trusted Molly. @mcctrish 🤞 3mo
eeclayton I was glad to see Ms Browning didn't believe Phoebe's news; but then she goes to this Mrs Dawes, talks to her, and considers the rumour confirmed? That's your research, Miss B? 😡
I'm glad Mr Gibson has been notified, but I'm afraid Molly won't tell him all, since she promised Cynthia 😨
3mo
willaful What is this “fainting in his arms“ nonsense?! Ugh, what an awful chapter. And Preston will just make it worse, I bet. And #NotClare will respond utterly horribly too. 3mo
Bklover @julieclair Yes!👍 👏🙌 3mo
peanutnine Loved the Brownings in this chapter! Stand up for our girl!! I agree with @eeclayton though, she wavered in her faith too quickly 3mo
Bookwormjillk Very worried #NotClare will throw Molly under the bus 3mo
dabbe @mcctrish OMG #cuntia .... 😂😂😂 3mo
dabbe @BarkingMadRead 🩵🎯🩵 3mo
dabbe In my #WDNC voice: “We do not care that Mr. Gibson tightly grabbed Molly's arms and left them bruised.“ I did read that correctly, right? And goshdarnit I had to go and finish the book! 😅 3mo
BarkingMadRead @dabbe I‘m about 5 chapters ahead 🤣 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly I can‘t stand that Mrs. Goodenough! Starting rumors and then blaming Molly for having rumors told about her! I hereby declare her #notgoodenough 😡😡😡 3mo
mcctrish @Clare-Dragonfly #notgoodenough is correct and @peanutnine same @dabbe 😇 3mo
ElizaMarie Ugh!!! Ugh!!!!! —— These people!!!!! Molly is doomed! They are gonna throw her under the bus to save their reputations and she is not gonna see it coming!!! (not reading ahead- keeping on track) 3mo
42 likes18 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish I. Just. Can‘t. 3mo
Cuilin I may have read on. I couldn‘t deal with the anxiety of not knowing. 🤦‍♀️ 3mo
See All 23 Comments
BarkingMadRead @Cuilin I‘m 💯 about to do the same 🤣 3mo
Bookwormjillk I had a feeling this pic was coming today when I saw the title. Poor Molly. They‘re so wrong about everything but that won‘t change their gossip from becoming truth. One of my favorite sayings at work when I‘m mentoring: Don‘t believe everything you think. (Say it to myself often too.) 3mo
BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk you know I love this pic 🤣🤣 3mo
Bklover Strange how quickly people that really know Molly are ready to believe the worst! 3mo
Ruthiella What‘s the picture from? 🤔 3mo
AllDebooks It makes me so mad, that Molly is trying to help Cynthia but is just being used and manipulated. 3mo
Sace @Ruthiella I have decided it‘s from a stage production of The Music Man. The song being Pick a little Talk a Little. But I could be wrong. 3mo
BarkingMadRead @ruthiella @Sace yup, a stage production of music man. The film pics were a little blurry 3mo
Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead the moment when I went to see The Music Man at my son‘s high school and suddenly the world made sense. 3mo
julieclair @Bklover Yes! Why are people like that? It‘s so mean-spirited. 3mo
eeclayton @Bklover @julieclair That's exactly what I thought, too. They should know better! 3mo
dabbe I guess gossiping was their entertainment. Why not read a book or two, ol' bitties? And Cynthia can just go off into the sunset with all of her male dogs lapping at her heels. Then, get rid of the stepmom and all will be well. Only if Molly is forgiven for her transgression in helping a self-centered narcissist. Yeah, I think I'll be reading ahead. 3mo
dabbe And this picture is PERFECTION!!! 😍 3mo
BarkingMadRead @dabbe I‘ve definitely read ahead 🙈 3mo
rubyslippersreads That Molly! She must have made “brazen overtures” to Mr. Preston. (Not Robert, though.) 🤣 3mo
Lcsmcat @Cuilin Same! 3mo
Lcsmcat @Bklover I know, but at least her Dad stood up for her. 3mo
ElizaMarie Picture is perfect!!! 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly I wonder what the gentle ladies of Hollingford think of Chaucer, Rabelais, and Balzac. 🤔 3mo
rubyslippersreads @Clare-Dragonfly Dirty books! 😂 3mo
43 likes23 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Cuilin Worried about Osborne. I wonder if he has a son ( next in line to inherit) hmm? And Cynthia is so disappointing!! 3mo
ElizaMarie The urge to read tomorrows‘s chapter is strong—- I do work tomorrow so that might be my excuse 3mo
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mcctrish I‘m worried about Osborne, I‘m worried about Molly, I‘m worried about Roger. I am not worried about Cynthia, I am not worried about Preston, I am not worried about #notclare they can ROT! I need Molly to tell her father everything so she has someone in her corner when this all blows up in her face because I know 3 people who will just look the other way #tsktsking #poormotherlessgirl 3mo
AllDebooks Confession - I have zero willpower. I read ahead just a few chapters, so I thought. No, Debs, you've finished it. 🙈 3mo
dabbe @AllDebooks Your restrain in not clueing us in is beyond admirable! 🙌🏻💙🙌🏻 3mo
Cuilin @dabbe @alldebooks so tempting!!! 3mo
Cuilin @mcctrish yes. I have all the worries too. 3mo
Bklover @AllDebooks It‘s so hard to stop! 😬 3mo
Bookwormjillk I was behind so read two chapters today. But what if I fall behind again tomorrow? Surely one more won‘t hurt… 3mo
willaful Of course Molly can't tell her father because she promised Cynthia... ARGH! 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly Gah. I have been mostly sympathetic towards Cynthia but she is being so manipulative! My patience is growing thin. I wonder if she‘s going to up and marry this Henderson guy? But I would be less than surprised if #notarealclare were wildly exaggerating his feelings. 3mo
Bklover I thought it was interesting how Cynthia got the letters back! I thought that it would drag on for a while longer, at least. 3mo
43 likes14 comments
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mcctrish
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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#hashtagbrigade at this point in the story we are not reading fast enough!!! I have read ahead to tomorrow‘s ch 45 and I am losing my shit over how callous and self centred Cynthia is - like every chapter SHE IS WORSE! If Molly ends up dead because of the usual Victorian nonsense re:there is no coming back from trial and tribulations and that narcissist ( #notclare) and her soul sucking offspring live on I will implode FFS🤬

dabbe OMG, I'm scared to read further! I think I'll lose my shit, too! 😮‍💨 3mo
mcctrish @dabbe at the least we need 2 chapters a day - I can‘t live like this 3mo
dabbe @mcctrish 😂🎯😂 3mo
Cuilin Agreed!!! So disappointed in Cynthia. 3mo
36 likes4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish Well now the village has proof 🤬 3mo
willaful Ugh, this really *won't* end well. I'm so scared for Molly. 3mo
See All 12 Comments
Cuilin I‘ve said it before, and I‘ll say it again (picturing Whopie Goldberg in Ghost) “Molly, you in danger girl” 3mo
Lcsmcat Poor innocent Molly. It‘s not always good to keep girls so innocent. 3mo
Bklover Oops. I read the wrong chapter. I read tomorrow‘s. 😬😬😬😬 3mo
dabbe @Bklover It's getting harder not to read ahead! 😂 3mo
Bklover @dabbe- yes! ❤️ 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly Oh dear oh dear oh dear. 3mo
julieclair Oh my. Molly's going to get a *reputation* . And she's so innocent. 😢 3mo
ElizaMarie Molly is just too good for this “world” 3mo
49 likes12 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Ruthiella This echoes Clare‘s behavior at Towers when Molly is a little girl. Out of sight, out of mind. Clare is negligent unless the requestor is titled. I do feel for Cynthia. 3mo
Bookwormjillk Grrrr Clare. Love that we are actually getting information in these chapters though. @Ruthiella good callback to Towers. 3mo
See All 15 Comments
AllDebooks Out of all the characters, #NotClare is the worst by far. Vile, conceited, narcissistic piece of work. And that is me being nice. 🤬 3mo
Cuilin Not winning mother of the year #NotClare My gosh the neglect!! and then Preston‘s predatory behaviour. Ugh 😡 @AllDebooks totally narcissistic. 3mo
ElizaMarie @AllDebooks yes yes yes!!! She sucks!!!! 3mo
Clare-Dragonfly @mcctrish Yes! That‘s where they belong 😡 3mo
rubyslippersreads Does anyone else think Clare had set her cap for Preston, not realizing he only had eyes for Cynthia? 3mo
Bklover @mcctrish Yes! And I‘ll drive the bus 🚍 3mo
eeclayton @rubyslippersreads that's what I thought, too 3mo
julieclair @rubyslippersreads Yes! I thought the same thing. 3mo
39 likes15 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Bookwormjillk This freaking guy indeed. Poor Cynthia. 4mo
mcctrish Well now we know what the money is for - I think Molly should tell her dad. 4mo
See All 8 Comments
Ruthiella Ugh. He is so creepy. 4mo
Cuilin Ugh 🤮 that‘s coercive behavior not love. What a vile human. 4mo
eeclayton What a despicable person 🤮 4mo
dabbe He creeps me out just like D'Urberville did. 🤢 3mo
ElizaMarie What a garbage human! Loaning money if she promised herself to him!? And not even allow her to pay for her freedom! @mcctrish I agree Doc needs to know 3mo
41 likes8 comments
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Bookwormjillk
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Inspired by yesterday‘s chapter of Wives and Daughters eating lunch like my controlling stepmother got herself invited to London. #HashtagBrigade

TheBookHippie 🤣 4mo
Ruthiella 👏👏👏 4mo
Aims42 Love this! 4mo
dabbe 😍🙌🏻😍 3mo
61 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish What a ride this chapter was!!! Poor molly ( it‘s all I ever say) suffering through #notarealclare waxing on about all her grievances, worrying about Roger being ill, realizing Cynthia could care less about Roger, having the Brown Owls chastize her over Mr Preston whom she hasn‘t seen since she was at the Towers? I love that when #thebrownowls list all the things they will do, she replies “yes, do it, of course” (edited) 4mo
BarkingMadRead @mcctrish that was pretty badass of Molly, actually. I was proud of her 4mo
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mcctrish @BarkingMadRead right? Shutting down that rant! Meanwhile stupid #notarealclare is all “I‘d rather Mr Preston came to call than these two “ OMG 4mo
Cuilin For Molly being weak and “sickly looking” she can certainly shut down an awkward conversation. What letter was Cynthia hiding? 4mo
eeclayton @Cuilin I was wondering about that letter, too 🤔 4mo
dabbe I am so worried that Molly is going to somehow end up in the same situation as Maggie Tulliver from THE MILL, not because she's actually gone away with a man but because these gossiping biddies are going to spread that rumor, and her reputation will be ruined in this small town. WTF with these Victorian women? 😮‍💨 4mo
willaful @dabbe I don't think the author is going to be that cruel to us, but who knows?

Wasn't it hard not to read onto the next chapter?! Seems like some answers may be coming. Operative word, “may.“ 😂
4mo
Clare-Dragonfly Seems like #notarealclare and Mrs. Tulliver from The Mill on the Floss ought to trade daughters! Or at least trade their hair… Cynthia says she‘s almost out of her trouble so hopefully she‘s almost done paying off Preston. But what could the paying off be about?! 4mo
dabbe @willaful 🩵🎯🩵 4mo
Bookwormjillk I finally got a chance to read this chapter. Molly certainly held her own! Go Molly! 4mo
45 likes11 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish I‘m so happy for Molly to feel happy ❤️ Cynthia is engaged to 2 men #thattracks is she using her money to pay off his debts and keep him quiet ? 4mo
Ruthiella I too am so pleased that Molly can spend some quality time with her father. The reader also feels the relief of Mrs. Gibson‘s absence. 4mo
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willaful @Ruthiella yes, very much so. Though I kind of hate all the kindly neighbors for not leaving them be. Again I'm reminded of Austen, this time in the way your time is not your own. 4mo
Cuilin The social calls are eating into #DaddyDaughterTime @Ruthiella yes I‘m enjoying my own break from Mrs Gibson 😆 (edited) 4mo
ElizaMarie That Cynthia - ugh! Her juggling men totally tracks @mcctrish 4mo
mcctrish @Ruthiella reading about #notarealclare processing how to get her way is exhausting 4mo
mcctrish @dabbe the cheese and bread lunch eaten from their laps is the precursor of KD eaten from the pot ✊🏻 4mo
Bookwormjillk I know what I‘m having for lunch tomorrow 🧀🥖☕️ 4mo
BookmarkTavern 😂😂😂😂😂😂 4mo
dabbe @mcctrish 🤩 4mo
willaful I just remembered, I was so confused by Molly's mother having also been named Preston. What an odd thing for an author to do, unless it's somehow going to be relevant to the plot, but since no one even remarks on it I don't think it is. 4mo
rubyslippersreads @willaful That confused me too. 4mo
60 likes14 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish Well we know #notarealclare will get her way, Cynthia‘s going to ever loving lose her shit as the circle widens regarding her betrothal, the squire will lose the family homestead for sure what with Osborne‘s poor French wife, imminent death ( I have no idea but I feel like this tragedy is going to be all or nothing) and Roger will have to marry Cynthia because everyone knows 4mo
BarkingMadRead @mcctrish 💯💯💯 4mo
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Ruthiella If you want something to be kept a secret , tell no one! Sheesh! Pretty soon everyone will know she‘s “engaged” sort of to Roger! 4mo
willaful Ugh, so manipulative! 4mo
dabbe #notarealclare is so manipulative! And she's so nauseatingly sweet on top of it that it makes her even more vicious! 😤 4mo
ElizaMarie @dabbe she is the worst!!! 4mo
dabbe @ElizaMarie 🎯🩵🎯 4mo
41 likes8 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish Things that make you go hmmm the money is tied to Preston #ijustknowit 4mo
Ruthiella What is this money for? Is she being blackmailed? 4mo
See All 13 Comments
Cuilin Was Cynthia promised to Preston? Was there money involved? Intriguing 🤨 4mo
willaful The blackmail theory is looking stronger and stronger. 4mo
eeclayton Is Cynthia old enough to have a secret child? I thought she might be sending money to support a child maybe? Or is this far-fetched? 4mo
dabbe @Ruthiella That's what I think! 🎯🩵🎯 4mo
willaful @eeclayton oooo, interesting theory... 4mo
ElizaMarie @mcctrish I agree- I think this has something to do with Preston 4mo
Clare-Dragonfly I agree with everyone that this must have something to do with Preston! But what? He can‘t need money, certainly not the little bits of money that she would be able to give him. And why? So mysterious… 4mo
rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella That was my first thought. 4mo
julieclair Ooohhhh…. @Cuilin , What an intriguing thought! 🤔 4mo
42 likes13 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish What a shit show!!!! Poor Molly 4mo
Bookwormjillk Coxe- rich now but hair is still red. 4mo
See All 18 Comments
dabbe The drama keeps thickening! I'd like to pull Cynthia's hair to make her really cry. 4mo
mcctrish I think we should rename this Men Being Dumb instead of wives and daughters 4mo
eeclayton @Bookwormjillk That comment cracked me up, too 😂 4mo
dabbe @Bookwormjillk 😂🎯😂 4mo
dabbe @mcctrish 😂🎯😂 4mo
BarkingMadRead @mcctrish I‘ve said it before (and got put in facebook jail for hate speech) #boysaredumb 4mo
mcctrish @BarkingMadRead Zuckerberg is a case in point 4mo
Cuilin @mcctrish agreed. All of the male characters are lacking in the smarts department. 4mo
Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead maybe you should have said boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider 4mo
Clare-Dragonfly @mcctrish Hahahaha, yes! After reading this you‘ll want to go to Cranford where the men all die! 4mo
mcctrish @Clare-Dragonfly if only we‘d read this one first, we‘d have felt so justified with every death in Cranford 4mo
ElizaMarie I can't with Cynthia- ugh!!! She is the worst 4mo
Bklover You‘re correct! There really isn‘t a man in this book who isn‘t a bit thick in the head. @mcctrish 4mo
julieclair These comments are cracking me up! 😂😂😂 4mo
33 likes18 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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willaful Ugh, Mr. Gibson making Molly lump it yet again... 4mo
mcctrish I just feel so bad for Molly and her dad, I‘m not sure they even realized they needed to watch for this conniving drama but papa seems to fit right in “you aren‘t the only one who can change their mind” #bitchplease 4mo
See All 6 Comments
Clare-Dragonfly #notarealclare can squeeze drama into anything! 4mo
ElizaMarie @Clare-Dragonfly she has a gift 4mo
Bklover #notarealclare seems to create drama just to entertain herself. 4mo
41 likes6 comments
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AllDebooks
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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My favourite ginger companion, Ronnie, cuddled up to listen to the tagged for #hashtagbrigade for a quiet #HyggeHour readathon.

#CatsofLitsy #TheRonald

kspenmoll Em & Poe will be with me too! 4mo
AllDebooks @kspenmoll 🐾❤️🐾 4mo
AnnCrystal 💕💤😻🐾💝. 4mo
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PurpleyPumpkin So sweet!😻🐾💜 4mo
dabbe What a face! 🖤🐾🖤 4mo
Leftcoastzen I miss my ginger kitty ! He‘s so cute!🥰 4mo
58 likes7 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish Well that was eye opening for Mr Gibson #atlast #notarealclare and Cynthia #worstchristiannameever 😆😆 according to Squire are both in a snit because their conniving is falling flat! Does Cynthia want to keep it a secret in general ( to catch bigger fish) or is this Preston related do you think? 4mo
AllDebooks I think it's completely Preston related. 4mo
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Cuilin “I‘m not saying she was silly, but one of us was silly, and it wasn‘t me” 😆 I think Cynthia is hiding her “engagement” from Preston. But why? 4mo
Bookwormjillk @Cuilin I loved that part 😂😂😂 4mo
Ruthiella I think it is Preston related as well. There‘s something going on there that both Cynthia and Mrs. Gibson are trying to hide. 4mo
dabbe @Ruthiella 🎯🎯🎯! I'm thinking if Osborne can secretly be married, so could Cynthia and Preston! Or he's blackmailing her somehow. Didn't she check her money once and was worried about not having enough? 4mo
dabbe This is the BEST PIC for this chapter! 😂😂😂 4mo
Bklover @dabbe Yes! 🎯 4mo
Ruthiella @dabbe Exactly! Something is up! 4mo
willaful @dabbe oooo, maybe!

I wonder what Mrs. G would be diagnosed with these days? Narcissism? Is she a sociopath? Other people's feelings mean diddly to her.

It would be nice if Mr. G made use of his new info about his wife to take better care of his poor daughter instead of just being irritable!
4mo
ElizaMarie @willaful I would say she is a narcissist 4mo
dabbe @willaful 🎯🎯🎯! 4mo
Lcsmcat @dabbe @willaful I think Preston is blackmailing her for something. Just not sure what yet. 4mo
dabbe @Lcsmcat 🎯🩵🎯 4mo
julieclair I agree about the blackmail. But the thought of a secret marriage is intriguing! @Lcsmcat @dabbe 4mo
dabbe @julieclair IKR? 😍 4mo
peanutnine @dabbe ooo I like the blackmail theory. It explains the tension between them a bit better 4mo
40 likes18 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Lcsmcat OK, this is the first time I haven‘t liked Molly. How can you not like blackberries?!?! 😀 4mo
Lcsmcat That said, poor Molly! 4mo
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Cuilin Oh sweet poor Molly. 💔 Also a lot can happen in two years!! (edited) 4mo
Bookwormjillk Poor Molly. Even if Cynthia doesn‘t marry him he‘s ruined for her now. 4mo
mcctrish How are we getting out of this?! Argh I can‘t stand #notarealclare and by extension Cynthia 4mo
ElizaMarie “even you must acknowledge he's very plain and awkward; and I like pretty things and pretty people." —- she brutal 4mo
dabbe Cynthia is reminding me more and more of Estella from GREAT EX. And I want to hit Roger over the head to wake him up to what goodness is right in front of him. 😩 4mo
willaful @ElizaMarie Points for honesty I guess? 🙄

I was saddened by Molly's feelings about her father, and about how hard it is to live with someone you know is dishonest. All of her most important values -- love, loyalty, integrity -- are being stomped on constantly by this woman and her father just aims for a peaceful life. It's a bit of a Cinderella story except with no way for anyone else to see it if they don't want to.
4mo
julieclair I‘m hoping Roger will come to his senses in the jungles of South America, and realize he has truly loved Molly all along. Then comes home, dumps Cynthia, and convinces Molly of his true love for her. 4mo
rubyslippersreads Cynthia says, “someone else may turn up, and say I‘m engaged to him.” Preston? 4mo
Bookwormjillk @julieclair and inherits all the money 4mo
Bklover @rubyslippersreads Oooh, I hadn‘t thought of that! I‘m wondering if Preston and Cynthia may just deserve each other. (Unless he turns out to be a serial killer!). 4mo
willaful @julieclair He wouldn't though. 🙄 He'd be too honorable to break it off. 4mo
julieclair @willaful Darn. You're right. Cynthia will have to dump him. 4mo
julieclair @Bookwormjillk Yes! The money would make it even more perfect! 4mo
peanutnine @rubyslippersreads @Bklover I feel like Cynthia and Preston have some history, either he proposed and she turned him down or they're secretly engaged or something 4mo
43 likes17 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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willaful I KNEW IT! About why NotClare her mind about Roger. She is so gross! 4mo
Cuilin This book is so good. My mind is going in so many different directions. But what if…. And then…, and therefore…that would mean …. Fabulous!! 4mo
See All 20 Comments
willaful NotClare absolutely deserves to marry Cynthia off to Roger and then be upstaged by Osborne's heir. Except that would be too cruel to Roger. I hope he gets over this infatuation. 4mo
mcctrish @willaful I hope #notarealclare marries Cynthia off in the next 2 years #rogerhastomarryformoney 4mo
dabbe I'm still in the hopeful Molly + Roger camp. 🤞🏻 4mo
Bookwormjillk Doc handled the squire perfectly. That‘s the kind of thing I would only think to say hours later when I was fuming in bed unable to sleep. 4mo
Butterfinger I adore Jonathan Bailey. 4mo
Clare-Dragonfly Yikes. I hope Mr. Gibson is wrong about Osborne‘s illness. After all, he doesn‘t have the full picture. 4mo
mcctrish @Clare-Dragonfly if Osborne is sick Roger needs to make sure all the paperwork is legit re:the marriage 4mo
rubyslippersreads @Butterfinger Me too. This picture certainly brightened up my day. 😁 4mo
BarkingMadRead @Butterfinger @rubyslippersreads I‘m obsessed, he was really good in Jurassic world, so fun to watch 4mo
Lcsmcat @dabbe Me too! Cynthia would not make anyone happy ultimately. She‘s too shallow. 4mo
willaful @dabbe Oh absolutely! That would be the happy ending. But I also don't want him to marry Cynthia, because she's not capable of making him happy. 4mo
dabbe @Lcsmcat 🎯🩵🎯 4mo
dabbe @willaful 🩵🎯🩵 4mo
Clare-Dragonfly @mcctrish But Roger has just gone off on his new dangerous job… 😬 4mo
mcctrish @Clare-Dragonfly I know! Did he have time ? If Roger is Jonathon Bailey, and I sure hope he is despite the squire‘s descriptions of him, he needs to stay safe and come home and marry Molly 4mo
ElizaMarie @Bookwormjillk :) I like to relive convos in the shower 🚿 4mo
julieclair I am definitely on Team Molly + Roger! 4mo
43 likes20 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Bookwormjillk The whole Ozzy I let my friend who can't tell the difference between France and Rome take care of the paperwork it's fine thing had me rolling. Poor Roger. 4mo
mcctrish Why is Osborne so dumb? Aimee needs to give her head a shake 4mo
See All 13 Comments
willaful I loved this line: “if this ungenerous though of Osborne's had been set clearly before his conscience, he would have smote his breast and cried 'Mea culpa' with the best of them; it was only that he was too indolent to keep an unassisted conscience.“ 4mo
julieclair I feel like I‘m saying #poormolly in every chapter. I just want to reach through the pages and give her a hug! And give everyone else a good talking to. 4mo
dabbe And the fact that Molly wants Roger to be happy--even at the expense of her happiness-- just gets me. 😩 Harriet sees what a gem she is. I cling to that. 4mo
Clare-Dragonfly OSBORNE. 4mo
Lcsmcat @willaful “unassisted conscience” isa great phrase! 4mo
willaful @dabbe Harriet seems very perceptive, except she seems to accept #NotARealClare at face value... 4mo
ElizaMarie @julieclair and @dabbe Molly is too good for all of them! 4mo
Bklover @dabbe Those are my thoughts exactly. I think Cynthia sees Molly too. Cynthia just seems to be rather broken. 4mo
dabbe @Bklover Agree 💯. 4mo
37 likes13 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Ruthiella Why the about-face? What is Mrs. Gibson up to? 4mo
Lcsmcat No spoilers, but I‘ve read ahead (sorry!) and Mrs G hasn‘t suddenly developed character. 4mo
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Cuilin @Lcsmcat why am I not surprised! 4mo
Cuilin @Ruthiella does she know about Osborne so she‘s moved on to the younger son, perhaps? 4mo
Cuilin It‘s nice to see Mr Hamley appreciate Roger but who tells one son the other son used to be his favorite?? #ParentFail 4mo
AllDebooks @Lcsmcat no surprises there! Scheming minx 4mo
mcctrish Roger is just doomed - only has fellowship if he doesn‘t marry but still courts Cynthia and gives all of his money to O. #hambleyofhambley has got a real thorn in his side with the French 🎶I was defeated, you won the war🎶 why can‘t he be a gracious winner ? I‘m happy he‘s proud of Roger but my heart still breaks for Molly 4mo
willaful @Cuilin The Squire is one big #ParentFail! 4mo
ElizaMarie @Cuilin ha! I thought that same :( like a backhanded complement there. 4mo
29 likes11 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Ruthiella I totally missed this when reading. I love this kind of trivia. Thanks for looking it up! 4mo
ElizaMarie @Ruthiella Yeah me too! 4mo
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AllDebooks And me. Great info. Thanks. 4mo
AllDebooks The squire and his rages are next level! He needs to cool his lid before he has a stroke. Although I did feel sorry for him, could have been misplaced grief at the loss of Mrs H. 4mo
willaful The squire definitely has a lot of issues. I don't want to be on Preston's side but the squire kinda deserved what he got. 4mo
Bookwormjillk Roger to the rescue. 4mo
TheAromaofBooks @AllDebooks - I definitely think he is grieving, and at a time where men especially aren't supposed to be sad/weak/etc. It doesn't excuse his bad behavior and bad decisions, but I think it gives them some context!! 4mo
Lcsmcat Now I‘m going to be looking for excuses to use that phrase! 4mo
mcctrish The deaths are starting to roll in 😆😆 the Squire never got out of his terrible 2s 4mo
32 likes11 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish I don‘t even know what to say other than Mr Gibson is right, Osborne needs to tell his dad everything and #notarealclare can stop her schemeing 4mo
Ruthiella Osborn! “No one will give me a job” boo hoo. He COULD manage the estate he is going to inherit instead of try to sell his (probably not very good) poetry. 4mo
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eeclayton @Ruthiella Agreed. He isn't even trying to get a job, he's just spending other people's money and feeling sorry for himself. 4mo
Bklover @mcctrish I can hardly wait for the scene when #notarealclare finds out! 4mo
mcctrish @Bklover the furies will be unleashed 4mo
mcctrish @Ruthiella poor Osborne born too soon for a #gofundme 4mo
willaful I'm wondering if #NotARealClare is encouraging Roger now because she thinks Osborne is going to die. And what if Osborne does die and his expected baby is a secret heir! Would explain why the book is so damn long. 😂 4mo
Ruthiella @mcctrish 😂😂😂 4mo
mcctrish @willaful so drawn out and not nearly the death count we are used to 4mo
ElizaMarie @MccTrish and @Willaful - Yes! I thought there would be more deaths! 4mo
ElizaMarie @MccTrish and @Willaful - Yes! I thought there would be more deaths! 4mo
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish I am spiralling after this chapter - #notarealclare is soooooo obnoxious, Molly is so sweet, Roger is a dumbass, what is up with Cynthia?! My favourite quote is Osborne “I believe my movements are guided more by the lunar calendar than the floral” trying to shut #notarealclare down 4mo
Bookwormjillk @mcctrish Ozzy seems to be the only one who knows what is going on. So weird. 4mo
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mcctrish @Bookwormjillk he‘s one of the few that knows his back story 😆 4mo
willaful I was a little confused by the section about “Mrs Gibson's cautious and quiet efforts to forward the catastrophe.“ Is she trying to get Osborne to compromise Cynthia so they have to get married? Truly that would be a catastrophe. 4mo
BarkingMadRead @willaful I would not be surprised in the least #anythingforwedding 4mo
ElizaMarie Another reminder that Rodger is not the Golden Boy Osborne. 4mo
Clare-Dragonfly @willaful I think in this case “catastrophe” is more of a synonym of “climax” or “resolution” than “terrible thing.” But I‘m sure Mrs. Gaskell had both meanings in mind! 4mo
julieclair @mcctrish “Spiraling” is the perfect word to describe how I‘m feeling after this chapter, too. 4mo
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Bookwormjillk It's a long book. I feel like repeats are allowed. 4mo
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peanutnine Roger has the patience of a saint. I'd be so annoyed with my father and brother at this point 🙄 4mo
mcctrish @peanutnine facts!!! I‘m ready to bludgeon the old fart!!! Osborne should bring the French catholic home sooner than later to finish him off 4mo
ElizaMarie And the father being all - I was Hangry 4mo
Bklover @mcctrish 😂😂😂Yes!! 4mo
julieclair Osborne is not my favorite, but I give him some credit for trying to drum it into his father‘s head that the invitation really is for Roger, on Roger‘s own merit. 4mo
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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Ruthiella What is this mystery about Mr. Preston? Also, I also love the Browning sisters! 4mo
mcctrish I LOVE that everyone was aggrieved and defrauded by the late arrival hour and poor dress of the wealthy and the duchess. Preston and #notarealclare are the snobbiest, ill tempered social climbers anywhere 4mo
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peanutnine I'm beginning to really like Lady Harriet, and how she "learned her lesson" from Molly. I love how her familiarity with Molly and the Browning sisters annoys #notarealclare so much 4mo
willaful Oh man! I used to have paper dolls of the women in that picture! Dover published them.

I'm suspecting that #NotARealClare set her cap at Mr. Preston but he wanted Cynthia. 🤢 And he seems to have some power over them, so maybe he knows something damaging. Possibly he did something damaging. 😬
4mo
eeclayton I read the fourth hashtag as “the tower screw appears“ 😂 4mo
Bookwormjillk @eeclayton me too! That one took me a minute. 😂

It's always a good day when we get to the ball in one of these chapter a day reads.
4mo
Bklover @eeclayton Me too! 4mo
Bklover @peanutnine Yes!!!! 4mo
Lcsmcat @eeclayton 😂😂 4mo
Lcsmcat @willaful I had those too, but mine was a coloring book. 4mo
willaful @Lcsmcat There was nothing Dover couldn't do with copyright-free media. 😂 4mo
willaful I actually tagged the wrong one, it was this. 4mo
Clare-Dragonfly Ugh, Preston is such a creep!!! 4mo
Cuilin I‘m playing catch up. I do like that the gossip was called Mrs. Hornblower. 4mo
dabbe @eeclayton OMG, so did I! 😂 4mo
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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ElizaMarie I am curious about the story behind Preston 4mo
Bklover I have to admit I rather enjoyed Clare getting snubbed! 4mo
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willaful Cynthia definitely has something of her mother's ruthless disregard for other people's feelings, though she did try to make up for it.

@Bklover Yes, some satisfaction. Wow, there aint no climber like a social climber 'cause a social climber don't stop!
4mo
dabbe @Bklover 🎯🩵🎯! 4mo
mcctrish #notarealclare and Cynthia are double trouble imo @ElizaMarie I too am very curious about the mystery surrounding Preston ( I am happy the note came from him and not Roger ) 4mo
julieclair @ElizaMarie @mcctrish Me too. I really want to know what their story is. 4mo
julieclair This ball is going to be so much fun! #WhatCouldGoWrong #ThePossibilitiesAreEndless 4mo
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BarkingMadRead
Wives and Daughters | Elizabeth Gaskell
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mcctrish What a gong show! He likes her, she likes him, he‘s married to a French girl and Molly is left out 4mo
Bookwormjillk Poor Molly indeed 4mo
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dabbe @mcctrish I see some major emotional explosion coming soon down the Hollingford road! 4mo
willaful Before I was getting Emma vibes, now I'm getting Mansfield Park vibes. 4mo
Bklover Osborne and Roger can be such idiots! Poor Molly! 4mo
Lcsmcat @willaful Very Mansfield Park-like! Except Molly has more spirit than Fanny. 4mo
willaful @Lcsmcat She's no Fanny but she may be just as bad at being in a love-triangle. No idea what to do at all, poor dear. 4mo
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