Cranford | Litsy

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

so-so

The format of this novel was very different from the other Gaskell works I've read and am used to. It isn't very stimulating to read. The book isn't plot or character-driven but is formatted as vaguely connected vignettes.

Doppoetry The book gently criticizes Victorian society and what I would call “cottage-core“ and the refusal of the upper-class ladies to “get with the times“ because change is scary and the stagnation of the little town is preferable to the older generation. 7mo

3 likes1 comment

Doppoetry

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

#Bookreport

📚Currently reading:

🎧The Terror
🎧Cranford

Progress:
Last week has been a bit chaotic so I haven't finished The Terror like I initially planned, but hopefully this week it will be finished. Picked up Cranford and it has been delightful but a bit uneventful so far.

4 likes

Doppoetry

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

My second #Victober read, probably gonna stretch this out to a chapter a day.

4 likes

Cuilin

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

#CoverLove #LightBlue

Embossed book is the tagged book.

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Love the statuette/bookend 🩵🩵 9mo

Leftcoastzen What a beautiful photo! 9mo

48 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

In #May , I think Cranford was the standout for me. I loved the series that appeared on PBS years ago - Judi Dench in Cranford!! - so I was very excited to read the original work by Gaskell. What fun! I loved the interactions with the village residents, the scandals (!), but also the camaraderie the friends have. A very enjoyable book. #12BooksOf2023

Andrew65

Andrew65 A true classic. 1y

AnnR Great review of Cranford! I also love this book and the PBS mini-series. 1y

Librarybelle @AnnR ❤️❤️❤️ 1y

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TheBookHippie I loved this one ! 1y

Ruthiella Totally agree. This was a five star read for me! 1y

Librarybelle It was so fun! @TheBookHippie @Ruthiella 1y

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Jess_Read_This

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

I spotted a well loved edition of Cranford in the library of Meadowbrook Hall. I asked the docent if the family read the books in the library or collected books. I was told the books were the family‘s books, they indeed read them, however, there was a secret staircase leading to a loft for the less visually appealing paperbacks. I said “Oh, the books they didn‘t want people seeing they read?” and the docent didn‘t find me funny. She said no.

DGRachel 😂 Yes. The answer is yes. (and I think that‘s hysterical) 1y

rubyslippersreads Their guilty pleasures. 😂 1y

Tamra 😂 The books we the little people read? Honestly, I vastly prefer paperbacks. 1y

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Ruthiella Honestly if people were touring my home I would probably also only show the books I wanted people to be impressed by! 😂 1y

LeahBergen 😆😆 The hidden Danielle Steels. 1y

Jess_Read_This @Ruthiella lol! Agreed. My kindle is the warehouse for my not so proud moment collection of books 🤣 1y

Jess_Read_This @LeahBergen 🥴I might have a few of that genre hidden around the house. 1y

Jess_Read_This @DGRachel Me too! 😂 1y

Jess_Read_This @rubyslippersreads I‘ve definitely got my guilty pleasure reading too 😂 1y

Jess_Read_This @Tamra 😂 yes to us little people 1y

Jess_Read_This Apologies for the late replies! Between the holidays and then Litsy not working for me (I kept getting a white screen), I was delayed in getting back to the app 1y

44 likes11 comments

Clare-Dragonfly

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

I was at an event in a building that used to be a theater last night. They had a lot of cool old signs up advertising the plays. I couldn‘t resist getting a picture of this one for the #pemberlittens!

17 likes

dabbe

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

#Book2Book @ALLDEBOOKS

Open to all who signed up using the form in #AllDeBook's original post. 🤗

@LiteraryinLawrence, @Soubhiville, @Cuilin, @TheBookHippie, @Lizpixie, @Clwojick, @Chrissyreadit, @BookwormAHN, @CSeydel, @julieclair, @Catsandbooks, @bcncookbookclub, @TheAromaofBooks, @Tineke, @Bookish_Gal, @KateReadsYA

CSeydel Yes ☺️ 2y

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Andrea313

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Added a new Chiltern to the collection today! Sadly I'm a smidge too late to enjoy it along with the #PemberLittens but I still can't wait to dig into this GORGEOUS edition. #ChilternClassics #BookHoarder #NewIn

Ruthiella That‘s a beautiful edition! 😍 2y

dabbe Absolutely stunning. 🤩🤩🤩 2y

IndoorDame Gorgeous!!! 2y

BkClubCare Very pretty 2y

34 likes4 comments

peanutnine

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

Super behind on reviews but I really enjoyed this story about the Cranford ladies. The characters were entertaining and I found myself smiling at all their silly antics.
Of course, reading along with the #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade made it even more enjoyable ☺️

45 likes

julieclair

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

Witty and lighthearted, a delightful read. The pros and cons (but mostly pros) of female friendship and gossipy small town life are examined with realistic humor. Jane Austen's influence on Elizabeth Gaskell is very much in evidence. Quite fun!
Thanks, @BarkingMadRead , for another great Buddy Read with the #PemberLittens #HashTagBrigade !

BarkingMadRead Glad you had fun!! 2y

30 likes1 comment

DebinHawaii

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

Finished last week with the #Pemberlittens I quite enjoyed Cranford, a quick & amusing read. Cranford‘s small town vignettes highlight its quirky residents, including Bessie the cow. I especially liked Gaskell‘s sly humor in quotes like “I'll not listen to reason...Reason always means what someone else has got to say.” And her astute observations such as “Many a one has been comforted in their sorrow by seeing a good dish come upon the table.”

DebinHawaii Thanks to @BarkingMadRead for the excellent hosting & #hashtags 2y

BarkingMadRead I‘m glad you liked it!! 2y

55 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

What a delight visiting Cranford and the happenstances of its villagers! I absolutely loved this light, whimsical story. It has a much different voice to it than other books by Gaskell that I have read; it was quite refreshing to read something from this time period that was not as heavy. It makes me want to rewatch the Cranford series that was on PBS a number of years ago! #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade

BarkingMadRead

BarkingMadRead I‘m so glad you liked it!! 2y

AllDebooks I've just looked the tv series up too! 2y

Sophronisba I keep meaning to read more Gaskell. I've only read North and South. 2y

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rubyslippersreads

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Before we leave Cranford, I had to share this picture of my favorite character, Miss Betsy Barker‘s Alderney.

I‘m wondering if the cow had anything to do with Captain Brown‘s tragic demise? After all, as well as suggesting the flannel ensemble, he also recommended Miss Betsy “kill the poor creature at once.” Was that Alderney anywhere near the railroad tracks? 🤔🐄🤣

#PemberLittens #Moo-rdurAtCranford #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead

willaful #SaneCowDisease 2y

BarkingMadRead 🤣🤣🤣 2y

TheBookHippie OMG 😂😂😂😂🏆👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 2y

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dabbe Best pic of the day! 🤣🤣🤣 2y

Clare-Dragonfly Ahahahah! Excellent! 😂 2y

rubyslippersreads @willaful I ❤️ it! 🐮 2y

rubyslippersreads @BarkingMadRead @TheBookHippie @dabbe @Clare-Dragonfly 🚂 🐮 2y

Ruthiella Love it! 😋 2y

58 likes8 comments

TheAromaofBooks

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

This book was a surprise win!! I absolutely hated North and South when we read it last year, so my expectations for Cranford were extremely low. But I ended up loving this one!! Delightful small-town shenanigans, a likable (if somewhat distant) narrator, and a pile of elderly ladies that made me laugh far more than I expected, yet also moments that genuinely had me choked up. I will definitely be rereading this one in the future.

TheAromaofBooks Thank you SO MUCH for hosting the #HashtagBrigade @BarkingMadRead !!! My enjoyment in reading this one was definitely amplified by the buddy read, daily discussions, and snarky hashtags!! Already looking forward to next month!! 2y

BarkingMadRead I totally agree, and I‘m so glad you liked it!! North and south was not a fave with me either 🤣 2y

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mcctrish

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

This book is actually nuts, in the beginning there is a death a chapter (only gentlemen 🤣🤣) for many chapters, the ladies of Cranford are firm believers in household economy and each have their specific bugbears of waste, most of the ladies look to specific members of their social circle for guidance before they form an opinion, on anything ( except their chosen form of economy) and it‘s humour is very tart and dry.

ChaoticMissAdventures I really enjoyed this one!! 2y

mcctrish @ChaoticMissAdventures the hashtags do up the enjoyment levels 🤣🤣 2y

TheLudicReader I love Lily of the valley. I had loads at my old house and I miss them. 2y

mcctrish @TheLudicReader as you can see it‘s just about to pop and it smells so good here 2y

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Daisey

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

This was a delightful listen! I enjoyed it so much more than North & South, often because of the characters and humor. I don‘t think it‘s a story that will really stick with me long term, but it was thoroughly enjoyable and worth the read.

#audiobook #1001books #HashtagBrigade #PemberLittens

Crinoline_Laphroaig I listened as well. Narrator was perfect. 2y

Daisey @Crinoline_Laphroaig Agreed! When I have to choose, I almost always go with these Naxos unabridged classics audio versions. (edited) 2y

50 likes2 comments

IndoorDame

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

I was charmed by the derivation of this word when I came across it this week. #weirdwords @CBee

CBee Super cool! 2y

dabbe I looked this one up, too! #coolbeans 😎 2y

IndoorDame @dabbe 💙🩵💙 2y

43 likes3 comments

Vansa

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

So grateful for this buddyread #pemberlittens!! @BarkingMadRead delightful, moving, while also being sharp and incisive about pretensions to class.

BarkingMadRead I‘m so glad you liked it!!! 2y

johncadams I just love Elizabeth Gaskell. 2y

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Crinoline_Laphroaig

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

For some reason I thought this was book was much longer! I was surprised to see it was the last Chapter this morning of #Pemberlittens . But I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story. @BarkingMadRead thanks for the #HashtagBrigade! It was fun! 😊

BarkingMadRead It went by so fast! I‘m glad you had fun! 2y

Ericalambbrown I‘ve got her North and South in my TBR list. 2y

50 likes2 comments

IndoorDame

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

I loved this month‘s #pemberlittens read! Gaskell‘s portrait of this town and the characters in it was so vibrant and colorful. I think this is one I‘m likely to pick up again in the future.

BiblioLitten So pretty🩶 2y

Ruthiella I loved this one too and bought a copy a few chapters in rather than continue with the library ebook because it‘s definitely a keeper. 2y

Aimeesue Pretty Edition! 2y

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peanutnine Lovely edition 😍 2y

IndoorDame @BiblioLitten @Aimeesue @peanutnine 🩶🩶🩶 thanks, it was a fabulous Etsy find ! (edited) 2y

IndoorDame @Ruthiella 🩶🩶🩶library ebooks are the perfect way to try things out and decide what you want on your forever shelf 2y

BiblioLitten @IndoorDame I agree! 2y

78 likes7 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 16: and they all live happily ever after! #imissthecow #peterendsthefeud #illmissthecranfordladies #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

Bookwormjillk Yay!! This was a great read! 2y

IndoorDame I loved this ❤️ 2y

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peanutnine This was so great! I love that Peter brought them all together again 🥰 2y

Ruthiella Wonderful ending. Thanks so much for leading us in this read-along. It was awesome! ❤️👏👏👏 2y

dabbe Leave it to a MAN to have to fix the ladies, so to speak. 😏 Still, I will miss Cranford and these wonderful ladies. Thanks for leading us and making us laugh, @BarkingMadRead. 💙💚💙 2y

Allylu Reading this with you folks was soooo much fun! Love the #hashtags. Thank you! 2y

AnnR Lol @dabbe :-) Thank you to @BarkingMadRead for another fun discussion. 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig Thank you @BarkingMadRead for host! 2y

Clare-Dragonfly Thank goodness, the book ended before Peter died 😂 Thanks for the hashtags! 2y

Vansa I could not love this more. I absolutely love how Peter continues to be cheeky and invent stories about shooting cherubs.Mrs.Jamieson is obnoxious,I love how Gaskell very cleverly shows the slow acceptance of a more fluid form of interactions among classes- Ms.Matty is " in trade",Martha and her husband live with her,Lady Glenmire thinks nothing of chucking her meaningless title.Its interesting that Georgette Heyer wrote nearly 200 years later(1/2 2y

Vansa (2/2) and displays far more rigid views towards class. Absolute delight and thank you for this, I would never had read this if not for this excellent reading group #Pemberlittenz 2y

julieclair This was such a fun read! The Cranford ladies are a hoot! Reading it together made it all the more fun. Thanks for another great job as host, @BarkingMadRead ! 👏 2y

rubyslippersreads Like @Clare-Dragonfly I‘m somewhat concerned for Peter‘s safety. 😆 Thanks for hosting a great readalong @BarkingMadRead 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 2y

mcctrish I think Peter broke the curse 🙏🏻🙏🏻 thank you so much for leading us @BarkingMadRead this was a really fun read 2y

willaful So what do we think -- Peter marry one of the Cranford ladies or no? Which would be safer? I like your take, @mcctrish !

I just remembered, I was surprised to see the term “cast up her accounts“ in the book. I've only encountered it before as slang for... er... feeling unwell. 😄 (edited) 2y

BarkingMadRead @TheAromaofBooks this was my #bookspin I finished both this month already! Finally ahead of the game for a change lol 2y

TheAromaofBooks I genuinely loved this one, which was a huge surprise because I HATED North & South! But this one was full of such gentle humor and likable characters, and not nearly as many funerals as I feared!! 😂 2y

TheAromaofBooks @Vansa - I do think Heyer's books are set in the earlier Regency period vs. Cranford's Victorian era. Also, Heyer's stories tend to focus on a richer, more upper class than we find in Cranford, so I think that also changes how various class interactions are portrayed. But it was fun to see some of the distinctions change throughout the story!! 2y

Vansa @TheAromaofBooks I know they're set in a different time period! Obviously😀I'm talking about the author's own attitudes,not the characters'.Heyer demonstrates the sort of attitudes towards class that Mrs.Jamieson does,if you read her books. 2y

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dabbe

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

pick

“Cranford ladies sing this song, Doo-dah! doo-dah!
You kept me laughing all along, Oh, de-doo-dah day!“
If not for the #pemberlittens, I would have never even known about this one. These spinster Victoria ladies are not easily forgotten, especially Miss Matty. Their hilarious escapades, their idiosyncrasies, their love and friendship for one another makes this novel worth the read.
“I'll spend my money on Miss Matty's tea, Oh, de doo-dah day!“💙

kspenmoll Now I want to read this book! 2y

dabbe @kspenmoll 😍🤣🤗 2y

Lucy_Anywhere The BBC adapted this into a series years ago - I think Judi Dench is in it! 2y

dabbe @Lucy_Anywhere You're right! I'll need to check it out! 🤩🤗😍 2y

62 likes4 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 15: Martha has a baby and Matty has a visitor #PETER #thatsallohavetosayaboutthat #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

julieclair It‘s so sweet, and a bit sad, how much Matty loves the baby. 💙 And yes! #PETER ! 2y

Bookwormjillk Finally! Seems like this could have been the last chapter but there are more? #PeterMustNotDie 2y

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BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk seriously the first thing I thought when I saw that there‘s one chapter left 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 2y

dabbe See? That is what we were still waiting for! Except for one more chapter. #donotdiepeter 🙏 2y

willaful Seriously, he's taking his life into his hands. Love is not safe for these poor men, even fraternal love! #BubbleWrapPeter

I hope Martha's husband isn't annoyed at having being pushed into marriage unnecessarily. Hopefully being a proud father will keep him sweet. 😁 2y

Ruthiella 😂😂😂 Live, Peter, Live! 2y

Daisey @Bookwormjillk I thought the same thing! This very much felt like a final chapter to me. 2y

Clare-Dragonfly I also thought it felt final! It was super sweet—all the sibling love makes me so happy. Maybe the final chapter will just be an “and they all lived happily ever after” epilogue 🤞🏻 2y

TheAromaofBooks It did crack me up that Miss Matty hadn't even SUSPECTED that there was going to be a baby! 😂 2y

peanutnine @TheAromaofBooks lol yes! That tickled me too, like how did you not notice that?? 😂 2y

mcctrish @TheAromaofBooks same!!! Miss Matty is seriously clueless but Mrs Jamieson is horrid #veilsathalfmast 2y

35 likes12 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 14: Matty has some hope! #lodgingwithmarthaandjem #thesecranfordladiesareamazing #openingateashipathome #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

mcctrish I was almost in tears with all the tears!! All these ladies with practically nothing sharing with their beloved friend ❤️❤️❤️ Miss Matty will do anything cuz no one in her family is left to see her fall 💔 2y

Ruthiella It was so very touching to see Martha and Miss Pole, Mrs. Forrester, and Mrs. Fitz-Adam rally around Miss Matty like that. Also, we FINALLY get the name of the narrator! Mary Smith. 2y

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Crinoline_Laphroaig @mcctrish me too! 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig @Ruthiella I Googled the other day because I thought I missed who the narrator was. 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig This Chapter made my heart happy. 2y

mcctrish Yes @Ruthiella I was so happy to learn Mary‘s name 2y

willaful So odd to learn in, what, the 2nd or 3rd to last chapter! I wonder if that's supposed to mean anything or just the author being random. 2y

dabbe And such a simple name when compared to Pole, Forrester, Fitz-Adam (I mean, come on!). Is that because the narrator speaks about herself the least? Or she's the least important Cranford character but important at chronicling these ladies' lives? And, what are we waiting for? Time to come home, Aga/Peter/whoever-the-hell-you-are! 🤣🙏🤗 2y

Clare-Dragonfly I love everyone rallying around Miss Matty because they love her so much! 🥰 And even beyond the bank failure and budgeting, the economic implications are fascinating. Matty is a lady and not really capable of much work, but her servant—by definition of a lower class—with marriage to someone with a good job can afford to help her out, completely turning the monetary tables. 2y

Bookwormjillk Such a great chapter. Loved it. 2y

AnnR Matty is lucky to have Mary. She has an appropriate sense of decorum but interferes (in a good way) when necessary. 2y

julieclair This chapter was so very heartwarming. Such good people, to come to Miss Matty's aid without ever wanting her to know. 💝 2y

38 likes13 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 13: Miss Matty is ruined! #stupidbank #Mattyisbroke #whereareyoupeter #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig 😢 2y

Bookwormjillk Poor Miss Matty. Sad chapter 😟 2y

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Clare-Dragonfly I was not expecting this book to be so topical with a bank failure! Poor, good-hearted Miss Matty. ❤️ 2y

Morr_Books She was so generous to the man at the store too. Even once she realized that all was lost, she still didn't regret that action. This made me love her even more. 2y

Ruthiella How happy that man‘s wife and children must have been to get those presents. Miss Mattie‘s gestures was not practical or even advised, but it was the right thing to do and I loved her for it. ❤️ 2y

TheAromaofBooks @Morr_Books - I was so touched at how because she was an “investor“ in the bank, she somehow felt responsible for it failing, to the point of giving her money to a stranger. She is such a good-hearted soul!! 2y

julieclair Poor Miss Matty. Such a sweet, kind soul. Peter needs to come home and save the day. #Peeeeeterrr!!! 2y

dabbe And Matty can't even have the ONE dress she got to pick out for herself! 😭 2y

BarkingMadRead @dabbe I felt so bad for her! She‘s too sweet for the world 2y

willaful Poor, dear Miss Matty. I wish all stockholders were as conscientious. 😞

She reminded me a little of Sara in A Little Princess, when she's so hungry but gives most of her food away to someone who's starving.

A Little Princess

2y

dabbe @BarkingMadRead You hit it right on the head. She IS too sweet for this world. 💙💚💙 2y

mcctrish @dabbe I know, right?! Miss Matty is too good for the world! @willaful I thought of Sara too 2y

41 likes13 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 12: Lady Glenmire and Piggins are getting married 🐷 #everyoneisshocked #poorHoggins #willthecranfordcursegethim #nonewsofPeter #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

Morr_Books The dilemma: honorable Mrs. Jamieson or degraded Lady Glenmire #societylife 2y

Ruthiella I‘m a little shocked myself! I did not see this coming. But I am happy for Lady G. and the doctor. They seem to be very good and genuine people. 2y

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peanutnine It's a bit frustrating that the ladies don't even offer Lady Glenmire congratulations because they have to wait until Mrs J to give her verdict. How sad and isolating that must feel for Lady G 2y

BarkingMadRead @peanutnine yeah, I‘m not a fan of this, nobody thinks for themselves 2y

eeclayton The question is, will Mr H survive the book? 2y

BarkingMadRead @eeclayton I dunno, statistically he doesn‘t have much of a chance 🤣 2y

willaful @BarkingMadRead Maybe marrying a genuinely nice woman will save him. You have to wonder if Mr. Jamieson found death a merciful escape. 😏 2y

Clare-Dragonfly Miss Pole doth protest so much. I have a feeling we‘re going to see her married before the end of the book. Maybe to Peter? 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig @eeclayton so very doubtful! 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig I'm listening to audiobook narratored by Claire Willie and I absolutely love how she did this: Where feminine delicacy is gone to, I don‘t know! You and I, Miss Matty, would have been ashamed to have known that our marriage was spoken of in a grocer‘s shop, in the hearing of shopmen!” 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig And "Till she came back to give us our cue, we felt that it would be better to consider the engagement in the same light as the Queen of Spain‘s legs - facts which certainly existed, but the less said about the better." ? 2y

Bookwormjillk @Crinoline_Laphroaig that line cracked me up. So random. 2y

julieclair Ooohhh... @Clare-Dragonfly ... Miss Pole and Peter! What a fascinating idea! 👍 2y

mcctrish @eeclayton as soon as I read this ( about the marriage) I thought “ well that‘s it for him!” 2y

eeclayton @mcctrish 😂 2y

rubyslippersreads @willaful 🤣 2y

36 likes17 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 11: ok, I know this has nothing to do with this chapter, but I found this today on the Google and had to share it 🤣🤣 also, I leave tomorrow for Florida, and then to the cruise ship! Woohoo! I have wifi paid for, but don‘t know how good it will be, so I‘m reading ahead today, and hope to post every day, but no promises! If I can‘t, I‘ll pick up when I get back. There are only 16 chapters! Hashtags in comments

BarkingMadRead #herewego #andsowefindsambrown #andhistwin #andtherobberieshavestopped #coincidenceornot #youdecide #mrsbrownisabadass #butwait #petersighting #coulditbe #staytuned #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade 2y

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

Bookwormjillk I really want the ladies to go to India. Enjoy your cruise! 2y

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BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk #fieldtrip 2y

Clare-Dragonfly The robberies have stopped or they never started or something 😂 2y

BarkingMadRead @Clare-Dragonfly these ladies 🤣🤣🤣🙄🙄🙄 2y

AllDebooks Bon voyage x 2y

peanutnine @Clare-Dragonfly lolol 2y

Morr_Books ? Also..."they had escaped marriage...she thought it argued great natural credulity in a woman if she could not keep herself from being married" 2y

julieclair I am sure it had to be a #petersighting ! 2y

dabbe I'm really starting to like Miss Matty. #herheartbreak #dreamsofacindylouwhowhoisnomorethantwo 😥 2y

Clare-Dragonfly @Morr_Books Yesssss 🤣🤣🤣 2y

Crinoline_Laphroaig Yay I'm caught up! 2y

Ruthiella @Clare-Dragonfly I think there were no robberies to start with. 😂 It was just rumor. The cat and the leg of mutton… 2y

willaful @bookwormjillk Yes! The narrator and Miss Matty go to India to visit Peter. #fingerscrossed 2y

IndoorDame Have a fab trip!!! And how much do I love that you found this photo?! 2y

TheAromaofBooks @dabbe - In a chapter that was mostly fun, that confession of Miss Matty's really got me!! 😞 2y

mcctrish This group is truly looking for the drama 🤣🤣 2y

47 likes1 stack add18 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 10: ghosts and robbers! #poorcarlo #cannotgetthescoobydoogangoutofmyhead #creepingaround #fakingbravery #tellingtales #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

Bookwormjillk Zoinks! She killed the dog! 2y

peanutnine 🤣🤣 I love the Scooby Doo comparison! 2y

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BarkingMadRead @peanutnine it‘s all I could picture as the ladies were creeping around the house, looking for bad guys, using household items as weapons 🤣🤣 2y

Morr_Books I wanna know what is so special about this plate that Miss Pole decided that that would be the thing she saved. Also, did she go and get a tooth pulled just to hear some gossip from the dentist? 2y

Clare-Dragonfly The Scooby Gang is perfect! 😂😂😂 2y

Clare-Dragonfly @Morr_Books I think “plate” is all her silverware, so probably the likeliest target for a robber. 2y

dabbe All I can picture is all of them trotting the 200 yards to Mrs. Forrester's annual tea with Miss Matty in the sedan chair being jostled as the chairmen carried her there with the promise of not leaving her in the sedan to be murdered. And then they all trot back home, paying the chairmen extra to not go down Darkness Lane. These ladies. 🤣🤣🤣 2y

willaful I love how the narrator sort of knows how ridiculous it all is while still participating in it... 2y

Ruthiella What do the chair men do while the ladies are dining? Hang out in the kitchen? 🤔 Take up other fares and come back later? 2y

peanutnine @Morr_Books it definitely seemed like she traded a tooth for the hot gos 😂 @dabbe that whole scene was just hilarious! Like a comedy show 2y

dabbe @peanutnine A comedy of so-called manners! 🤣🤣🤣 2y

Clare-Dragonfly @Ruthiella I bet they hide in the kitchen and talk to the housemaids 😂 2y

julieclair Scooby Doo is the perfect comparison! 😂 2y

51 likes14 comments

IndoorDame

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

#weirdwords @CBee

sesquipedalian

ses-quipe-dalian
/ seskwapa'dälyan/
adjective FORMAL
(of a word) polysyllabic; long.
"sesquipedalian surnames"
• characterized by long words; long-winded.
"the sesquipedalian prose of scientific journals"

CBee Fantastic word 🙌🏻🙌🏻 2y

dabbe The word itself describes its own definition! #wordistheword 💙💚💙 2y

IndoorDame @dabbe just what charmed me about it! 💙💙💙 2y

61 likes3 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 9: the ladies go to see a Conjuror #omggheturban #savedbythenarrator #letitgo #mrspoleknowsall #obviouslyanyonecandoit #theseladiesthough #soprimandproper #andalsosobitchy #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

Ruthiella I can only imagine how exciting this kind of thing would have been for people living in a small town back then. Also, Miss Pole is a real pain! 😂 The kind of person who can‘t shut up and just let others enjoy the show! 2y

Bookwormjillk Another amazing chapter. They‘re kind of like The Golden Girls but they‘re all Rose. I am loving this book. 2y

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Ruthiella @Bookwormjillk 😂😂😂 All Rose! 2y

BarkingMadRead @Bookwormjillk omg yes! 2y

AllDebooks @Bookwormjillk omg, yes 😂😂😂 2y

Morr_Books I love how excited the rector was. @Bookwormjillk 🤣 2y

Aimeesue @Bookwormjillk 🤣🤣🤣 2y

dabbe This section reminded me of “The Mesmerizer“, an excerpt from Mark Twain's autobiography concerning a conjurer who comes to town and tries to put Twain into a trance. It's hysterical, just like this chapter. And the turban! 🤣🤣🤣 Perfect idea about Rose, too! I agree 💯. 2y

Clare-Dragonfly Miss Pole is the worst audience member! Poor Signor Brunoni! 😂 Though, you‘d think he could have matched his costume to his stage name! If Matty thinks he‘s an appropriate place to get fashion cues, I think the narrator is quite right to make different fashion choices for her. 2y

mcctrish When Miss Pole started talking during the performance I laughed out loud! My god these ladies are insufferable 🤣🤣 ready an hour and a half before the show so we‘ll just sit in the dark until it‘s time to go 2y

Vansa @Ruthiella exactly 😂😂so hilariously described. 2y

Vansa Absolutely loved this chapter.Specially the rectors eagerness to avoid the ladies of Cranford. Completely hilarious 2y

Clare-Dragonfly @Vansa You know, I think the rector is quite correct. As a man of God only, he‘s probably okay. As the husband of a genteel lady, he would not be safe in Cranford! 😬 2y

42 likes14 comments

Vansa

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

#Pemberlittens #Cranford @BarkingMadRead
The struggle is eternal, Miss Pole!

BarkingMadRead 🤣🤣 every.damn.time. 2y

Ruthiella The French have a term for this, “L‘esprit de l‘escalier”, when you think of the perfect retort when it‘s too late to say it. 2y

Vansa @Ruthiella I know! I always take great comfort from it, because Diderot coined it, and well,if one of the greatest minds of his time couldn't come up with a pithy retort,what hope do is lesser mortals have 😀 2y

19 likes3 comments

Vansa

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

#pemberlittens #Cranford
Peter sounds annoying but also Sparky!

19 likes

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 8: y‘all. These women wear me out. #snippymrsjameison #hoggingherSIL #untilsheisnt #partytime #wearallthebrooches #wtfwiththecatstory #animalsdontstandachance #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

Bookwormjillk A cat pooped out lace and I did not expect that. 2y

TheBookHippie Whew 😮‍💨 2y

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Ruthiella I wonder if Mrs. Jamison had actually even met her sister-in-law prior to this visit? I‘m sure Lady Glenmire was bored stiff with only Mrs. J (and Carlo!) for company at first. 2y

mcctrish What a chapter?! #meangirlsofcranford first they don‘t know what to call Lady G, then they won‘t talk to her at all, then a fortnight passes and an invitation to brooch it up ( what bedazzling was before the bedazzler was invented ) with tea makes it everything okay. But the highlight was as @Bookwormjillk said, the unexpected cat poop lace #cranfordcrazies 2y

Clare-Dragonfly That poor cat 😂 I‘m pretty sure it vomited the lace, if that makes anyone feel any better… 2y

Bookwormjillk @Clare-Dragonfly not really 🤣 2y

Vansa This has to be one of the best pieces of writing I've read- the absolutely merciless send up of pretensions of class snobbery,its perfectly relevant even today.I died laughing at how indignant they are that Mr.Mulliner is reading the paper before they are!Oh,and the hilarious description of how the narrator is trying to take 2 lumps of sugar surreptitiously,and fails at the attempt! 2y

Vansa Her description of the "Parliament of Cranford" on how to address Lady Glenmire ?? 2y

rubyslippersreads @Clare-Dragonfly I hope so. I was quite shocked that Mrs. Gaskell might be hinting that the lace was retrieved by, ahem, another method. 😹 2y

50 likes10 comments

Vansa

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

This is so beautiful. And so true. I find myself unaccountably moved by ancient letters my grandmother shows me that describe her cousins' mischief, or regular life.
#Pemberlittens

15 likes

Vansa

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Still the same,Matilda, still the same! #pemberlittens

11 likes

Vansa

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

More of the absolutely jewel-like illustrations of this book. #Cranford #pemberlittens

12 likes

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 7: the ladies go visiting! #calash #googleismyfriend #bizarrechapter #moreproofmycopyshouldhavecowsonit #sopretentious #whatsupwiththesedanchair #shoulditbeinthehouse #apparentlyso #sobizarre #haveimentionedhowbizarrethischapterwas #nobodydied #hallelujah #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

mcctrish Eating seed cake like a cow 🐮 that certainly sells it 2y

BarkingMadRead @mcctrish 🤣🤣 2y

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Clare-Dragonfly Thanks for the visual! I thought this chapter was hilarious. They‘re all so pretentious 😂 2y

Morr_Books @Clare-Dragonfly I agree! This chapter is hilarious! I was laughing right at the beginning when it was mentioned how much they disliked the doctor's name, Hoggins, but that Piggins would have been worse. 🤣 2y

Ruthiella The chapter really does underscore the absurdity of class hierarchies! 😂 Certainly Mrs. Jamison enjoys being a big fish in a very small pond. And of course they ate up all the food not because they were hungry but because they were “too genteel” to point out how low class the spread was by abstaining. (edited) 2y

Clare-Dragonfly I feel like the narrator is telling us all this in a sly whisper out of the corner of her mouth. And she occasionally bursts into giggles because she just can‘t help herself. That‘s why there are so many funerals—so she isn‘t constantly laughing. 2y

TheAromaofBooks I was also confused about the sedan chair being in the house! I always assumed they picked people up outside like a cab?? But apparently not! 😂 2y

Bookwormjillk i also do not approve of capital letters ff 2y

dabbe @Ruthiella a big “snoring“ fish ... 🤣🤣🤣 2y

dabbe I just spit out what I was drinking reading through all of this: y'all were funnier than this chapter, and that's saying something! Starting with you @BarkingMadRead ... #welldone 🙌🤩💚 2y

BarkingMadRead @dabbe #gladwecouldhelp 2y

51 likes12 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 6: #technically Peter could still be alive 🤷🏻‍♀️ also, there was kissing 😳 #petersprankswerefunny #isaidwhatisaid #but #alsoembarrassing #popsthrashedhim #peterjoinedthewar #poormamadied #thenpoorpapadied #nowordfrompeter #ibetweseehimbeforetheend #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

mcctrish #dragstorytimeincrandford 2y

BarkingMadRead @mcctrish #peterwasaheadofhistime 2y

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Morr_Books I like Peter, but I feel like I can't let myself get attached to any male characters, so I am cautiously hopeful he is alive. 2y

dabbe I'm getting to the point in the story now where I want to know more about the narrator! Alas (using some genteel language here), it seems she will only be destined to be the #cranfordchronicler and nothing else. I'm also coming to care quite a bit about Miss Matty. 2y

BarkingMadRead @Morr_Books I know! Being a dude in this book is not healthy! 2y

Ruthiella Poor Miss Mattie. To lose her brother, then her parents. 😢 2y

Clare-Dragonfly I suspect Peter will return in the next chapter to profess his love for a woman he was attached to in his youth, and then die. 2y

Bookwormjillk This is wrong but I laughed when he threw the pillow baby. 2y

Clare-Dragonfly I wonder how Matty knows what kissing sounds like. 🤔 2y

Bookwormjillk @Clare-Dragonfly ohhhhhhhhhh 2y

Ruthiella @Clare-Dragonfly Good point! 😳 2y

willaful @Bookwoemjillk I think Donald Westlake borrowed the poor pillow baby for one of his books, Castle in the Air IIRC.

@Clare-Dragonfly 😂😂😂

And I gotta hand it to Miss Matty, she put a lot more effort into getting pronouns right than many people do today. 😁

Castle in the Air

2y

Clare-Dragonfly @willaful Yes, I appreciated her pronoun use! 😆 2y

40 likes14 comments

Morr_Books

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

My morning coffee time with the ladies of Cranford. #pemberlittens
@BarkingMadRead

Ruthiella Excellent plan! 👍 2y

BarkingMadRead Love that cover! 2y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 😍 2y

51 likes3 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 5: apparently Jane Austen isn‘t the only one who burns letters 🤷🏻‍♀️ #dontgetmestartedonthecandles #paduasoy #incaseyouwondered #iwondered #googleisyourfriend #backtotheletters #thespellingmademetwitch #poorpeter #staytuned #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade #nocowsorpeas

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii @rubyslippersreads 2y

IndoorDame haha, I googled it too, and looked at all the pretty pictures 😂😂😂 2y

Clare-Dragonfly I wanted to snatch the letters out of their hands! Future generations would be so interested! 😂 2y

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Morr_Books Hmmm...thinking of burning some old letters myself. Is it safe to assume that Poor Peter is the next male victim? 2y

BarkingMadRead @Morr_Books I feel like the odds are against him, poor kid! 2y

Bookwormjillk Poor Peter. I guess we‘ll find out about him tomorrow. 2y

willaful It would be nice to think that Poor Peter simply eloped with some Dreadful Hussy, but the way things have been going, what are the odds? 😂

I know that picture! I used to have paperdolls from Godey's Lady's Book put out by Dover. https://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Paper-Godeys-1840-1854-Victorian/dp/0486235114 Never liked that dress!

2y

dabbe @IndoorDame Me, too! I found an evening gown that Lady Bird Johnson wore! 🤣 2y

Ruthiella I thought the parsimony about candles was funny and accurate. I live alone but when I have guests, I have to remember to turn on the heat because I am stingy about my gas bill! 😂 In the winter, I just walk around like an idiot inside with a hat and scarf. 2y

mcctrish Each chapter is nuts, this one starting off with envelopes and string, logically moving on to candles #internationalblindmansholiday sounds SO FUN!!! Celebrated with the #burningoftheletters 😳 every time I read ‘paduasoy‘ I was thinking “is she talking about Peau de Soie? And yes 👍🏻 I guess she was (edited) 2y

TheBookHippie @willaful I have the coloring book! 2y

rubyslippersreads I found it sad to burn the letters, although I guess there were no descendants to pass them on to. 2y

willaful @rubyslipperreads It was very sad for me, because I sometimes think about how all the things that were so special to my husband and I will be meaningless and worthless when we're gone. 😭 #waytobringdownthemood #dramaticmuch

@TheBookHippie do you ever color it or is it just for looking? 2y

TheBookHippie @willaful I color ! Anxiety relief! 2y

willaful @TheBookHippie I always preferred abstract coloring. When I was recovering from surgery my mom bought me this: https://store.doverpublications.com/0486803538.html

And these books got me through my childhood: https://www.etsy.com/listing/175227344/more-altair-design-by-ensor-holiday-1974 2y

BarkingMadRead @willaful I love coloring books like that! 2y

42 likes17 comments

Vansa

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

@BarkingMadRead #Cranford #pemberlittens
Late to start this read,and wow, what an incredibly charming first chapter.Sharing these absolutely stunning illustrations,reading off Project Gutenberg.Such a warmly written satire,and so insightful about society in Cranford.I love that everyone's shocked that Captain Brown does not mind saying he can't afford something!Also,how typical for someone to disdain "Boz" in favour of Dr.Johnson!

BarkingMadRead Omgggggg the cow in flannel! I love it! 2y

Ruthiella Awesome illustrations! 2y

13 likes2 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 4: Matty visits Mr Holbrook #wefoundthepeas #andalsomorecows #idratherhavecowsonmybook #holbrookseemskindofdull #offtoparishegoes #whichobviouslykillshim #poormatty #butatleastmarthacanhaveafollower #nomorehidinginshadows #icanteven #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii 2y

Ruthiella I love how the unnamed narrator just shoveled the peas in….Is this the vegetable on the Penguin hardbound classic edition! 😂 Also how wonderful that Miss Mattie allows Martha to “walk out” with a young man now. It‘s rather poignant. (edited) 2y

BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella she‘s not messing around! Yes! This is the veggie on my cover. So random! 🫛 2y

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BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella I‘m glad she learned from her past! Poor Matty! 2y

Morr_Books I'm afraid what the fate may be of Martha's new young man based on every other man mentioned in this book so far. 2y

BarkingMadRead @Morr_Books right?!? It doesn‘t bode well 🤣 2y

peanutnine @Morr_Books 🤣 I was thinking the same thing! #noboysallowed...tolive 2y

Bookwormjillk @Morr_Books I think he should be safe because he‘s not a gentleman. #AnotherOneBitesTheDust 2y

BarkingMadRead @peanutnine 🤣🤣🤣 @Bookwormjillk good point!!! 2y

TheAromaofBooks I've started noting how many deaths there are in each chapter so we can get a final death count at the end 😂 #fourinfourchaptersseemslikeahighaverage 2y

mcctrish @TheAromaofBooks I‘m starting to think this book should be in the gothic category AND who has company over and retires to the smoking parlour alone? I predict a bad end for any and all gentleman callers whether or not they are “gentleman” #sticktotheshadows 2y

BarkingMadRead @mcctrish @TheAromaofBooks @peanutnine all y‘all giving me a run for the money on my hashtag game 🤣🤣 #imsoproud (edited) 2y

eeclayton #CranfordDeadpool I'll go with Martha's boyfriend, too. He may not be a gentleman, but is supposed to be a good guy, so. 2y

BarkingMadRead @eeclayton I‘m cackling #deadpool 🤣🤣🤣 2y

dabbe @TheAromaofBooks At the rate we're going, there will be more deaths in this book than in a Shakespearean tragedy! 🤣 And it's like we just start getting to know a character, then BAM. You dead. I'm going to try not to care about anyone until they make it through the chapter. (edited) 2y

dabbe @BarkingMadRead #youhaveinspiredus 💙💚💙 2y

Clare-Dragonfly The peas!!! If anyone else wondered about Aminè and the ghoul, I found the story: https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/lang1k1/tale31.htm 2y

Clare-Dragonfly @TheAromaofBooks Thanks for keeping track! I was not expecting him to die. I will never get attached to a man again. Unlike Martha. Love how she had her “follower” ready and one of his points of recommendation is that he‘s 6‘1”! 2y

Vansa Finally catching up.I thought this was an incredibly beautifully written chapter-captures an entire sweep of changing social mores, a thwarted romance, class prejudices in one short chapter. Something entire books don't do as well. I teared up at the end-I wish Matty's changing attitudes didn't have to come with such a cost to her. And still women soldier on. 2y

43 likes19 comments

dabbe

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Hey, #pemberlittens reading CRANFORD, lookie what I found! I definitely need help keeping track of everyone! 🤣🤗😊
#cranford

IndoorDame 👏👏👏👏thank you!!! wonder what the color coding denotes… 2y

dabbe @IndoorDame Good eye! I lopped off the bottom part but have now fixed it. 🤗 (edited) 2y

IndoorDame @dabbe ahh, cool! 🤗 2y

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Bookwormjillk Thank you! So I guess we never find out who the narrator is. (edited) 2y

peanutnine Oh my goodness this is so helpful! Thank you! 🤗 2y

dabbe @Bookwormjillk Ooh, you're probably right. Sorry for a spoiler-alert moment. 😬 (edited) 2y

dabbe @peanutnine 🥰 2y

Bookwormjillk @dabbe no worries! Better to know so I don‘t keep thinking I missed it. 2y

51 likes8 comments

Bookwormjillk

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Okay! #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade

BarkingMadRead

BarkingMadRead I feel like the love affair was highly exaggerated 🤣 2y

Bookwormjillk @BarkingMadRead a little bit 🤣 2y

peanutnine The narrator is so dramatic 😂 2y

50 likes3 comments

BarkingMadRead

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

Chapter 2: That escalated quickly #poorCaptain #killedbyDickens #matildareference #darleschickens #novegetablesyet #poorJessie #butwait #mysteryman #pemberlittens #hashtagbrigade

BarkingMadRead @staycurious @indoordame @thearomaofbooks @bookwormjillk @wordslinger42 @allylu @alldebooks @eeclayton @ann_reads @kristin_reads @crinoline_laphroaig @mcctrish @kwmg40 @ruthiella @willaful @dabbe @morr_books @aimeesue @librarybelle @daisey @sapphire @vansa @bklover @peanutnine @julieclair @clare-dragonfly @debinhawaii 2y

TheAromaofBooks This chapter was a bit more of an emotional rollercoaster than I was expecting!!! 2y

BarkingMadRead @TheAromaofBooks it started off so chill, with the Captain and his faux pas, that I thought it was going to be funny. Ooops. 2y

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TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead - Same! I was like, “oh, maybe Gaskell isn't as keen about knocking people off as she was in North & South“ - HA! #seriouslyshekillsoffeveryone #thereweresomanyfuneralsinN&S #wehavealreadyhadtwoinCranford 2y

Ruthiella I liked this balance of humor and then sh** gets real. You never know what will happen next. 2y

peanutnine @BarkingMadRead @TheAromaofBooks I've not read any of Gaskell before so the sudden death was a big surprise so early on! Remind me not to get attached to anyone else just in case 😅 2y

BarkingMadRead @Ruthiella @TheAromaofBooks #keepingyouonyourtoes 2y

Bookwormjillk I guess she told us yesterday that all men must die, but I didn‘t see that coming. Someone should warn this new guy. 2y

TheAromaofBooks @Bookwormjillk - haha yes, the writing was on the wall, I just didn't realize it was so literal 😂 2y

mcctrish And here I thought the Captain would be the exception to the rule 🤣🤣 2y

Bookwormjillk @mcctrish same I assumed he would be the love interest 🤣 2y

Clare-Dragonfly I was not expecting what happened in this chapter either!!! For several paragraphs I was convinced it was a misunderstanding and that the Captain had surely escaped the train 😅 I also thought the story would go on for much longer. Maybe this book will be more of a series of vignettes. We know so little about the narrator that I can‘t see her having an arc through the novel. 2y

Clare-Dragonfly @Bookwormjillk Thankfully it sounds like the Gordons do not live in Cranford 😂 2y

dabbe @TheAromaofBooks #2downinchapter2ofcranford 😃 2y

rubyslippersreads @Clare-Dragonfly @Bookwormjillk The first thought I had about the Gordon‘s was to hope they wouldn‘t decide to settle in Cranford. 😆 2y

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Crinoline_Laphroaig

Cranford | Elizabeth Gaskell

I've got audio and Kindle free versions.

Loved the cow in flannel and "though she knew, and we knew, and she knew that we knew, and we knew that she knew that we knew, she had been busy all the morning making tea-bread and sponge-cakes."?

#Pemberlittens
#HashtagBrigade
@BarkingMadRead

Ruthiella I thought the “she knew we knew…” was hilarious. 😆 2y

dabbe Who remembers Friends, too? “They don't know that we know that they know that we know.“ 🤣🤣🤣 2y

rwmg I'd forgotten that. Maybe it's time for a re-read 2y

BarkingMadRead @dabbe I was totally thinking that! 2y

peanutnine @dabbe 🙋🏼‍♀️my first thought! 🤣 2y

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