Unfortunately, JASNA-NJ will have to cancel its scheduled May 21st online discussion of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North & South. We’re not on strike (unlike some of the workers in the novel), just had some unfortunate cancellations and scheduling conflicts, creating a perfect storm of not enough facilitators, too little time.
We still highly recommend the book, though, and as much of the East Coast sits under the broiling sun (or in the comforts of air conditioning), like hot tea on a hotter day, the steamy tension between Mr. Thornton and Margaret Hale will hopefully cool you all down.
Jane Austen Society of North America - New Jersey Region 
I’m so sorry that you all have to do that and that all will be understanding! Laugh at myself…I’m over Zoom booked tomorrow (Orlando, Central NY, local PL Sonali Dev, and CT).
Certainly the tension between Mr Thornton and Margaret Hale is fascinating. Alas, I prefer the 2004 miniseries to the book(it has been a long time since I read it). I have enjoyed reading Wives and Daughters more than N&S. Had Austen lived into the 1830s, I think Wives could have been something she wrote. Sad fact you may know…Gaskell passed suddenly in her to be “retirement house” 3 miles from Chawton! Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too enjoyed Wives & Daughters the most out of all of Gaskell’s works, although I do think the intensity of the sexual attraction between Margaret & Thornton is some of the most passionate writing I’ve ever read, well, anywhere. I think the reason the novel can be off-putting to modern readers (including me) is the use of dialect and the very long and technical debates regarding political and religious controversies that just simply aren’t on our front burner of consciousness today. But I’m sure it was very important and interesting when the book was written. It just really dates the material!
I am very sad Gaskell died relatively young, though older than Austen. She lived a full, rich life, but Wives & Daughters shows us all she had so much more to write and give.
LikeLike