I’m not taking part in Victober. I’ve too many books to try to catch up with. 3 from the Booker, one from the National Book Award, several books started but not finished. My advice to anyone doing Victober is to go the audio route. I had to read Middlemarch when I was 17 in school (1980?) but when I reread it I did it via audio. Boy how I wish I’d have that option in 1980!!!
I really enjoyed Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters, the only book of hers that I read. Reading one of her novellas sounds appealing. I understand your conflicted feelings about Victorian literature because I feel the same way. I have decided to read a play for Victober this year: London Assurance.
I should probably do some research and look for literature from the same time period written by anyone other than a Brit! Although i could probably only find literature from other imperial powers which would be equally unappealing.
I think you should do Victober how you want (or not do it at all, if that is how you are feeling!). I haven't read much Gaskell at all--I think I read Mary Barton in college but I remember nothing (the danger of taking lit classes and reading too many books in too short a time!). But, if you find a good Gaskell novella, let me know!
Yes! Thanks for asking. My parents on the Atlantic side and it was totally chill over here. Some wind but very little rain. Hurricanes are so wild. The weather can be completely different just a few miles away.
