The Dickens Reading Project discussion

Hi :)
I'm just finishing up Nicholas Nickleby, and I'm thoroughly exhausted after 1,000 pages have passed. I'm afraid it was somewhat of a let down after Great Expectations. I didn't fall in love with the characters, although Nicholas himself was admirable in many ways. There were several scenes that made me laugh aloud however, and I've collected them in a Dickens florilegium. ♥

Well at least now I can give you all the fun pages to turn to! LOL!

Hi again,
I'm half way through David Copperfield now and adoring it to no end. I'm forcing myself to read v.e.r.y s.l.o.w.l.y. so I can postpone ending it. I might have to buy a new pet just so I can name it Trotwood or Trot for short.

Suzy - Thanks for starting this group!! I read The Old Curiosity Shop a couple of years ago, and while I found the story of the little girl and her grandfather pretty obnoxious and sleep-inducing, there are some really hilarious and grotesque side characters. Dick Swiveller's story becomes really funny by the end, I thought. His story is one of my favorite Dickens moments.

Suzy: I'm not sure who will be happier to hear about Betsy- my lovebird Binky or my shih tzu Bitsy. I think animals have literary aspirations too! But my sis might have it right when she said that "birds are God's informants". I just hope he spells right when he takes notes. LOL!

Just starting Mystery of Edwin Drood. It's the current discussion book for the Yahoo Dickens Discussion Group, which if you're into Dickens you should at least check out

I read _Edwin Drood_ last month, but I may read it again with the Yahoo group. They get some good discussion going there. I'm ready to begin _Great Expectations_ again, my twelfth Dickens novel for the year.

Finished Dombey and Son, first read through. Disappointed. Found the plot only mildly interesting, few compelling character, writing more turgid than usual.

Will clear my literary palate next with a re-read of Our Mutual Friend.

Just read Bleak House. It's close to supplanting Great Expectations as my favorite. What a wonderful book. One of the best thing is the amazing cast of characters. On the one hand it can be tough to keep them all straight, but on the other they are all so wonderful. I also love how Dickens can commentate on the world without having his books be political things. The Jarndyce case is references a lot, but not so much that it's in your face. Very toungue and cheek, very funny. Love Esther. Too back people like that don't really exist. Can't decide which one is next. I have just about all of them on my shelf, so I'll have to decide. I'm thinking Two Cities, but Hard Times is high on my list, too. The only one I've never been able to get through, so far, is Martin Chuzzlewit. I didn't like it at all. Maybe I will next time.

Everyman wrote: "Finished Dombey and Son, first read through. Disappointed. Found the plot only mildly interesting, few compelling character, writing more turgid than usual.

Will clear my literary palate next w..."

I love Dombey and Son. I have finished fourteen Dickens novels this year and am ready to begin my last: Martin Chuzzlewit. I have read it before.

I've managed (just!) to get to Chapter 9 of Dombey and Son, but it is very slow-going. Hope I can stick with it!

Suzy wrote: "Don't give up on Dombey and Son....the end is SO worth it!"

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm up to Chapter 14 and the plot is sort of getting going :)

I am reading The Pickwick Papers.

I am reading Hard Times

Just found this group. Over the years I've read some Dickens out of order. I'm now trying to fill in gaps in order they were published (novels only--I'll go back later to read the sketches, short stories, & non fiction).

I'm currently reading The Old Curiosity Shop, not really enjoying it. The only one I've disliked more (so far) I think is Hard Times--mostly because I really have an aversion to circuses and carnivals. Dick Swiveller and Kit are the only high lights in this one, and so far they're not in it much.

deleted user wrote: "Hi again,
I'm half way through David Copperfield now and adoring it to no end. I'm forcing myself to read v.e.r.y s.l.o.w.l.y. so I can postpone ending it. I might have to buy a new pet just so ..."

Or you could call your pet "Daisy"

I am reading David Copperfield. I am currently at that place in the story where David gets to know of Uriah's intentions of marrying Agnes someday.This book has kept me riveted from the beginning. I had read The Pickwick Papers last year(2011). Though it was a slow read , I enjoyed it thoroughly. I read Great Expectations and Oliver Twist when I was in school. I don't remember much about the characters and the plot and neither do I remember enjoying it. I will re-read these two books .I hope to read all of Dickens's works, in my lifetime.

When I read David Copperfield a few months back--I wanted to reread it as soon as I was finished. I thought it was that good!!!!!!!! After that I read Great Expectations and Oliver Twist. I took a Dickens break and am now ready Hardy. I read Tess of the D'Ubbervilles and thought that was excellent and am now reading Far from the Madding Crowd.

Felt like I had to join this group. I'm picking up Our Mutual Friend tonight...I've read all the other complete novels, so this will put a bow on it (except for re-reads of course). My son just started Great Expectation for English class...not loving it as much as Dad (unfortunately).

Finished Our Mutual Freind...officially read all of Dickens' complete novels! Where's my prize?

David wrote: "Finished Our Mutual Freind...officially read all of Dickens' complete novels! Where's my prize?"

Congrats! Do you have a favorite? Do you have a new reading goal?

Yes please tell us your favotie Dickens.

Janice

Favorites are A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. I'll also throw in A Christmas Carol, although that's not a full-length novel. I'll be reading all of these again(I already read each at least three times...Christmas Carol usually once a year...guess when.)

I've read A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby and Barnaby Rudge. I just started reading The Old Curiosity Shop today, and so far I like it. After that one I'll probably read The Pickwick Papers or re-read Oliver Twist, because it is such a long time since I read it last.

So far my favourite is Barnaby Rudge.

Hi all, I'm Zaara. I've read Tale, Copperfield, Nickleby (all in high school, would like to re-read), Expectations (love it! read it again last year) and Old Curiosity Shop (found it hard to get into the book, and now can’t remember anything about it)... Like David, I read Christmas Carol annually. I'm currently four chapters into Bleak House...and I'm reading as per the original instalments...
I'd like to start one of the less-read novels next...any suggestions?

Suzy wrote: "Zaara, I recommend Our Mutual Friend. SO good!"

Thanks, Suzy. Once I'm done with Bleak House, I'll read this one. next

I recently finished Barnaby Rudge. I liked it (especially after Curiosity Shop which I didn't), but it wasn't one of the greats. (My faves so far are David Copperfield and Bleak House.) Martin Chuzzlewit's next on the sked--probably in the fall.

I finished Hard Times today and started Great Expectations. Also ordered Barnaby Rudge (really excited for it as I'm more than partial to historical fiction).