Classics for Beginners discussion

Great! I knew there was a buddy read I wanted to participate in, but I had forgotten which one. Wheeewww! It's tough getting older; the mind doesn't work the way you want it to. ;)

I'm ready to go! What I know about the book is also from Little Women!

I read this a couple of years ago and I think it has some of Dicken's most quirky characters in it. It took me a while to get used to them, but once I got what they were about I loved it. It is probably Dicken's funniest book.

I think this is going to take me awhile. I'll be reading around other books, and only managed 5% tonight.

It wasn't as painful as I remember Dickens being in the past (have never been a Dickens fan). I think he definitely would have given Faulkner a run for his money in the 'world's longest sentence' championships though!

Finding it very funny so far, which I hadn't expected. The aftermath of the cab ride in chapter ?2 was hilarious. Dickens really painted that scene well - could visualise it very well.

Dickens was very good at the visual effect. I'm hit or miss with him. Loved Bleak House, not so much Little Dorrit. LOL I would love to join you, but not sure I'll have the time now.

Now that sounds like a plan, Joy! I do want to read it. Will try to keep up with you all.

I'm thinking this may be the only way to get this book off my TBR list. Hoping for a lively discussion.

How is everyone going with this? I confess I just picked it up after setting it down nearly a week ago. I've just read past the cricket match. I'm not sure if it is the book or me but I'm finding this easier reading than I've found Dickens in the past.

I've had quite a few chuckles while reading tonight's installments. There was one chapter about an election - I think it might have been chapter ?13 - hilarious, that had me laughing out loud - literally. And there was an exchange between Pickwick and Tupman in another chapter where Tupman wanted to dress like a bandit that really tickled my funny bone as well.
If I'd known I'd enjoy Dickens this much I would have tried him again years ago!

My favourite Dickens is "The Life and Adventures of Nicolas Nickelby". It has it all - tragedy, romance and it is very, very funny at times. Followed by A tale of Two Cities, The Old Curiosity Shop and Our mutual friend. The only one which I don't care for as much is Little Dorrit as Dickens wrote it when he was clearly going through a very macho period (he left his wife and took up with an actress and generally treated the females in his surroundings pretty badly). It shows in the book - having said that, it is still a great book showing Victorian prisons etc. very well.

I had a shocking week at work so have fallen behind in my reading of this. I plan to start catching back up today!
My favourite chapter so far was the election one - it really tickled my funny bone.

'And, perhaps, my dear Sir,' said the cautious little man, 'perhaps if you could — I don't mean to say it's indispensable — but if you could manage to kiss one of 'em, it would produce a very great impression on the crowd.'
'Wouldn't it have as good an effect if the proposer or seconder did that?' said the Honourable Samuel Slumkey.
'Why, I am afraid it wouldn't,' replied the agent; 'if it were done by yourself, my dear Sir, I think it would make you very popular.'
'Very well,' said the Honourable Samuel Slumkey, with a resigned air, 'then it must be done. That's all.'
'Arrange the procession,' cried the twenty committee-men.
Amidst the cheers of the assembled throng, the band, and the constables, and the committee-men, and the voters, and the horsemen, and the carriages, took their places — each of the two- horse vehicles being closely packed with as many gentlemen as could manage to stand upright in it; and that assigned to Mr. Perker, containing Mr. Pickwick, Mr. Tupman, Mr. Snodgrass, and about half a dozen of the committee besides.
There was a moment of awful suspense as the procession waited for the Honourable Samuel Slumkey to step into his carriage. Suddenly the crowd set up a great cheering.
'He has come out,' said little Mr. Perker, greatly excited; the more so as their position did not enable them to see what was going forward.
Another cheer, much louder.
'He has shaken hands with the men,' cried the little agent.
Another cheer, far more vehement.
'He has patted the babies on the head,' said Mr. Perker, trembling with anxiety.
A roar of applause that rent the air.
'He has kissed one of 'em!' exclaimed the delighted little man.
A second roar.
'He has kissed another,' gasped the excited manager.
A third roar.
'He's kissing 'em all!' screamed the enthusiastic little gentleman, and hailed by the deafening shouts of the multitude, the procession moved on.

Cracks me up every time I read it.

I look forward to reading chapter 22 :)

Up to chapter 25 - goodness me Pickwick gets himself into some ridiculous scrapes!

I'm really enjoying Sam's turn of phrase. This is my current favourite phrase he has come out with, "Vell, young brockiley sprout, wot then?".

How is everyone else finding the passages written in local dialect? I'm not usually a fan, but really enjoying it in this book. Maybe it's because I'm more familiar with cockney, than I have been with other dialects, so can hear it in my head when I read it rather than trying to work out what people are saying. I remember reading The Secret Garden for the first time as a kid and finding the Yorkshire dialect challenging to read.

How are you going with it this week Joy? I was making some steady progress, but ran out of time the last couple days for much reading. I'm setting a goal to try and get another 20% or so read this weekend (whether I reach that goal or not is another matter obviously!).

I'm only 26% in myself but love the fact that each chapter is like a story in and of itself. I can read a few and then pick up a review book and return to it for more adventures. What a delightful book and what a literary road trip.

Darlene wrote: "I'm only 26% in myself but love the fact that each chapter is like a story in and of itself. I can read a few and then pick up a review book and return to it for more adventures. What a delightful ..."

I like the episodic feel of it also. Because I'm reading it among other things I don't have to worry about remembering what was happening when I last read it.

I have a new favourite chapter - number 34. It also has another Sam quote that I love;
'Yes, I have a pair of eyes,' replied Sam, 'and that's just it. If they wos a pair o' patent double million magnifyin' gas microscopes of hextra power, p'raps I might be able to see through a flight o' stairs and a deal door; but bein' only eyes, you see, my wision's limited.'

I love that Sam 'Veller'!

Joy wrote: "Is chapter 29, the story of Gabriel Grubb, a precursor to A Christmas Carol?"

I thought that as I read it also. It's interesting to see events in this book that you know become greater themes in later books - e.g. the judicial system.

Joy wrote: "Just wanted to record my thoughts while they are fresh. Chapter 46 had me talking back to the narrator: "What?! Oh no they didn't!" But they did. And I'm not telling what as I wouldn't want to spoi..."

Ah, you tease! I should get through that chapter tonight I think :)

Oh yes they did!

I found the scenes in the debtors prison hard to read. What a utterly miserable life. They would have been better going and stealing something so they could be transported here instead.

Congratulations! You've really flown though it the last fortnight. I have another 2-3 days worth I think.
Impressions of the book now you've finished?

All done. Who doesn't live a happy ending!

I need to finish this book by the end of the year. With so many amazing classics and groups I joined I let this fine book slip by the wayside. Sad, as it was delightful reading.