The Old Curiosity Club discussion

This is to announce that from 27/02 to 04/03 we are going to read Dickens's short story The Signalman as the second of two short stories before embarking on Dombey and Son.

Did we not read this already? I know I have read it but I'm not sure if it was part of the group.

Okay, I found where I read it after reading a review by a friend so I knew I found it on GRs but did not remember where. I enjoyed it and then went back and read the longer story of which this was a part. I will probably not reread it at this time but hope you all enjoy it.

I can't find The Signalman anywhere on my Dickens bookshelves, so hopefully Gutenberg has it.

Mary Lou wrote: "I can't find The Signalman anywhere on my Dickens bookshelves, so hopefully Gutenberg has it."

It is actually part of a much longer story called "Mugby Junction" from the volume of Christmas Stories. Hope that helps.

I also just found this where I was directed to the other story we are to read.

https://www.dickens-online.info/mugby...

Bobbie wrote: "It is actually part of a much longer story called "Mugby Junction" from the volume of Christmas Stories. Hope that helps...."

It does help, Bobbie - thank you! Mugby Junction is in a couple of the compilations I have.

Unfortunately, you still cannot access Gutenberg from Germany - another of those endless copyright struggles being the reason -, but I find that a lot of classics (although not as many) can also be seen at Wikisource.

Everybody go to discussions, general discussions, letters of Charles Dickens and scroll down through and read the dates. He knew what he was doing. :-) I'm still on my phone which makes this still annoying, so goodbye for now.

Maybe, Kim, he was doing this to tune himself into the Martin Chuzzlewit mood?

Kim wrote: "I'm still on my phone which makes this still annoying, so goodbye for now...."

I was just going to ask you, Kim, if your computer woes were over. I'm sorry to learn they aren't. The phone just isn't the same as an actual computer. :-( I guess it's better than nothing, though. We're always pleased to hear from you whenever you're able to chime in.

PS I agree with a post of Jean's in another thread -- I'd love to have your commentary on Dombey if you're able!

This is one of my favourite stories, though as I remember, the others in Mugby Junction aren't that special. I'm looking forward to discussing it with you all :)

And thanks Mary Lou, perhaps we can persuade Kim over a cup of tea and a piece of cyber-cake ;)

Hello Everyone!

Since we have already started discussing MC as a whole and since we moderators thought that too long a break between MC and the next read would be in no one's interests really, we thought that we might accelerate things and start reading the short stories a bit earlier, thus starting earlier with DS. This would be our new reading schedule, and we hope we are acting in your interests as well:

Reading Schedule

13/02 – 19/02 To Be Read at Dusk
20/02 – 26/02 The Signalman

27/02 – 04/03 DS I, 1-4
05/03 – 11/03 DS II, 5-7
12/03 – 18/03 DS III, 8-10
19/03 – 25/03 DS IV, 11-13
26/03 – 01/04 DS V, 14-16
02/04 – 08/04 DS VI, 17-19
09/04 – 15/04 DS VII, 20-22
16/04 – 22/04 DS VIII, 23-25
23/04 – 29/04 DS IX, 26-28
30/04 – 06/05 DS X, 29-31
07/05 – 13/05 DS XI, 32-34
14/05 – 20/05 DS XII, 35-38
21/05 – 27/05 DS XIII, 39-41
28/05 – 03/06 DS XIV, 42-45
04/06 – 10/06 DS XV, 46-48
11/06 – 17/06 DS XVI, 49-51
18/06 – 24/06 DS XVII, 52-54
25/06 – 01/07 DS XVIII, 55-57
02/07 – 08/07 DS XIX, 58-60
09/07 – 15/07 DS XX, 61-62

Mary Lou wrote: "Kim ... We're always pleased to hear from you whenever you're able to chime in ..."

Er ... is this quite what you meant Mary Lou? Kim has been a moderator and leader of this group, and its predecessor, for many years now :) It's simply not the same here when she's not around. Much as I like the illustrations (which I was actually responsible for asking for, after the first time through Nicholas Nickleby as I remember) I'd happily forgo them if it saves Kim having migraines, so she can use her precious computer time for intros, joining in with discussions, chat and generally leading the group, etc.

Thanks Jean. :-)

Bionic Jean wrote: "Mary Lou wrote: "Kim ... We're always pleased to hear from you whenever you're able to chime in ..."

Er ... is this quite what you meant Mary Lou? Kim has been a moderator and leader of this group..."

Yes -- when Kim's computer was on the blink, she was only able to pop in periodically from her phone. I just wanted her to know that we missed her and were happy to hear from her, even if it was sporadic until she was set up again. Believe me - I don't take Kim's position here for granted! :-)

OK, good.