Classics for Beginners discussion

We are scheduled to begin discussing this book on January 1. This might be a good time to begin reading the book. But, no pressure. You can join the discussion at any time! Enjoy.

This thread will discuss chapters 1-16.

Even though the first chapter plods along, it is a not just describing the mud and filth of London. Dickens is actually showing the decrepitude and inefficiency of the Court of Chancery in Great Britain at that time. If you want to read more about the Court of Chancery, here is the Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of...

Just bought the book for my Kindle. Can't wait to get started!

Don't get discouraged reading the first chapter. It gets better after that.

My copy has a great introduction and a preface. It shows why he mentions some of the things he does and why. The language is beautiful and it really presents the places and people really well.

I bought the Penguin Classics copy for my Kindle and got the Whispersynched Audible version.

http://www.amazon.com/Bleak-Penguin-C...

and

http://www.audible.com/pd/Classics/Bl...

I am not exactly sure how I did this, because a different Audible version is displayed than the one I bought. But the Kindle version was 99 cents and the Audible companion to the Kindle was $2.99. I like to read classics in Amazon's Immersion reading. It helps me get through the slow parts.

EDIT 2-18-15 I have really enjoyed the performance of this Audible version with Hugh Dickson as the narrator. For Kindle owners, note that if you "buy" the Kindle version listed on the sale page below for $0.00, you can get this Audible version for $2.99. Note, you have to get the Kindle version first. It is Whisper synched, so if you have a Kindle Fire with the capability, you can do the immersion reading.

http://www.amazon.com/Bleak-House/dp/...

I have read the Penguin classics versions in Jane Eyre and Great Expectations. I like them because they have as Kirsten noted an introduction and many notes within giving a deeper explanation of the importance of a certain passages. I hope to start this after the first of the year. Right now I am involved in trying to make my 2014 Challenge, a bit of numerical BS that I promised myself I would not get caught up in, but with 50 out of 52 I am so close. I should have stuck with my original challenge of one book.

☯Emily wrote: "Don't get discouraged reading the first chapter. It gets better after that."

Re chapter one - I'm getting the feeling it was quite a foggy day! Lol.

I started this evening, and I'm up to chapter 6. Apart from chapter one (seriously, I wonder how many times he said the word 'foggy'?!) I'm finding it quite easy reading so far. It may be because I saw the mini series when it was televised (nearly a decade ago now!), but I recall enough of it to know the basic plot and characters.

Prior to buddy reading Pickwick with Joy earlier in the year I had never had much success with Dickens, but I enjoyed that and early signs are good for this one also.

One of the things that has always fascinated me about Dickens is that he portrays the urban poor, whereas many classics focus on small towns/rural areas and/or well to do people.

What's nice about the Penguin Classics version are all the footnotes as well as the Preface by Terry Eagleton and the Introduction by Nicola Bradbury.

Read / listened to Chapter 1. Quite soggy and foggy and I take it that the weather is a metaphor for the High Court of Chancery in general and the case Jarndyce and Jarndyce in particular (which I just added to my computer's dictionary to avoid it continually correcting it to jaundice).

I loved this quote:

On such an afternoon, if ever, the Lord High Chancellor ought to be sitting here – as here he is – with a foggy glory round his head, softly fenced in with crimson cloth and curtains, addressed by a large advocate with great whiskers, a little voice, and an interminable brief, and outwardly directing his contemplation to the lantern in the roof, where he can see nothing but fog. On such an afternoon, some score of members of the High Court of Chancery bar ought to be – as here they are – mistily engaged in one of the ten thousand stages of an endless cause, tripping one another up on slippery precedents, groping knee-deep in technicalities, running their goat-hair and horse-hair warded heads against walls of words, and making a pretence of equity with serious faces, as players might. On such an afternoon, the various solicitors in the cause, some two or three of whom have inherited it from their fathers, who made a fortune by it, ought to be – as are they not? – ranged in a line, in a long matted well (but you might look in vain for Truth at the bottom of it), between the registrar’s red table and the silk gowns, with bills, cross-bills, answers, rejoinders, injunctions, affidavits, issues, references to masters, masters’ reports, mountains of costly nonsense, piled before them.

Dickens, Charles (2003-03-27). Bleak House (Penguin Classics) (p. 2). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.

Things today are much the same as Dickens' time.

Without a doubt, this book is aided by the Audible recording for me.

I am up to page 45 in Chapter 5. Dickens is building quite a cast of characters, but so far the relationships between them remain unknown as does the exact nature of the suit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. Much is shrouded in mystery at this point.

I was quite amused with Dickens' description of the conditions and chaos at Mrs. Jellyby's house. She is saving Africa, while her home and family suffer from a lack of attention.

Henry wrote: "I am up to page 45 in Chapter 5. Dickens is building quite a cast of characters, but so far the relationships between them remain unknown as does the exact nature of the suit of Jarndyce and Jarnd..."

Poor Peepy. I wanted to take him home and look after him.

I'm a little further along, and the relationships between the cast of characters is clearer, so it will get there.

My favourite quote so far - for no reason other than it tickled my funny bone, was:
Sir Leicester is generally in a complacent state, and rarely bored. When he has nothing else to do, he can always contemplate his own greatness. It is a considerable advantage to a man, to have so inexhaustible a subject.

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Poor Peepy. I wanted to take him home and look after him. I'm a little further along, and the relationships between the cast of characters is clearer, so it will get there. My favourite quote so far "

Well you have to admit Peepy had a hard head, as proven when it thunked on each of the 7 steps and made and especially good thump on the landing.

In a similar vein to Sir Leicester, I love this quote about Lady Dedlock:

She supposes herself to be an inscrutable Being, quite out of the reach and ken of ordinary mortals – seeing herself in her glass, where indeed she looks so. Yet, every dim little star revolving about her, from her maid to the manager of the Italian Opera, knows her weaknesses, prejudices, follies, haughtinesses, and caprices; and lives upon as accurate a calculation and as nice a measure of her moral nature, as her dress-maker takes of her physical proportions. Is a new dress, a new custom, a new singer, a new dancer, a new form of jewellery, a new dwarf or giant, a new chapel, a new anything, to be set up? There are deferential people, in a dozen callings, whom my Lady Dedlock suspects of nothing but prostration before her, who can tell you how to manage her as if she were a baby; who do nothing but nurse her all their lives; who, humbly affecting to follow with profound subservience, lead her and her whole troop after them; who, in hooking one, hook all and bear them off, as Lemuel Gulliver bore away the stately fleet of the majestic Lilliput.

Dickens, Charles (2003-03-27). Bleak House (Penguin Classics) (p. 10). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.

I rather enjoy Dickens' dim view of the beautiful people of his time.

Yes, indeed Peepy does. He reminds me of my accident prone four year old who seems to bounce off things that would break a limb (or head) for another!

Dickens writes characters very well - their foibles as well as their strengths. From memory there were some good descriptions of Mr Tulkinghorn also, but I didn't think to highlight those.

What does everyone think about Esther's narration? Does she have a good grasp of people's characters? Is her narration suspect?

I suspect she is "spot on" when she describes Mrs. Pardiggle and her five sons. I loved the thought that Esther had about Mr. Pardiggle and Mr. Jellyby meeting: "Suppose Mr Pardiggle were to dine with Mr Jellyby, and suppose Mr Jellyby were to relieve his mind after dinner to Mr Pardiggle, would Mr Pardiggle, in return, make any confidential communication to Mr Jellyby? I was quite confused to find myself thinking this, but it came into my head."

I'm thinking that Dickens must have been the recipient of many letters from different groups (women) asking for money or for his help. His revenge was the portrayals of Mrs. Jellyby and Mrs. Pardiggle.

☯Emily wrote: "What does everyone think about Esther's narration? Does she have a good grasp of people's characters? Is her narration suspect?

I suspect she is "spot on" when she describes Mrs. Pardiggle and ..."

I am not that far along but I love Esther's observations so far. The description of Mrs Jellyby's house had me laughing to tears. I can't help but wonder if Anne Tyler didn't get some of her inspiration for her odd characters from Dickens' weirdos.

I loved the section with Mrs. Pardiggle too! I kept on giggling! I love the description of the looks on the boys' faces. I also love how Dickens talks about the people that talk too much about giving, and those that don't but do more.

I listened to about 2 hours more of the book today... There's a lot more humor than I thought a "Bleak" book would have...

How is everyone going with this? Kirsten mentioned the book has more humour than expected. Is the book what you all were expecting or different?

I'm finding the book - particularly those chapters narrated by Esther - very enjoyable and difficult to put down.

I was reflecting that Dickens, although writing for adults, includes children as important characters in many of his books. It struck me that this was a little unusual among classic authors writing for adults.

I got bogged down with family commitments and slacked off this one for the moment, but if I understand correctly, we have three months to read it. So I should get back to it when things cool down.

I agree I like Esther's narration the best, although I am not very far in.

Esther's narration is readable and fun. The remaining chapters are not as interesting because Dickens editorializes in them or has descriptions that go on way too long.

I returned to this and just finished chapter 10. Dickens' descriptions while long are quite enjoyable often with shards of humor.

I've never heard of this one from Dickens, but I'm excited to try it out. Just waiting for my library hold to come through.

RebeccaS wrote: "I've never heard of this one from Dickens, but I'm excited to try it out. Just waiting for my library hold to come through."

Be forewarned, it is quite long and very wordy, my copy (Penguin Classic on Kindle) is 788 pages just for the text of the book. Notes, prefaces, and etc is another 94 pages.

I am enjoying it, but to be honest I am not sure I could make it through this without the Audible version. I listen and read simultaneously. The bad thing about that is when I nod off, the book keeps reading itself rather than just shutting off and holding my spot like my PaperWhite does. At my age, reading has become something of a nap interrupted by paragraphs.

I nominated this book because I had started it several years ago for a class, but never made it through. I got the chapters in this section read, but I am stuck in Part II. I do not like Horace Skimpole and I get bogged down every time he makes an appearance. He is the type of character I hate. Everyone in the books seems to like his "child-like" persona, which is in reality a lazy, selfish egoist. He would have been a great actor, if that profession were available to him.

Thanks for the warning Henry! I also put the audio-book on hold so I hope that will help me slog through it. I usually stay away from long books, but I'm going to try and make it, since we have a long time to read it.

☯Emily wrote: "I nominated this book because I had started it several years ago for a class, but never made it through. I got the chapters in this section read, but I am stuck in Part II. I do not like Horace S..."

Yeah, Skimpole is a real piece of work. I have known people like him that some how get into dutch and somehow manage to make those about them accept their guilt.

I read this last year and found skimpole quite amusing. Esther has a good heart. Maybe not a good head, hard to say.

The book doesn't become a 'can't put it down' book until well past halfway through but I found it was worth it to stay the course.

Thanks for the encouragement, Theresa. I'm currently stuck on a Skimpole section and I have little energy or patience to read this part.

I'm a little scared, but I will be starting this one today.

Don't be scared. Just take one page at a time.

I just finished the first 2 chapters. I love the way Dickens describes how the court case has been going on and on and on.

Other than that I'm not quite sure what's going on yet.

It makes you wonder if he makes the court case vague for the reader to make the point that his characters have also forgotten about what it was all about. It has a life of its own.

Good point Theresa! That's definitely the impression I got.

I've met Mrs. Jellyby! What a strange lady. I guess Dickens is showing how so many people (back then and still today) spend so much time worried about helping others, that they forget about their own family.

RebeccaS wrote: "Good point Theresa! That's definitely the impression I got.

I've met Mrs. Jellyby! What a strange lady. I guess Dickens is showing how so many people (back then and still today) spend so much t..."

That seems to be one of the many themes of this book, Dickens takes to task the loud philanthropists--those who do a lot of talking about their good works. It is something of a wordy 19th century version of money talks and BS walks.

Wow I just finished the first part. I definitely think it got better as the story went on, because at first it was pretty slow and strange.

I'm really glad I'm listening to the audiobook, because if I was reading it I would be super slower.

The story tends to jump around a bit and there are so many characters! I am tempted to write them all down because there are so many and they all seem to have a different story line, though they are still a little connected. Sometimes Dickens seems to ramble on and on and I almost lose the thread of this thought. However, there are some other more stream-lined scenes that make up for it.

It's a little strange that the narrator is a pretty boring character. Maybe Dickens did that so she can mostly be there to relate the details of all that's going on with the characters around her.

I like the comic relief that's included with Mrs. Jellyby, Pardiggle, and even Skimpole. I think in real life, they would drive me a little nuts, but I like the way they are included in this complex story.

RebeccaS wrote: "Wow I just finished the first part. I definitely think it got better as the story went on, because at first it was pretty slow and strange.

I'm really glad I'm listening to the audiobook, because..."

I actually like Esther as a narrator. She lets us know what is going on without the long, tedious, pompous writing of the rest of the book.

☯Emily wrote: "I actually like Esther as a narrator. She lets us know what is going on without the long, tedious, pompous writing of the rest of the book. "

I agree, Esther seems to be a anchor of commonsense among a bizarre collection of 19th century weirdos.

Henry wrote: "☯Emily wrote: "I actually like Esther as a narrator. She lets us know what is going on without the long, tedious, pompous writing of the rest of the book. "

I agree, Esther seems to be a anchor o..."

I wish I had a like button!

I've often wished Goodreads had a like button! Have to say, that I kinda like the weirdos. It'd all be pretty grim without them to lighten things up a bit.

One of my favourites was Caddy Jellyby.

Have you come across Mr Turveydrop yet Emily? Given your reaction to Skimpole, I eagerly await your thoughts on him!!

I like Caddy. I have heard the name Turveydrop but haven't quite figured out who he is or have forgotten.

I used Richard's financial methodology a few years ago to calculate that by not playing the lottery from age 20 to 80 and figuring the price of gas and wages for my time to go buy a daily $1.00 ticket, I won almost $350,000.

Imagine how much Mr Skimpole must make a year by using Richard's formula.

I also like Caddy. Mr. Turveydrop is the father of Caddy's fiance. Yes, RitaSketter, I don't like him either and I hope we won't have to read much more about him. Esther doesn't like Turveydrop, but she seems to enjoy Mr. Skimpoles's company. That is puzzling to me.

☯Emily wrote: "I also like Caddy. Mr. Turveydrop is the father of Caddy's fiance. Yes, RitaSketter, I don't like him either and I hope we won't have to read much more about him. Esther doesn't like Turveydrop, ..."

Oh yes the proprietor of the dance school, with deportment. I don't like him or his deportment.

Hm, I have this one to read on my TBR shelf. I wasn't impressed with Dickens so far from Great Expectations and not sure I have time to get to this one right now, but I like doing these group reads and have it to try, so may take a glance at it tonight and try it out.

I really liked Caddy and her fiance. Mr. Turveydrop was really annoying to me. Rambling on and on and on about deportment. I just wanted to be able to run away from him.