#ClassicsCommunity 2021 Reading Challenge discussion

I am, but I'll probably start on February.

Darn I’m doing another buddy read in Feb but this is on my shelves! Maybe I’ll read it in March and check back here to see what everyone else said

Yay! Thanks for being so accommodating everyone that was so nice

I’d love to join! I’ve been waiting to read this for years :)

Interested, but not until February.

Sounds great! Count me in :)

So are we reading the book in February or March.

Sounds good!

Great! I'll be here in March for this one! Looking forward!

I'd love to join in!

Would love to join in!

I would love to join! Looking forward to it!

I would love to join in as well!

Hi! I would like to join in on this. Last year, Great Expectations was my favorite book out of 39 total books read. Also, a few years ago, I listened to the first few chapters of ToTC on audio and it was great. March works for me!

BTW, I will be reading from the Barnes and Nobles classics edition.

Ooo that would be perfect to read in March as I am currently reading War and Peace which I should hopefully have read by the end of February and then I can start A Tale Of Two Cities as my next classic.

I'd like to join in too! I started reading it last year during Victober but I was reading too many books at the same time and I couldn't focus so I put it down. I think reading it along with all of you and at a slower pace should work wonderfully for me :)

Anna wrote: "What do you guys think of starting on 1st March and reading about six chapters each week? We could then discuss them each Saturday and the whole book (my edition has 59 chapters) would take us abou..."
Wonderful!

Aleksandra wrote: "I'd like to join in too! I started reading it last year during Victober but I was reading too many books at the same time and I couldn't focus so I put it down. I think reading it along with all of..."

Cant Wait!

March is tomorrow! Is everyone still ready to start buddy reading? Maybe we can discuss the book every weekend of the month?

Jenna wrote: "March is tomorrow! Is everyone still ready to start buddy reading? Maybe we can discuss the book every weekend of the month?"

I'm ready too! Yes I'm also glad to be reading this book in a buddy read. And, thank you, Jenna, for keeping us on track!

Earlier in this thread Anna posted asking us all if we want to read 6 chapters per week and then discuss the book each Saturday, as an idea (see message 9 of this thread for more info). Just wanted to mention that in case it's helpful:)

Hi! I know it’s last minute but I would also like to join in the buddy read

I’m ready. Let’s do this thing! 📚📗❤️

That sounds good! I do remember that comment. My edition is broken into “three books” (parts) and book one is six chapters. Just for reference, book two has 24 chapters and book three has 15 chapters, so 45 chapters total is approximately 7 weeks.
Does that seem on par with your editions? That way we can adjust accordingly if we want to finish in a certain amount of time. Especially if anyone is listening to an audiobook that might have tracks that are different from the chapters, it could be helpful.
For this week, I will just read the six chapters for my weekly goal and if I need to read more later than I will. :)

I have the Barnes & Noble Classics edition and it’s set up the same way: Part 1 has 6 chapters, 52 pages. I suspect all editions are like this.

Jenna wrote: "That sounds good! I do remember that comment. My edition is broken into “three books” (parts) and book one is six chapters. Just for reference, book two has 24 chapters and book three has 15 chapte..."

That sounds great! My book is also set up that way. This week my goal will also be to read the first 6 chapters. I think we have a very good plan moving forward:)

Part 1 it is.

I'm starting today but I'll make sure to read the first part by Saturday!

My thoughts on Chap 1-6, Book 1:

I had quite a bit of difficulty getting into this first part of the book, so I ended up re-reading these opening chapters several times this past week. At about the 4th or so re-read I also started reading the book out loud and that really helped! After that I began to understand better what was going on and to actually visualize better their trip traveling from London to France by mail. Very challenging bumpy ride!

I enjoyed the description of Mr. Lorry sitting there in the coffee-room after his arrival waiting for Miss Manette; that really made smile! I think at that point I started to really like Mr. Lorry.

Later on when they went up to retrieve the shoemaker---and I was on the edge of my seat during that part! Then there was that touching moment with Miss Manette and the shoemaker which was awesome and I was crying reading it. Then when Mr. Lorry and Monsieur Defarge react to the scene, and: "Mr Lorry...after repeated blowings of his nose..." THAT is when I knew I adore Mr. Lorry!

I am completely into the story now and thrilled with Dickens' writing and descriptions. Of course I have many other thoughts but I'll leave it here for now:)

Congrats, Gia. I have not started yet, but I'm crying out to you in case you feel like you're in the wilderness. I have every intention of reading this book, although I might get it on audio just to ensure that it gets done. I'm glad to hear you're all in now.

Cedricsmom wrote: "Congrats, Gia. I have not started yet, but I'm crying out to you in case you feel like you're in the wilderness. I have every intention of reading this book, although I might get it on audio just t..."

Aw, Cedricsmom, you're the BEST! Thank you so much for reaching out to me! I did feel like I was in the wilderness. Thank you again! Yes, I'm all in:) This book has grabbed a hold of me and it won't let go, lol! I think listening to the audio book is a great idea! I'm definitely going to do that at some point.

I started it and I’m almost done with the first section. I’m reading now where Madame Manette is in the garret with the 2 “bankers”? and the shoemaker. I’m such a slow reader. I didn’t understand what was going on in the scene leading up to this point at all. I thought Mr Lorry was trying to con or kidnap her. Fortunately I read a short synopsis that clued me in to what’s going on. It’s a captivating story although I think the writing is not as good as in Great Expectations. I also thought that this part of the story was taking place in Dover...are they in Paris in chapter 6?

Great job!! Getting through Book 1 is an accomplishment!! Miss Mannette is escorted to the garrett by Mr. Lorry, a banker, and Monsieur Defarge, a wine-shop owner whose shop is below the garrett. I agree that the chapters leading up to this scene are hard to understand. It gets easier if you keep reading--more details are given, more things fall into place, and the characters are better revealed as the story continues. I understood these opening chapters in Book 1 much better later on in the book. Mr. Lorry is assisting Miss Mannette in the very important work of meeting her father. Yes, I think you're right about Dover. I think they are in Saint Antoine in Chap 6 because that is where the Defarges live. I was continually getting confused as to the location at different parts of the story. My experience of that has gotten a little better after reading on further, too. I hope that helps!

Thanks, Gia. That’s very helpful. I felt like such a dunce. I’m going to finish book 1 today and start into book 2. How far are you now?

You're welcome, Cedricsmom! Glad it was helpful:) This is tough reading and difficult. It's set in a former time in unfamiliar places across the globe unknown to us, written in an old-fashioned tongue and language, against the backdrop of the French Revolution. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far!

Well, this is embarrassing...I read ahead because the book grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go, lol! (And also at that time I didn't know if this buddy read was still happening until you reached out to me!) To answer your question, I am nearing the end of the book now, Chap 11 of Book 3. My plan now is to finish the book (probably today) and then go back and re-read based on the time frame for this buddy read that's listed. A re-read will be good; I know there are plenty of things I missed.

"Well, this is embarrassing..." Don't be embarrassed. This helps me because when I get stuck, I can ask you questions :-D

Okay, great! I won't be then:) Thank you! Yes, you can and I'll be glad to help the best I can!

Oh, and I forgot to say earlier... even at this late stage of the book... I STILL adore Mr. Lorry! He's my favorite of them all!

Gia wrote: Oh, and I forgot to say earlier... even at this late stage of the book... I STILL adore Mr. Lorry! ..."

OK, good to know. Note to self: Lorry is one of the good guys. Now I don't have to waste energy distrusting him :-D Thanks.

That's right! :) You're welcome.

Well I don't know what happened to all of our readers, but I'm here and I'm glad I'm finally reading this book. I'm in Book II now, chapter 3. There's still time to join in. It really did not take me that long to read Book I.

I'm starting to get a sense of how the book is constructed; it's kind of like a movie where they show you different events in different times, but how those events play into the whole story is revealed bit by bit. The good news is that what is happening while I'm reading something is actually interesting enough to hold my attention. And I am not shy about highlighting and writing on my pages. I think it's best to buy a used book if I want to mark it up so I don't feel bad about defacing a brand new book.

I hope other people will still join in. Happy reading!

Hi, I never commented before but I’m reading the book as well and am currently in Book II, chapter 2.
Being French makes the background relatively easy to understand but I sometimes struggle with understanding the first chapter of the books.
I really enjoyed Book I, especially the end and I am slowly getting into Book II.

Manon wrote: "Hi, I never commented before but I’m reading the book as well and am currently in Book II, chapter 2.
Being French makes the background relatively easy to understand but I sometimes struggle with ..."

Cool! Welcome! You sound like another person that I can ask questions about the history of the period.

I know what you mean by not understanding the first chapters. Gia said in an earlier message that more gets revealed as we read on. It sounds like you and I are at the same part. I just finished chapter 2 Book II, and I expected there to be a big reveal at the end of chapter 2 with names being named, but that didn't happen. Still, I think this is some kind of foreshadowing. Obviously it's Lucie Manette and her father against Charles Darnay, but it doesn't say explicitly. There must be a connection between these 3 characters later in the story.

@Cedricsmom it is like a movie--great analogy! I'm glad you're here too! Thank you for reaching out to the others; I hope they join in! I underlined a lot of stuff in my book, too:)

@Manon Hello to you and Welcome! Glad you are reading with us and joining us in the discussion! We are reading 6 chapters or so a week and then discussing on the weekends.

Of course if you have questions about the period, I’ll try and answer them.
Indeed, I think we’ll learn more as we read on, I’m quite intrigued.

@Gia thank you very much :)

Manon wrote: "Of course if you have questions about the period, I’ll try and answer them.
Indeed, I think we’ll learn more as we read on, I’m quite intrigued."

Thank you! I know we'll be asking you some questions for sure! Thank you for your help in advance:) This is a great book. You are welcome!

Thanks so much for your replies! I was behind but you really helped with my understanding! I also am getting the audiobook to switch to. I think it will help me stay on track/catch up to you who are at book 3!

I’m still in book 2.

Jenna wrote: "Thanks so much for your replies! I was behind but you really helped with my understanding! I also am getting the audiobook to switch to. I think it will help me stay on track/catch up to you who ar..."

Hi Jenna! You're so welcome. Cool, glad we can help! I think an audio book is a super idea! No need to hurry getting to Book 3 because no one is yet there. I'm also in Book 2 right now because I'm re-reading it again for this buddy read. This week we are reading Chapters 1-6 of Book 2 and then discussing it this weekend:)

Thoughts on Chap 1-6, Book 2: Description of Tellson Bank is rich in imagery...about how "you fall into Tellson's down two steps..." and where "the ancient-est of men help you there" with your banking. Also, Miss Pross is a hoot! Mr. Lorry is my favorite character though.

I’m a little behind ( still in chapter 3), but I don’t understand how “Tellsons...had taken so many lives...” What? Did they fall down the steps and die? 🤔 I didn’t get what was going on there.