The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

I feel so badly that I haven't been part of the Dickens biography read. I was so excited about it, read a couple of chapters, and then I got buried by papers and lesson plans. Even had to drop out of the Wives and Daughters discussion.

It's because of all the snow days we've had in the Northeast. Completely messed up all my syllabi for the semester, and how I space out assignments. And doing class online for snow days generates far more paper work than regular classes.

But I will be back for Bleak House - come heck or high waters! - and I will read the biography over the summer.

I didn't want you all to think that I just dropped out for no reason.

Zulfiya wrote: "Let's be honest - Bleak House and Great Expectations will be too much to handle for some teens, but only because there is a trend to dumb down. They can definitely handle Pickwick Papers, Oliver Tw..."

They could do it - I read Great Expectations and Hard Times in high school - but they don't any more. As you said, there is more non-fiction. And seeing some of the reading lists now, when students do read literature, they have more recent choices. Most of which are good and should be read, but they still should read the classics as well and they really don't.

Hedi wrote: "So due to my busy work weeks, I would not mind if we started around 19th or 26th of April. If I cannot make it then, I will just catch up as usual."

Hedi, I am still thinking about the next read. I definitely plan to take a three-week break because I have to work on a schedule. Also much depends on our next group read. To the best of my knowledge, we are reading The Idiot by Dostoevsky. I know I volunteered some time ago because a. I read the novel some time ago, b. the novel can be challenging because of Russian names and other cultural lacunae, and it would be logical if someone from this culture would lead the discussion or act as a consultant. I do not know yet - I will talk to Deborah and Silver, and we will let you know, guys.

Besides, I also plan to start book three of Zola project in April - May, and I will be travelling a lot in May because I annually go to Russia to see my parents. So it might be a little bit of hassle here in the group. Maybe someone wants to lead The Idiot or someone wants to lead the discussion of the Bleak House. I will definitely participate, but I might need significant extra help.

Other than that, I finished reading the Tomalin's book and looking forward to further Dickens discussions. :-) And obviously, I can not miss TBH because it is my favorite book by Dickens.

Lynnm wrote: "They could do it - I read Great Expectations and Hard Times in high school "

I know they can as I read Dickens when I was in secondary and high school, but so many innuendos and nuances were missed and only rediscovered when I re-read Dickens as a part of my college graduate and post-graduate studies; what's more - I even personally discovered new layers re-reading with you, guys.

GE is so sexually charged and sometimes literally freakish and eerie that for students it could be a challenge because they can not rely sufficiently on their personal experience to enrich their interpretation. I am sure that the first part of the book GE is definitely relatable, and the same is true about DC, but then it gets too emotionally demanding.

It can also be demanding because the emphasis recently has shifted towards non-fiction, and their exposure to literature is limited due to non-fiction focused curricula and mind-boggling popularity of poorly written genre books.

I have nothing against fantasy as a genre; I actually like it and read quality fantasy, but some of the books on the market are of dubious quality, and that is what is on the rise. One of the examples is The Twilight. Emotional and psychological values aside, the writing is simplistic and underwhelming, and that's an understatement.

Zulfiya, if it is only about posting the thread on a weekly base in May I will definitely be able to help out. That should not be a big issue and you do not have to be a moderator for that do you?

I would also like to read The Idiot, but I will probably have a hard time keeping up with one book next month. So April 1 is probably too early for me. :-(

It is thread posting and supporting discussion. I try to respond to threads (sometimes it takes me longer than it should). And you do not have to be a moderator to lead a discussion - anyone who wants to can open threads, post, and lead the discussion.

And April 01 is definitely out of question :-)

Yes, I was referring to the Dostoyevsky reading.
As I said I would prefer the end of April, as I will be so busy myself, too.
If the others want to start then I could at least help out with the moderating of the discussions while you are on your trip to Russia.
Let us see what the others say.

Waiting until the end of April for Bleak House would suit me well. I've got a great deal of other books to read and would enjoy a bit of a respite, as much as I love Dickens! Regardless, I will go along with whatever the group decides. :-)

I hope to read The Idiot, as well. I'm trying to get back into the Dickens Biography now, but I am woefully behind. :(

Ultimately, any start date is okay for me. I'll muddle through, and catch up like I always do. :)

Renee, don't' we all dream of having a couple of extra reading hours per day. The technique of stretching reading time has not been mastered yet ... alas!

I'm good with end of April to start Bleak House as well. When willLa Curée be starting Zulfiya?

I will post the schedule for the next Zola novel today, and I plan to start on Monday 14.

I'm in for both Dickens and Zola.

I have posted the reading schedule for the next Zola read right here.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

As for the Dickens project, as soon as we finish reading his biography ... :-)

Zulfiya wrote: "Alas, the educational trend nowadays is to read utilitarian texts and non-fiction because these are the main texts we will ostensibly deal with in our future life. Literature as a source of emotional knowledge, human experience, psychological insight, and first of all compassion is nonsensical in modern world. :-((("

You've said a mouthful, Sister!

I know that Zulfiya is very busy so I thought I would start the discussion on when to start the next book: Hard Times. Also, I bought the book today, and thought the following reading schedule would work:

Week 1 - Book the First, Chapters 1-5
Week 2 - Book the First, Chapters 6-10
Week 3 - Book the First, Chapters 11-16
Week 4 - Book the Second, Chapters 1-6
Week 5 - Book the Second, Chapters 7-12
Week 6 - Book the Third, Chapters 1-5
Week 7 - Book the Third, Chapters 6-9

Lastly, I thought September 14 would work well to start the book. Two weeks should be enough to iron out the reading schedule.

Let me know what you think!!!

Zulfiya - let me know if you want me to open up a thread for the reading schedule.

I am indeed very busy as today we start reading book IV in the Zola cycle, and I have not opened the thread yet - maybe in a couple of hours :-)

We also finally learned that our house offer was accepted, and the realtor agency will take up to 30 days to close the case, and then we will be moving.

I will still be commuting, but it will be manageable - 30-40 minutes which is not a commute at all in some places.

I was actually thinking about the Dickens project a couple of hours ago before you posted, Lynnm. My plan was to open the discussion on September 15. The book is not a massive one as it is usually the case with Dickens, so a seven-week schedule sounds like a good plan for this type of the novel.

I just want to warn you that I tried to read this book more than ten years ago, and it was 'teeth-grindingly' hard to read not because it was so challenging, but because it is bleak as everything else is going to be now with Dickens. Happy, funny days of his earlier novels are gone for ever. Dickens is a staunchest pessimist now, but the extravaganza of characters continues :-)


I hope this time, I will persevere more with a company of very enthusiastic readers

First, congratulations on the house!!! That's great. And a 30-40 minute commute isn't too bad.

This - to me - is going to be the hardest book to get through...truly 'hard times'!!! After that, all the novels are great.

Lynnm wrote: "I know that Zulfiya is very busy so I thought I would start the discussion on when to start the next book: Hard Times. Also, I bought the book today, and thought the following reading schedule wou..."

Looking forward to this!

Congrats on the house, Zulfiya! As Lynnm said, 30-40 min isn't bad. My commute, including a stop at daycare, and a transfer to my vanpool at the park-n-ride, is an hour. But then of course I get to read in my vanpool, so it's not all bad. :)

I actually just picked up a copy of Hard Times when I saw it on clearance for 80 cents. But I've already committed to reading Dombey and Son with another group, and I fear it would be a mistake reading two Dickens simultaneously. I could see myself getting the characters between the books all mixed up, so I'm probably going to sit this one out.

Two Dickens novels at the same time will be too much, and I really like Dickens, but still I would find this overwhelming. :-)

I am sure you will enjoy D&S - it is actually one of his best novels, not as good as BH, but still quite good with a lot of serious literary undertones, and he never gets good credit for them because everyone is still looking for happy, optimistic, grotesquely delightful Dickens.

I also hope that you will come back for his other novels because they really promise to be interesting.

Zulfiya wrote: "I also hope that you will come back for his other novels because they really promise to be interesting."

Thanks! I will keep a lookout for the upcoming Dickens reads here.

Zulfiya, also from my side Congratulations to selling your house and good luck with the move.
The middle of September for starting Hard Times sounds good. Though I will have a very busy time at least till mid-November, so I might fall behind, but will catch up again.
I must admit that I am now a little intimidated by your comments about having had a hard time reading this novel.
But together it should not be an issue. The discussions have always been so inspiring that also bleak, hard times become more than just manageable. :-)

Lynnm, thanks for setting up a reading schedule. I was also thinking about this today. :-)
Maybe I will start with the first chapters next weekend though I have just started The Professor of Charlotte Brontë.

Zulfiya, if you don't already listen to audiobooks, a not-too-challenging commute is a good opportunity. There are many recordings of classics available through libraries, Librivox, Audible and other services. It's a way I increase my "reading" time.

Unfortunately, I started Hard Times twice, once in print and once on audio, but I stopped both times. I think it was because of the grimness. So we'll see how it goes this time.

I do listen to a number of audiobooks either when I exercise or when I go grocery shopping, so I am going to use this commute time listening to the books I plan to read.

On average, I listen to about 50% of my books per year, so I know how invaluable audio-books are.

Robin wrote: "Zulfiya, if you don't already listen to audiobooks, a not-too-challenging commute is a good opportunity. There are many recordings of classics available through libraries, Librivox, Audible and oth..."

I tried listening to an audiobook on my commute just once. I felt that if I was paying attention to the story that I wouldn't be paying enough attention to my driving. So after only about 5 minutes, I turned it off.

But they are great for home. I used to love listening to audiobooks and crocheting at the same time.

Soo... We're finishing Hard Times soon. Is the plan to jump into Little Dorrit (985 pages) or to spend some time with the Christmas tales? I don't know which you've covered since I hadn't joined you until David Copperfield (I'm on my phone so I can't see all the threads.). It might be nice to read these to finish out the year, since I don't think the Project will see another December. There are only 5 books left, including Tale of Two Cities, which is short, and Edwin Drood, which was unfinished.. What do you think?

We've already done the Christmas tales, so I say, let's jump right into Little Dorrit!!! I've been so looking forward to these next three: Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations.

I'm good with forging ahead, I didn't realize we were so close to the end! Is there going to be a loop-around read for those of us who missed the beginning of the cycle? :)

I think people were talking about moving on to someone like Anthony Trollope when we finished Mr. Dickens - maybe his Barcester Towers novels...

Yes, yes, yes I REALLY want to do the Barchester Chronicles, please please please...

I would totally jump aboard the Barchester Chronicles - I have the first book just waiting for the right time. Or any Trollope for that matter, I've heard great things but haven't read anything by him yet.

I've been reading Trollope's Palliser series (also called the Parliamentary series) as a Buddy Read with the Victorians, because I couldn't find anyone to Trollope with me. I've thoroughly enjoyed every single one (Having read 4 out of 6 so far). I'd love to do the Barcester novels after Dickens. (And, maybe, his autobiography). :D

I'm up for Barchester, I got the whole series at a library sale once and have read the first 4, and I'd love to discuss them.

Guys, we still have not read the final Christmas story, so I actually planned to read it in November - December, but then we can his other novels without the Christmas break.

Which is the "final" Christmas story? So intriguing!

Actually two more - The Battle for Life and The Haunted Man. If you want we can do Little Dorrit and one of the two Christmas tales concurrently.

Personally, I'd like to start the new year with a new Dickens, beginning Little Dorrit on Jan. 1st. The two final Christmas books are about 220 pages together. What about some short stories? Or those two and a reread of A Christmas Carol? (I've got an audio of Patrick Stewart reading and it's fabulous enough to listen to every year.)

Renee wrote: "Personally, I'd like to start the new year with a new Dickens, beginning Little Dorrit on Jan. 1st..."

I'd prefer to start the next full novel on 1st Jan as for so many the run up to Xmas gets really busy with other commitments. Some short stories sound a good compromise :)

January 1st for Little Dorrit is fine by me.

I missed the Oliver Twist read because I was swamped at work at that time. So, I'll use this time to read OT now.

A Tale of Two Cities - May?

May!!

May sounds good!

Sounds good to me too!

I will probably be very busy at work until mid-June and am currently not even in the mood to read much, but I will catch up then if necessary. I have read A Tale of Two Cities before (and not so long ago) so I do know the plot and the characters already. I am curious whether my judgement of the novel then will match my judgement after our discussions.

May! I tried ATOTC a few years ago and found it hard to get into. I'm sure this group will help me on my second attempt :-)

Pip wrote: "May! I tried ATOTC a few years ago and found it hard to get into. I'm sure this group will help me on my second attempt :-)"

I've tried a couple of times myself in the past, get only a very short way, and give up (which I rarely do).

The group read will keep me going. Plus, I've read all the others...I'm not going to let this one trip me up in being able to say that I've read all of Dickens' novels.

Lynnm wrote: "Pip wrote: "May! I tried ATOTC a few years ago and found it hard to get into. I'm sure this group will help me on my second attempt :-)"

I've tried a couple of times myself in the past, get only a..."

Phew, not just me,then. I'm very glad to be in such good company Lynnm! I saw a film version since my original attempt so, although I normally like to read a novel before watching an adaptation, I'm sure this time it will help. Knowing the story more or less should enable me to enjoy the prose better.

The most accomplished novel (according to some literary connoisseurs) is the next one Great Expectations. I plan to start the discussion in August.

I am also playing with the idea of reading another companion novel Death and Mr. Pickwick: A Novel. If the idea gets enough grassroot support, we might read it as a side read. The subject matter is very much pertinent, so why not have fun, but I need to hear your opinions, friends

On a side note, it was fascinating to see all the discussion in the initial thread-has anyone still participating been around since the beginning ? I joined at THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP but have done all the novels with you since.