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The Book Club Online is the oldest book club on the Internet, begun in 1996, open to everyone. We offer cordial discussions of one book a month, 24/7 and enjoy the company of readers from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to join in
Join our celebration of Charles Dickens' 200th birthday in February.
The discussion of this book will begin on February 15
Bleak House
by Charles Dickens
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/cover.jpg) |
Bleak House is the 10th novel by Charles Dickens, published in twenty monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853. It is held to be one of Dickens's finest novels, containing one of the most vast, complex and engaging arrays of minor characters and sub-plots in his entire canon. The story is told partly by the novel's heroine, Esther Summerson, and partly by an omniscient narrator.
The story revolves around the mystery of Esther Summerson's mother and it involves a murder story and one of English fiction's earliest detectives, Inspector Bucket.
Most of all, though, the story is about love and how it can cut through human tangles and produce a happy ending. |
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/house.jpg)
The house where Dickens lived in 1850, said to have inspired his novel of the same name. He wrote Oliver Twist in this house.
DLs: JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net), Marcie (marciei@aol.com
), PatH (rjhighet@earthlink.net), Babi (jonkie@verizon.net), JoanK (joankraft13@yahoo.com)
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After much discussion and several votes, our readers have selected "Bleak House" to mark our celebration of Charles Dickens' life and work. This novel is considered his finest masterpiece and we couldn't have chosen a better way to remember him. "Great Expectations" was close behind and we promise to consider a discussion of this novel in the coming year if there is interest.
Please post below if you intend to be with us for the celebration - beginning on the author's birthday. Do you know the exact date? First one to post it, wins the prize.
We're looking forward to hearing from you -
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Joan, I am hoping to join in, although I'm not usually very good at keeping up with these group reads. First I need to find my copy - so I'm glad we've got a bit of time.
Rosemary
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Dickens' birthday is on February 7, 1812. We'll be celebrating the bicentenary of his birth.
Nancy
P.S. I've downloaded Bleak House to my new Kindle, so I'll be joining you.
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I am going to download a copy of Bleak House shortly. I doubt I will be able to keep up, but I will read the posts. My two accounting classes this semester will be taking quite a lot of my time. (Hurray, the last two).
BTW, this month's Smithsonian cover story is about Dickens.
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Frybabe, thanks for the info about the Dickens' article in the Smithsonian. There is some info on the magazine's website at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Going-Mad-for-Charles-Dickens.html
I'll be joining this discussion too!
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Congratulations, FRYBABE, on nearing the end of your long trek. We're proud
of you!
Well, I guess it's time to ferret out a copy of Bleak House and start making
notes. Twenty installments, eh? That sounds like a fairly good way to read
it, too.
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Yes, Frybabe, you deserve a lot of credit.
I'm joining in too, though, like Rosemary, I have to find my copy. I haven't ever read it, bought it when Maryal-Deems told me she thought it Dickens' best book.
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I'll be joining you too. I have to download it to my Kindle. I have never read it, just watched it on PBS a few years ago.
Evelyn
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I just downloaded Bleak House to my Kindle. I opted for the "premium" edition with the Table of Contents for 99 cents.
Evelyn
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Isn't this great - to see so many of you gathering here already! I have a question for you, Evelyn, and other Kindle owners - when you download a book, do you also get to see the illustrations that accompanied the first installments of the story - and many further editions of the book? If not, I can include the illustrations from each installment as we go along.
Yes, there are 20 installments...and many characters. The main character is Esther Summerson - everyone else revolves around her. Babi - do you think it would help if we kept a cast of characters in the heading for quick referral? If so, should it be alphabetical or - in order of appearance?
Let's take our time with this...Dickens published each installments monthly, leaving his readers on edge until the next one came out. I'm not proposing that we take an installment a month, but perhaps a day or more if needed on each? When we - you feel ready to move on, we can do it. Let's see how it goes.
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Frybabe, that's a delicious article in the Smithsonian Magazine, isn't it? Thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. It gives you some sense of the Dickens celebration going on in England. And Scotland to, Rosemary? Let's do what we can to learn of how they are marking this author, second to Shakespeare in popularity over there...and celebrate along with them. Our reading and discussing his Bleak House is the centerpiece of our celebration, but we won't begin that until Feb.15.
His actual birthday is Feb. 7, (you win the prize, Aberlaine...first post out on the board!) Let's gather here - with the rest of the world - as we celebrate his birthday. We'll start then with Frybabe's contribution and the Smithsonian article.
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Joan, i know the BBC is putting on a lot of Dickens for this year, but to be honest I haven't noticed anything about it here in Edinburgh - all we see at the moment is endless stuff about Burns night, yet another opportunity for the supermarkets to try to sell us haggis, whisky, turnips, etc, etc.
I'm really glad you said we can take this slowly, as usually I can't keep up. I haven't been able to find my paper copy of Bleak House - it must be in the attic in a box - but I managed (with much grief) to download a copy from ManyBooks. This downloading to Kindle from anything other than Amazon is a nightmare - or maybe it's because I am trying to get it on to the loathsome MacBook? I don't know why it's so tortuous, but I was just about in tears over it on Sunday night - even Madeleine couldn't do it. I don't know how I got it in the end. Oh well - it's there now! I will have a look and see if it has any illustrations.
Rosemary
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Joan - my Kindle version does not have any illustrations.
Rosemary
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I have found something about Dickens' connections with Edinburgh - which I must admit I didn't know anything about:
http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/articles/?p=1354
Rosemary
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I see I am not the only one who felt like being in Edinbuggh was like being home. It is a feeling I have had no where else that I have traveled.
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JOAN, list of characters would probably be most helpul, at least until we become familiar with them. Alphabetical usually works best; it's easier to find the one you're looking for.
I very much enjoyed that link, ROSEMARY. I think a Dickens tartan would be
a great idea. What colors, do you think? Considering the social issues in so
much of his writing, I would think gray must be one of them. If not black.
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Babi - you sound as if you've read the Preface, the opening chapter of Bleak House! :D What color is "fog"? We'll have to add that to the black and gray! Rosemary, a wonderful site... I noticed a shop where one can buy Scottish tartan items. My grandson, with the middle name "MacGregor" has taken a liking to ties. MacGregor is his paternal grandmother's clan. His birthday is in March. I ordered him a MacGregor tartan tie. Now let's hope it gets here for his party.
And just think, Frybabe, we have someone there to visit the next time we go there...
Babi - I think I've found a good link to the Bleak House characters to include in the heading once we begin. I also found a chart that indicates which chapters were published with each printed edition. Chapters I-IV were included in the opening edition. Not too long...about 45 pages. Slower reading getting into the story, but it does pick up before the first edition is over. If you get an early start, please share your observations on how long it's taking you.
I'm not saying aloud how many pages in the book...let's just say, we'll take this very slowly so that we can read other books, and live our lives...as we slowly inch forward. We won't put any deadline on completion. A rough estimation - 3 months. Fry? Hopefully you can fit it into your Accounting schedule...
How does that sound to everyone? I just read that the celebration of Dickens' birthday is not just for February - but all year long. We can move right into "Great Expectations" before the year is out, Hats! :D
Rosemary- not to worry, I've got the 42 plates, the original illustrations from the first edition - and will post them here as we discuss the chapters where they appeared.
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My version of Bleak House says it is unabridged and Illustrated by Hablot "Phiz" Knight Browne. However the only illustration I have seen so far is the opening page which has a tree in the foreground and a castle-like building in the distance. If there are any other illustrations, I haven't seen them yet.
I think a link to the cast of characters will be very helpful. Otherwise I personally would never be able to keep them all straight.
Evelyn
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That's the illustrated copy, Evelyn - didn't you say you have it on your Kindle? Illustrated! Lucky you! That castle-like building that you see at the start - that's the frontispiece, an illustration of Bleak House! Quite dramatic, isn't it?
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Bleak_House_frontispiece2.jpg/170px-Bleak_House_frontispiece2.jpg)
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Just ordered Norton's edition of Bleak House. Lots of articles recently about him in magazines.
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Joan - Glad you found that link helpful in more ways than one! I didn't notice it was a shop until after I had posted the link - I don't get commission - honest!
Rosemary
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( Oops, I had already posted in the old 'Discussion' site. I went back and copied
the post for here.)
I have my copy of Bleak House from the library, one with the original 'Phiz'
illustrations, a list of characters, and even a chronology of Dickens' life. I
don't really see how the latter could be much help in dicussing the book, but
the publishers included it anyway.
Oh, yes, it also has a short preface in which Dickens briefly defends his depiction of the Court of Chancery. He insists it was every bit as bad as he said!
I will add here, that JOAN's reference to the fog is to the opening chapter of
Bleak House. For everyone's encouragement, I would say that all the fog,fog,
fog and the numbing description of the Chancery Court is a short chapter, only about 6 1/2 pages.
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Babi - the Court of Chancery was improved after Dickens' time, but I would still say that our high courts are grindingly slow and arranged solely for the convenience of the judges. A while ago, commercial courts were introduced in which - heaven help us - actual appointments could be made for fixed times, to save all these important businessmen from wasting their precious hours. The rest of the courts still operate on the system by which every case for the day is listed for 10am, so everyone has to turn up then, and most will sit and wait for hours - and often then see the case put off till another day because one has over-run. You can imagine how much this costs in barristers' fees, etc. As a trainee solicitor I spent many, many hours sitting around at court waiting for something to happen. The whole thing revolves around the idea that the judges shouldn't be kept waiting - if anything else worked in this way, there would be a riot. Imagine going to the dentist and being told that every patient for the day had been listed for 10am, so you might not get to see the dentist till 5pm, if at all.
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http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1023
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Bluebird, so happy to have you with us! Pull up a chair - put on your party hat!
Will add the e-text link to the heading - Guttenberg does a great job - I'm going to check to see if this one has searchable text.
Babi, Evelyn - yes, the Hablot "Phiz" Knight Browne- those are the originals. Good! We'll add them as we go along. Evelyn, the next illustration appears at the end of Chapter 3 - it's called "The Little Old Lady."
"As a trainee solicitor I spent many, many hours sitting around at court waiting for something to happen." Rosemary, your input here is going to be invaluable. Hope you can stay the course! -
Babi...thanks for clarifying - that there are only six pages describing foggy Londontowne and the numbing Chancery Court Rosemary has described. :D
kidsal - when you come across articles on Dickens in the coming days, it would be great if you bring the name of the mag, the title of the article here. We'll try to find links as Frybabe did with the Smithsonian Article...
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Hooray! I spent at least thirty minutes in the attic last night, opening numerous boxes of books - and typically, in the last one I found my Penguin Classics copy of Bleak House, with illustrations. And I didn't even fall down the hatch...
Rosemary
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The January 30 edition of Time has an article on Dickens.
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ROSEMARY, I remember my Dad once asking "Why is it the thing you're
looking for is in the last place you look?" Taking the question seriously,
(I was quite young) I piped up, "Well, because then you stop looking."
I suspect a good many magazines will be carrying articles on Dickens. There
are fairs and lectures and displays popping up everywhere. All the Dickens museums will be going all out. From what the Smithsonian said, there is even a Dickens theme park in Chatham. I would be interested to see that. No doubt
instead of Mickey Mouse and Cinderella, they would have Mr. Micawber and
Little Dorrit.
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Here is a short Time Magazine article that you need not be a subscriber to read: http://entertainment.time.com/2012/01/20/dickens-turns-200-this-year-we-will-blog-his-ten-best-books/
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And for those with old National Geographics in the attic, check out the April, 1974 issue. Forty glorious pages of Charles Dickens' England. Including a very sooty, spectral Thames river scene. It's nice to hear that the fog lifts after only six pages. Once, in London, I remember, it stayed for a week. But then bleak is beautiful, when Dickens makes it so.
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kidsal, Thank you! I tried to link us to the Time article, but it seems you have to have a subscription in order to read it. Will keep an eye open for the paper copy. Again, thank you.
Marcie, how come we can read that Time article and not the one kidsal found? It's a wonderful article - Radhika Jones rated the 10 best of Dickens' books. For certain he'll include Bleak House. He plans to blog the top ten. He writes in the article - "
"Check back here on January 26 for the first installment."Well, today is the 26th. Can anyone find his blog...will it be #1?
OK, I just found an updated announcement -
Starting tomorrow, Jan. 27, we will blog his ten best novels. Why don't you follow along with us
Read more: http://entertainment.time.com/2012/01/26/why-to-read-dickens-now-or-watch-him-on-tv/#ixzz1kc6uznTe
Jonathan...you're a bigger pack rat than I am. Or is it just National Geographics that you save? Are you with us? I hope so. Surely you have saved a copy of Bleak House somewhere - like Rosemary - in the attic. Hint - look in the last box first!
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I assume that the Time article kidsal mentions is longer and is a "feature" article. Time only makes some of their articles available to non-subscribers.
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My library is out of Bleak House, so I'm on hold. Those of you who have Kindle editions, have you found any that have both table of contents and illustrations?
I've never read the book, but purchased the DVD collection shortly after the PBS performances four or five years back. Haven't watched it since then.
The links look interesting. I was hoping National Geographic might have its April 74 issue on line, but no such luck. Time Magazine hopefully will arrive as usual on Saturday.
The link below is from a college course on Bleak House that lasted a semester. (Norton ed. required, Sally). Within the link there is another link to the class blog, and I didn't go all the way back to the beginning, but it appears that one can.
Bleak House Semester Course (http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/departments/english/Reitz_-_Fall_2009_300.pdf)
Anyway, I'm looking forward to starting, and am hoping I can stay with it.
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Pedlin,
I got my copy at Amazon for my Kindle - I bought the "premier" edition with the Table of Contents and illustrations. It cost 99 cents.
Evelyn
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Yes, I have a copy of Bleak House. Like Pat, I bought it after hearing Maryal-Deems' opinion about it. Looking forward with great expectations to reading it along with all of you. Already I've learned to love the fog. If Dickens can make English weather that attractive, what will he do with English law?
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Thanks Evelyn. I just got it now.
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Pedln, Jonathan - that's good news! So happy you will be able to join us.
That's an interesting link to the college course. I skimmed through and found a blog associated with it...for after we've completed this ambitious undertaking. I'll squirrel the link to the blog somewhere safe until then. Thanks!
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ATTRACTIVE??!!, JONATHAN? I hope you mean entertaining, for Dickens
presents nothing attractive whatsoever about the Law. :P
I'm so glad you are going to be with us. I know you'll have a lot to offer the discussion.
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I too got the Kindle illustrated edition for 99 cents. What a bargain.
What would Dickens think about his 800 page book going for so cheap?
Looking forward to the discussion.
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The Book Club Online is the oldest book club on the Internet, begun in 1996, open to everyone. We offer cordial discussions of one book a month, 24/7 and enjoy the company of readers from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to join in
Join our celebration of Charles Dickens' 200th birthday in February.
The discussion of this book will begin on February 15
Bleak House
by Charles Dickens
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/cover.jpg) |
Bleak House is the 10th novel by Charles Dickens, published in twenty monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853. It is held to be one of Dickens's finest novels, containing one of the most vast, complex and engaging arrays of minor characters and sub-plots in his entire canon. The story is told partly by the novel's heroine, Esther Summerson, and partly by an omniscient narrator.
The story revolves around the mystery of Esther Summerson's mother and it involves a murder story and one of English fiction's earliest detectives, Inspector Bucket.
Most of all, though, the story is about love and how it can cut through human tangles and produce a happy ending. |
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/house.jpg)
The house where Dickens lived in 1850, said to have inspired his novel of the same name. He wrote Oliver Twist in this house.
A Word A Day featuring Dickensian words (http://wordsmith.org/words/today.html)
DLs: JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net), Marcie (marciei@aol.com
), PatH (rjhighet@earthlink.net), Babi (jonkie@verizon.net), JoanK (joankraft13@yahoo.com)
That's good to hear, JudeS! Will be looking for you as soon as the ship makes it to shore! That is a bargain!
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And I'm in. Started to read it last night, and loved it.
PEDLIN: for my kindle, I splurged and got The Complete Dickens for $2.99. At the beginning, it has an interactive table of contents to the books, and once you get to Bleak house, it has an interactive table of contents to the chapters. It has the illustrations, but on my kindle, they're hard to see (or msybe it's my eyesight :)).
ROSEMARY: we're going to depend on you to understand hopw the court works. Already, I understand chapter 1 better: everyone shows up, hoping their case will be called that day. AAAAACK. I read it last night, and there are a lot of references I didn't get. I'm dying to know: what is a "bag wig"?
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I'll be here too! I've never read "Bleak House" so I'm very happy that we'll be doing it together!
I have the huge facsimile edition of the 1938 Nonesuch Dickens with illustrations. However it's much too heavy for me to handle at this time, so my daughter downloaded a copy from Gutenberg (I think) onto my Nook. I'm not crazy about reading it on the Nook - I like more content per page than I can get on that - so tomorrow I'll see about putting it on my little notebook. Sounds as if this place is awash in gadgets!!
I have the DVD's of the BBC production of a few years ago, but I think I'd better read first and watch later.
I wonder if there is such a thing as a 2 vol. paperback of Bleak House? Now that would be just right for me!
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JoanR - I'm drooling all over my keyboard, reading of your 1938 facsimile edition! I understand why that would be too much to hold - but please promise to keep it out - on your dining room table, or some other place of honor - perhaps a dictionary reading stand - and spend 10 minutes a day reading it? Wonderful to hear that you will be joining in the discussion!
And PatH has the Norton Critical edition, with extremely valuable footnotes! Where does one get such a copy? Pat promises to share her findings from those footnotes.
JoanK, welcome, welcome! Not only are you "in" but you have volunteered to help lead the discussion! We are in good hands!
This is going to be a very special birthday discussion - Dickens would be quite pleased, I do believe.
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For now, I am avoiding the 'introductions' to the book. The front one is by
a Barbara Hardy and is 20 pages long. I think that is rather more than an 'introduction'. The appendix includes an earlier introduction by G. K. Chesterton. I know I'll want to read that one, eventually. But I want to see
what my own impressions are, before reading theirs.
I looked up Barbara Hardy. She is a biographer of writers, and has written
books about Hardy and Eliot, as well as Dickens. She might be a good source
to follow up on, since we discuss so many classic writers. I should probably
mention her over in non-fiction.
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Norton's Edition is available on Amazon -- have a used for $14.66
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Part of the lure of reading Dickens is finding out firsthand what everyday life was like in nineteenth century London. Some terms used in Dickens' works may be unfamiliar to today's readers and this glossary attempts to help readers better understand the times in which Dickens lived and described in such vivid detail.
http://www.charlesdickenspage.com/glossary.html
bag-wig: a black hair wig carried in a small silk bag.
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Thanks for the information, kidsal...I may have to order the Norton from Amazon...
I like the link to the glossary too...if I can find the glossary. There's a good map in that site.
Here's another view of the Bleak House on which Dickens based the house of the title. He wrote Oliver Twist while living in this house...
Today it's on the market - can be yours for only 2 million pounds!
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Bleak-house-broadstairs.jpg/800px-Bleak-house-broadstairs.jpg)
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I think the Norton paperback is widely available; I got mine at Politics and Prose. It was the last one, though they had several other editions too.
What are we waiting for? A mere 2 million pounds. Looks like a good summer retreat.
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And probably another 2 million on the heating bills. Anyone seen a banker's bonus kicking its heels?
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Now THIS is my image of Bleak House that I will keep in mind during the entire reading. It's an undated "vintage" postcard- I think I've seen this photo somewhere - dated 1920
(http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.238528557.jpg)
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That's great, KIDSAL. I've copied that link into my notes for handy
reference.
Hasn't the Bleak House location been transplanted for the book? I haven't
read anything that indicates the Jarndyce home is on the coast. It has
also bothered me slightly that the Jarndyce home is a happy one; it's the
Dedlock mansion that strikes me as bleak!
Okay, ROSEMARY. What's a 'banker's bonus', for us 'merican speakers. ;)
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Only 2 million pounds? We definately need to buy it for our vacation home. We can meet there, and read the book together.
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Thanks for the "bag wig". From the context, I gather that wearing a bag wig means you are low status. There is probably a heirarchy of wigs (the more curls, the higher status?) People are so funny!
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JOANP, I just stopped in for a moment and fell in love with that house. When do we leave?
I'm excited to see the inside, the round one-floor on the right would be - what? the library? And the staircase, in the middle of the house as you come in the front door do you think?
The two tower floors on the left would be the parlor downstairs, the master's bedroom on the second.
And do I live on the third floor and wear a little organdy white apron over my long black dress with a white cap and come when I am called? And am I up long before the family and take care of the fireplaces in the bedrooms and help Cook in the kitchen who gets cranky if I'm late?
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JoanP
It seems that you are having a party at your summer "Hideaway".
What are the dates for this soiree?
I want to make sure my calendar is clear.
Is there a dress code?
Will the coach meet us at the Railway station?
I will make sure to have my copy of Bleak House in my carryall.
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hello there
better late than never, count me in for joining in with this book--just got my copy from the North Fort Myers library, and its the 'Oxford Illustrated Dickens'
-have never willingly read any 'Dickens' before; only 'A Tale of Two Cities' from a high school course--I remember my father saying how he
enjoyed reading books by this author, so am willing to give it a try
Deb
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The Fredrickson Library in Camp Hill is having a Charles Dickens Tribute next Tuesday evening. I have yet to make the trip to this lovely building with plenty of parking although I've been by it many times in the past.
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WELCOME DEB! It's fun reading these books with no teacher hanging over us
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Welcome, both of you!
***Ella, so glad to have you join us! Here's another view of the house - an illustration from the frontispiece in the original illustrated edition-
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Bleak_House_frontispiece2.jpg/170px-Bleak_House_frontispiece2.jpg)
Are you sure you want to spend your life with cranky Lady Dedlock in this old old house? I can just see you in that black dress, with little white cap askew... :D
***JudeS - have you jumped the ship? That. was. quite. a. voyage, wasn't it? It's good to see that you are joining us.
The soiree will take place right here - on Charlie's birthday - Feb. 7. Hmm, a dress code, you ask? How about we make it a costume party? Come dressed as any one of the authors many characters. What do you think of that? Ella has already claimed Lady Dedlock's maid.
We'll begin the discussion of THE FIRST INSTALLMENT of Bleak House - that's Chapters 1-4.
***Deb, you're not late - you're early. The party is scheduled for Dickens' birthday - Feb 7 - and we'll spend the next week getting ready for Bleak House. "have never willingly read any 'Dickens' before" :D You are in for a treat! Happy you are going to be with us. I have the same Illustrated edition.
***
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I'm definitely going to wear a wig. But which one? Hmmmmm
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Sooo, if you can't make it to London to join the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at the Official Wreathlaying Ceremony (http://www.dickens2012.org/world-celebrates-dickens%E2%80%99s-200th-birthday-7-february) commemorating the birth of Charles Dickens at Westminster Abbey on Feb.7 - Frybabe has just provided an alternative at the Fredrickson Library in Camp Hill, PA. Do you plan to attend, Fry?
Maryz posted this in the Library...I'll put it in the heading here too-
For those Dickens lovers, the Wordsmith in A Word A Day (http://wordsmith.org/words/today.html) is featuring Dickensian words this week.
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Not sure whether I will attend the Library event or not. You see, the 7th is George's birthday too. I am still not sure what to do for him this year since he hasn't been well and tires easily. The only thing he really wants right now is to feel better, and that will be up to the surgeon and hormone therapy, not me. They finally figured out what was wrong with him. He has a pituitary tumor. Surgery can't be scheduled until they get his hormone levels into an acceptable range.
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Oh, surely not. Ella has described a housemaid. I'm sure she would not
want to be Lady Dedlock's personal maid. She appears to be a very,..well, shall we say, unpleasant...person.
That is a neat link, JOAN. Let's see: 'wellerism'; that must be from
"The Pickwick Papers". 'fagin' I suppose to be from "Oliver Twist". Don't
remember 'gamp', but of course everybody knows 'scrooge'!
FRYBABE, sorry your George is feeling so poorly. That really gets to be
a drag after a time. I have found that a good book can help distract me
when I'm ill or uncomfortable. I do hope George will soon be strong enough to get that tumor taken out; that's the main thing.
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Thank you Babi.
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Frybabe, my thoughts are with you and George. I hope he'll be stabilized soon.
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A party, a party? I'm coming and bringing a gamp, just in case. (If you want to know what a gamp is, go to the interesting site Word-A-Day that MaryZ brought us.
JoanP, I love that picture post card showing the house. I enlarged it and tried to print it out, but my printer from h rejected it. However, it's still saved, and one click will make it fill my screen.
Frybabe, it's got to be close to 30 years ago, a friend's 10-year-old granddaughter had a tumor removed from her pituitary -- they had to go from Missouri to Seattle for the surgery. That little girl is now expecting her fourth child, and homeschools her other three. I'm wishing the best for George and hope he's better soon.
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I echo Pedlin's wishes.
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Well, Frybabe, we'll celebrate George's birthday on the 7th too! And it's clear what we'll all be wishing for him! Give him our best wishes, please! Pedln, thank you for that upbeat message for George.
I'm glad you liked that word-a-day link, Babi I did too. Isn't it amazing how many words Dickens has added to our English language? According to the word a day site, "gamp" is a large umbrella a word that comes from Dickens' Sarah Gamp - a nurse in his Martin Chuzzlewit - who carries a huge umbrella:
(http://wordsmith.org/words/images/gamp.jpg)
Babi - I agree, the role of Lady Dedlock's personal maid is a difficult one for Ella. - BUT it turns out there is more than one maid living up there on the third floor.
Sir Leicester Dedlock's "stately old housekeeper lives up there too...Mrs. Rouncewell - "handsome" - "stately" What do you say, Ella?
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Oh, perfect, JOANP. I can well imagine ELLA as the dignified, stately
Mrs. Rouncewell.
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Oh my. This is exciting! Have you seen Time Magazine's daily countdown rating Dickens' Top Ten Novels. (http://entertainment.time.com/tag/top-10-charles-dickens-novels/)
Here's a challenge for you today - If you correctly answer these two questions before Time completes this list of Dickens top ten novels, YOU will win a prize.
1. Will Bleak House make the top ten list? Yes/No?
2. If it does, where will Bleak House place - #1, #2, or #3?
Here are the rankings to date:
Number 10: Oliver Twist
Number 9: Dombey and Sons
Number 8: Hard Times
Number 7: The Pickwick Papers
Number 6: A Tale of Two Cities
Number 5: Our Mutual Friend
Number 4: David Copperfield
Number 3: Little Dorrit
Number 2?
Number 1?
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question #1 Yes definitely in top 10
#2 I think Dickens is said to have ranked it as his best novel - can't really argue with the Master!!!
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Yep I agree - from what I have read Dickens ranked it his best but for some reason my guess is Bleak House will be number 2 and Great Expectations will be nominated as number 1 - several missing that I thought deserved a spot - The Old Curiosity Shop, Little Dorret, and The Christmas Carol and so it will be interesting to see how this top ten pans out....
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Can't resist adding my two penn'orth:
1. A Christmas Carol
2.Great Expectations
3. Bleak House
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You'll have to revise your list. Times just put up Little Dorrit in the #3 spot. I didn't see any mention on what their criteria was to get on this list. A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations are usually very high on lots of top ten Dickens lists that I've seen. I have to agree with MaryEmm on 1 & 2.
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Thank you, Frybabe. Will put up new listing...Sorry Maryemm, only one guess per person. This means that Bleak House will come in #1, #2 - or not at all.
1. Will Bleak House make the top ten list? Yes/No?
2. If it does, where will Bleak House place - #1, #2, or #3?
Here are the rankings to date:
Number 10: Oliver Twist
Number 9: Dombey and Sons
Number 8: Hard Times
Number 7: The Pickwick Papers
Number 6: A Tale of Two Cities
Number 5: Our Mutual Friend
Number 4: David Copperfield
Number 3: Little Dorrit
Number 2?
Number 1?
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Forgot to mention, George thanks you for your birthday greetings and best wishes.
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I'm planning to join the Bleak House discussion; Dickens has always been a favorite of mine and haven't read Bleak House in a very long time.
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You've listed #3 as little Dorrit.
Therefore I would say that Bleakhouse is #2 and A Christmas Carole as # 1.
Does anyone know if any Dicken's books are still part of the American Public School Curriculum?
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oops- I just noticed that Great Expectations is not yet on the list.
So off with The Christmas Carole and on with Great Expectations as number one.
I will leave Bleakhouse as number two.
-
The Book Club Online is the oldest book club on the Internet, begun in 1996, open to everyone. We offer cordial discussions of one book a month, 24/7 and enjoy the company of readers from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to join in
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/fireworks2.jpg)
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/dickensparty1.jpg)
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat3.jpg) |
FEBRUARY 7 - As the world watches, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will lay a wreath in the south transept of Westminster Abbey where Charles Dickens is buried, to comemmorate the bicentenary of one of Britain’s greatest writers. |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat2.jpg) |
We'll celebrate the day with a COSTUME PARTY - Dress as your favorite Dickens character. See who can guess your identity! |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat3.jpg) |
Announcing Time Magazine's daily countdown rating Dickens' Top Ten Novels. (http://entertainment.time.com/tag/top-10-charles-dickens-novels/) Did you pick BLEAK HOUSE? |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat2.jpg) |
Here is a short USA TODAY'S DICKENS QUIZ (http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/story/2012-01-30/charles-dickens-quiz/52895564/1) - If you post your score, you MIGHT win a prize. Guesses count!! |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat3.jpg) |
Please post below if you will be participating in a discussion of Dickens' BLEAK HOUSE. We will begin on February 15 with the first installment - Chapters 1-4. |
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/bleakhouse1920c.jpg)
Bleak House
"A dreary name," said the Lord Chancellor. "But not a dreary place at present, my lord," said Mr. Kenge.
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/dickensparty2.jpg)
DLs: JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net), Marcie (marciei@aol.com
), PatH (rjhighet@earthlink.net), Babi (jonkie@verizon.net), JoanK (joankraft13@yahoo.com)
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#1 I'm going to say no
#2. I'd say Great Expectations 1, Christmas Carol 2. And I really like Bleak House. :)
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I'm ditto-ing Ginny. Bleak House is not going to make the list. Not because it's not as good, but because Great Expectations (#1) and A Chritmas Carol (#2) are better known, and thus more popular.
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JoanP
Thanks for the link to the site of Word a Day.
It has more than just words.Famous sayings too.
Here's one I liked a lot:
Since we are destined to live our lives in the prison of our minds, our one duty is to furnish it well.
by
Peter Ustinov (actor, writer,artist)
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Good morning! Lots going on here - some new faces, some new entries in our little pre-birthday contest - and before I forget...
(http://dingo.care2.com/cards/html_cards/5438/bdaymice.gif?0.9446016241818438)
It's somebody's birthday today - not Charles' or George's yet - but someone in this room. Can you guess?*
Today is the day we'll learn if Bleak House made it to Time Magazine's list of top 10 Dickens' novels. Isn't it remarkable? Here in SeniorLearn we decided to read one of his novels to celebrate his 200th birthday - held an open nomination period and it came down to 4 - Tale of Two Cities, Pickwick Papers, Bleak House and Great Expectations. And then the vote narrowed it to the top two, Bleak House and Great Expectations. Wouldn't it be something if Time reports the same two today?
Let's keep the vote open this morning - until Time announces #2. Anything submitted here after Time's announcement will have to be taken off the boards. We seem to be divided now - between Christmas Carol and Bleak House. I can't think of another novel that would make it to the top two...along with Great Expectations, of course.
* HAPPY, HAPPY day, Ginny! And many more just like it!
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Bookjunky - Come right in and take a seat! A nice leather reading chair awaits! Welcome!
We plan to meet here on Feb. 7 for Charles Dickens' birthday celebration and then begin a pre-discussion about the book and the author.
On February 15, we are planning to begin discussion of the first installment of the book - Chapters 1 through 4.
I know this is going to be a wonderful discussion when looking over the list of those planning to gather here. I see your name, along with bookad and boookworm. What fun! And three Joans too. Welcome everyone!
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I can't believe that Bleak House won't make it to the top 10. And yet, here's a comment that BH isn't as well known as either Great Expectations or Christmas Carol. True. Several years ago I saw my solicitor about drawing up a will. Court-proof it, I told him. Put nothing in it for the lawyers. I don't want anyone shooting his brains out over it like that poor guy in Jarndyce and Jarndyce. Never heard of the case he said to me! It seems to me the Carol is in a class of its own and won't be there. My money is on Bleak House.
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GREETINGS, BOOKWORM! Glad to have you join the rest of us worms.
Bleak house will definately make it. I'd guess number 1. Either Christmas Carol or great Expectations didn't. It may be that since CC is ot full length, they didn't count it?.?
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Looks like we have to wait a bit - I just read that Time will take a short break and announce Number 2 on Monday...
So, if there are others who want to guess the top two - go ahead! Good arguments for the *2 slot. Every one of you seems to believe Great Expectations is in the #! slot...
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I am excited to join this discussion. I so have missed the group, but my life has been a bit busy the past few months keeping me unable to focus on reading. I see it finally slowing down, thank goodness. Going to download the book into my nook today so I can be ready! My vote would be for Christmas Carol as his #1. Have to admit I have never read Bleak House so is it fair to vote? :)
Happy Birthday Ginny!
Ciao for now~
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Happy Belated Birthday, Ginny!
Evelyn
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I saw portions of Bleak House on PBS a few years ago and enjoyed it. At the time I didn't realize how well edited it was. Having never read Bleak House until now, I have come to the conclusion that Charles Dickens was paid by the word. --- Wordy, wordy, wordy. I can't wait for the discussion to begin and hear what you all have to say. And I will wait until then before I make any more comments. ;)
Evelyn
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Ginny, I only just noticed this - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Rosemary
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Evelyn, I'm smiling at your comment that Dickens must have been paid by the word...especially since I had just noticed that he was paid by the installment - and each installment was about 45 pages long! :D
Actually, the first chapters seem to be the wordiest...have you noticed that too?
Bellamarie, Welcome! Happy to hear that your schedule has lightened enough to come back to the book discussion. We're going to take this slowly - since it is so long - so as not to overwhelm everyone. We'll begin on Feb.15 with the first installment - which includes the first four chapters...approximately 45 pages long.
Oh - and I have to add, we're not really voting - just guessing about which Dickens titles Time is going to name #1 and #2. You don't have to have read any of them to guess. You must do it before Time names the #2 tomorrow, though.
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Thank you all. :)
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Mea Culpa!
Ginny sorry I missed your birthday. Hope this new year had many pleasures in store for you!
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I'm ready to start reading!. What pages/section will we cover first? I got mine free on Kindle, didn't see the illustrated version or I would have sprung for 99 cents!
Sally
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Sally, we'll start on Feb.15 with a discussion of the first installment - Chapters 1-4. Forty five pages. Just before the party leaves for Bleak House... Don't worry about the illustrations...we'll post them here as they occurred in the illustrated installments.
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Thank you, Jude! :) I do love birthdays!
What excitement here, I can't stand it. WILL Bleak House be in the top 2? Love it!
I absolutely used to love the serialized books in the newspaper and think the reading of this one in that format is brilliant!
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They've put up #2 already this morning: Great Expectations
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I recall (vaguely) some magazines used to publish serials. Very smart on their part as it made sure that readers would purchase the next magazine. It also promoted reading especially for those people who would never sit down to read an entire book. Do any of you remember this?
Sally
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I think I've said this before, but there are times in the book when Dickens seems to fall in love with the cleverness of his own words, and
can't seem to resist going on and on. Sort of like those who seemto
love the sound of their own voices, and refuse to be interrupted. It should be easy to point out some of those passages.
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Sally - Woman's Weekly still does! Not exactly intellectual, but very popular - in fact I have just seen that there is a programme on Radio 4 this week to celebrate 50 years of WW. I think it will be fascinating - I remember my grandmother used to buy it, and to be honest it hasn't changed much, still the happy mix of light fiction, recipes and knitting patterns. As a child I used to while away the long and tedious hours at grandma's house by reading the problem page at the back - in those days it was always immensely coy, with things like:
"To N - you must visit your doctor immediately"
Such material for the 10 year old imagination!
Rosemary
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Egads i am getting error dialog when i try to open the book on my nook. Hope i get it figured out, or off to the library i go......grrrr technology can be so frustrating!
Ciao for now...
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Frybabe! That is amazing news! Great Expectations - in the Number 2 spot! So what does this mean?
Is Bleak House #1 - or Christmas Carol? Did Bleak House make the top ten list at all?
What do you all think now?
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wow did any of us see that coming - Great Expectations as number 2...?
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That was a surprise. I had expected GE to be No. 1. Then that leaves A Christmas Carol for No. 1. No way is it going to be Bleak House. It's just not as well-known.
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wow did any of us see that coming - Great Expectations as number 2...?
Yes one of us did. hahaha, but I am wavering now on A Christmas Carol as #1 because I don't know the criteria they are using for "greatest books." So it might well be Bleak House which would be super for those who guessed that one.
I guess I'll stick with A Christmas Carol as #1, tho I've lost a bit of confidence due to the "great" criterion.
:)
OH didn't The Saturday Evening Post serialize books also?
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It can't be The Carol. It's too limited in scope. It flashes across the skies like a meteor in late December. Bleak House is a companion all year round. Obviously Dickens loved words, words, words. And even more than writing them, he loved reading them. His public reads were always sellouts.
Happy, Happy belated, Ginny.
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Good for you Ginny!!! 8)
Just read an online Bio of Dickens - Holy Hannah he lived what he wrote - born and childhood in a debtors prison it goes on and on - sheesh...I had no idea...
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I guessed GE no. 2 and BH #1. That Christmas carol didn't count because it is not a full length novel.
I have read that Dickens novels were so popular in the US, that on the day a new installment was expected, there would be a riot of people at the dock waitingfor the boat bringing it. (wasn't that in a book we read here?)
I'm confused about the party. Is it tomorrow (the 7th) or the 15th? I have to get my wig cleaned!
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The Party is tomorrow - though it seems we are here already. Let's Partay!
The discussion of Bleak House, whether it comes in first place, or not in the top ten at all will begin on FEB.15. We'll start with the first installment...Chapters 1-4 on FEB.15.
JoanK - wear the dirty wig...no one will notice! I'm in my yellow gown - have been wearing it for years.
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Just too tired after a day watching the procedures at the High Court of Chancery - So I will climb the stairs and take off my black bonnet and go to sleep and tomorrow I will peek in at the party but leave at home what everyone seems to have left behind with this law case - - Hope, Joy, Youth, Peace, Rest, Life, Dust, Ashes, Waste, Want, Ruin, Despair, Madness, Death, Cunning, Folly, Words, Wigs, Rags, Sheepskin, Plunder, Precedent, Jargon, Gammon, and Spinach.
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I have my outfit ready--a long white satin victorial style nightgown. Maybe I'll use by white shower cap as a night cap. Now, what shall I sip???? Maybe hot buttered rum as a night cap. Now who was the Dickens character that roamed around in her night clothes??
Maybe I am thinking of Miss Haversham in her wedding gown.
Sally
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I may be late to the party. George has decided what he wants for his birthday, so off I am to the grocery store and the local pizza emporium. Then it is a trip to his house to do laundry and kitty box cleaning.
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just a little party interlude here
any suggestions ...there are copies of the video 'Bleak House' in the library
should I look at it now (really curious to see the scenery behind the book) actually the librarian said it was in 3 videos and I have just reserved the first of the 3....or should I wait till having read the book
your comments would be welcome
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Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey this morning (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16914295)
(http://www.dickens2012.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/Scale-W300/charlesdickens_stone_wa.jpg)
This is a big news in England today - with the future king of England paid homage at the site where Dickens is buried.
"Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey.
A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world."
On Sunday, 19 June 1870, five days after Dickens's interment in the Abbey, Dean Arthur Penrhyn Stanley delivered a memorial elegy, lauding "the genial and loving humorist whom we now mourn", for showing by his own example "that even in dealing with the darkest scenes and the most degraded characters, genius could still be clean, and mirth could be innocent." Pointing to the fresh flowers that adorned the novelist's grave, Stanley assured those present that "the spot would thenceforth be a sacred one with both the New World and the Old, as that of the representative of literature, not of this island only, but of all who speak our English tongue."
Dickens's will stipulated that no memorial be erected to honour him. The only life-size bronze statue of Dickens, cast in 1891 by Francis Edwin Elwell, is located in Clark Park in the Spruce Hill neighbourhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States."
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Holy smokes! And fog! Have you clicked the link in the heading to Time Magazine's pick of the top ten Dickens novels? What a way to start this celebration!
Wishing George a happy day, Frybabe - Tie a big bow on the clean kitty litter box. :D
bookad - Bleak House is a mystery. Do you really want to view the outcome weeks before you have finished the book? My advice - don't do it. Others have commented on Dickens words...words...words. I find I'm used to it now...letting them work their magic painting not only the scenery you are looking for, but the mood. What do others respond to Deb's question?
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I am soon off on my errands for George. He thanks you all for your greetings.
I took a peek at the count down. They have #1 up there already. All of you who were rooting for Bleak House have been rewarded. Catch you at the party later.
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Come back in costume, Frybabe! We'll still be here!
Sally in her white shower cap asks "Now who was the Dickens character that roamed around in her night clothes?"
Did you spot me - over by the cake? Don't touch the cake, really, don't even sample the frosting. I hope you brought something to eat. I'm a terrible hostess. I'm in my yellow gown - yellowing gown, I should say...I know it's early to be dressed up like this - but I never take it off - always ready for the party to begin!
-
The Book Club Online is the oldest book club on the Internet, begun in 1996, open to everyone. We offer cordial discussions of one book a month, 24/7 and enjoy the company of readers from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to join in
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/fireworks2.jpg)
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/dickensparty1.jpg)
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat3.jpg) |
FEBRUARY 7 - As the world watches, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will lay a wreath in the south transept of Westminster Abbey where Charles Dickens is buried, to comemmorate the bicentenary of one of Britain’s greatest writers. |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat2.jpg) |
We'll celebrate the day with a COSTUME PARTY - Dress as your favorite Dickens character. See who can guess your identity! |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat3.jpg) |
Announcing Time Magazine's daily countdown rating Dickens' Top Ten Novels. (http://entertainment.time.com/tag/top-10-charles-dickens-novels/) Did you pick BLEAK HOUSE? |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat2.jpg) |
Here is a short USA TODAY'S DICKENS QUIZ (http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/story/2012-01-30/charles-dickens-quiz/52895564/1) - If you post your score, you MIGHT win a prize. Guesses count!! |
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat3.jpg) |
Please post below if you will be participating in a discussion of Dickens' BLEAK HOUSE. We will begin on February 15 with the first installment - Chapters 1-4. |
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/bleakhouse1920c.jpg)
Bleak House
"A dreary name," said the Lord Chancellor. "But not a dreary place at present, my lord," said Mr. Kenge.
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/dickensparty2.jpg)
DLs: JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net), Marcie (marciei@aol.com
), PatH (rjhighet@earthlink.net), Babi (jonkie@verizon.net), JoanK (joankraft13@yahoo.com)
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Oh what a hoot! Bleak House WON? I am so excited for those of you who voted for it and don't you all have discerning taste to have chosen it before this vote?
I am so impressed with all of you, congratulations!!!!
That just shows you the caliber of our readership here!
Jonathan:
It can't be The Carol. It's too limited in scope. It flashes across the skies like a meteor in late December.
I could not disagree with you more. :) I am not sure, either, Joan K what you mean by it not being a full length novel, it's short? I do see it listed as a novella, but Animal Farm is short too.
I don't know what it IS? But I do think it has influenced more people (and not coincidentally, our very Christmas customs which were in danger of actually disappearing if you read the history of that celebration) in the last 200 years than Bleak House ever will, but again, I don't know their criteria for "Great."
It meets mine. hhahaa
I am so excited that you've chosen Bleak House to read!! That's just amazing! Celebrate your good taste!
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Alas, or maybe hopefully, not all those things have been left
behind, BARB. That's quite a profusion of words, too, perfectly
a la Dickens!
Dress like one of the characters? Hmm, I really don't have any
appropriate costumes. A few things close enough to being rags to
pass, I guess. My only 'long' dress is an Egyptian cotten sheath...in
orange!
An interesting news item; made me think of the olden days the we
are now reading about.
David Cameron: Apprenticeships Are at the Heart of the Economy
We Want to Build
Over the past 18 months we've put a massive amount of effort and
investment into strengthening apprenticeships in this country -
and it shows. Last year more than 450,000 people started an
apprenticeship, roughly the same number as those who started in
higher education. The increase on the previous year is a whopping
63%. These are record numbers to reflect a real commitment. The
reason for that commitment is simple - apprenticeships are right at
the heart of the kind of economy we want to build.
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Hello, all. What a wonderful party! It's so good to see all my fellow Dickens' characters. I can't stay long but I'll take a piece of cake. Not for myself, of course. I will bring it home to my dear father.
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Unfortunate circumstances make it impossible for me to be in the same country as the rest of you, but I will think of you from afar (very far afar). ;)
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Not sure who it is that wears a yellow gown at all times - now a white faded to yellow would fit Havisham in Great Expectations but in Bleak House - hmm maybe - no, Lady Dedlock wears a green and white stripped gown and a Burgandy gown - who ever it is she likes to be near food - Now her sister, Lady Barbary wears a wedding dress that has yellowed - hmmm maybe that is who we are welcoming to the party.
Sally your figure all in white reminds me too much of Wilke Collins but onward to Bleak House - maybe Esther when she is ill and housebound - not sure that is fitting though - another clue maybe?
Another clue my character - she regales folks with stories and ominously prophesies Richard's outcome.
Thanks for bringing to us the happenings in London - the photo of the Abbey is wonderful to open the day.
ah Babi just re-read your post - a long orange cotton sheath - hmmm
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My character isn't from Bleak House. Is that OK?
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aha - thanks for the clue Pat - I just assumed the characters to the party were from Bleak House however the old saying ass- u-me - I can see now that this is a Dickens party not necessarily limited to Bleak House - Ok Pat another clue please...?
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I can't dress up--I'm a rough and ready sort--but I've plenty of money to send back to you.
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OH my - send back - that sounds like you are not living presently in England - that you are making your fortune elsewhere hmmm unless just not in London - are you John Willet?
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No, but you're right that I'm not living in England--I dassn't come back.
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Barbara - glad you liked the Westminster Abbey photo - I hope you can see this. I had to download something in order to see it...but you might be able to see it right off. It's a video of Charles, laying the wreath - and a reading - from BLEAK HOUSE!
Prince Charles inside Westminster earlier today - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16914295)
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If I'm not missing anyone, it appears that we have a two-way tie with JoanK and Jonathan guessing Bleak House as Time Magazine's #1. Good work! You will share the prize!
If you are planning to read Bleak House, watch out for a spoiler in the blog in which Time explains the reason for choosing BH. I read it - and wish I didn't. Don't say you weren't warned!
There'a another opportunity to win a little something...do you see the link to the Quiz in the heading? Barbara let us know that the link to the quiz isn't working - that's probably the reason no one has entered the little Dickens contest. ;D
I think it's fixed now - try it again - and post your score when you are finished. The honor system.
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Loving the costumes...will be back later to admire them all. Poor Babi in those rags - you MUST be poor little Caddy Jellyby!
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Do you think that was Max von Sydow looking on or a very good look-a-like...
Whoops got the quote incorrect - I chose the one about not putting a fine point on it... - and so 9 out of 10 - I was not sure another but I guessed correctly and so actually knowing would be 8 out of 10
Oh my is that correct Babi - are you Caddy?
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Babi
If you are truly Caddy Jellyby you must not only be in rags but covered in ink with a pen between your teeth.
I'd love to see a photograph.
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I got 9 out of 10 too, but a couple were guesses.
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I'm the Lord High Chancellor from Bleak House, sitting in court "with a foggy glory round his head" (that's my wig -- if I'd remembered it was foggy, I wouldn't have bothered to wash it, but it still has more curls than anyone else's), "softly fenced in with crimson cloth and curtains, ... and outwardly directing his (that is my) contemplation to the lantern on the roof, where he can see nothing but fog."
Don't expect much chit-chat from me during the party. But I may utter a judicial "We shall take it under advisement" from time to time. And if there's a lot of port, i might loosen up a bit.
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I got it right! BH first, GH second! I never get these things right.
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The LINKS work! Good - and just to make it clear - guesses COUNT as "right"... They were "educated" guesses. I'm so proud of you! 9/10 - both PatH and Barb! Wow!
JoanK, that was quite an accomplishment! You and Jonathan weren't dissuaded by arguemen ts for Great Expectations and Christmas Carol at all! Congratulations!
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I was one of the group who voted for Bleak House though I do not usually take part in the book discussions. It is my favourite Dickens only vying with Pride and Prejudice for top favourite. I searched for my copy this morning and found it!!! complete with my name and date of purchase ..."Nancy Moulton (my maiden name) Tuesday 11th May 1948" I was just finishing school and must have bought it with my pocket money. The owner before me was " Mabel Ivory, 26th July, 1905". It says on the fly leaf. Complete Edition in Twenty-two Volumes with Illustrations by Cruikshank, Phiz etc. further in it says 40 illustrations by Phiz. There is a list of the characters and a list of Illustrations
There is a lovely illustration of Miss Jellyby.
I cannot wait to get started.
Nancy
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Nancy, I'm really in for a treat then, since Pride and Prejudice IS my top favorite, and I haven't yet read Bleak House. I envy you your beautiful copy.
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Sorry I missed the party yesterday. I spent the day with a friend and her new knee.
Congratulations to all the good pickers -- the twins, Jonathan, anyone else? As one who was sure BH wouldn't make the cut, I'm eating crow. But it's tasty crow 'cause I'm really glad BH is Number 1.
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Actually, I was just explaining the dearth of costumes available
to me for the party. Now that some have thought of Caddy, I would
certainly be happy to come as that remarkable small lady.
There's no ink around the place...everything is ball point or computer! I
could probably manage a pen between my teeth, JUDE. ;)
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Pedln, don't feel bad - you had good reason to think that Blink House is not as popular as Great Expectations or Christmas Carol. The challenge was to guess which of Dickens' novels would place in Time Magazine's top ten. No one told you that this was not a popularity contest. I can tell you now that the selections and the rankings were made by Time Magazine's executive editor, Radhika Jones.
Radhika Jones edits many of the magazine’s special issues, including TIME’s Person of the Year and the annual TIME 100, featuring the 100 most influential people in the world.
She holds a Ph.D. in English and Comparative literature from Columbia and has written introductions to Barnes & Noble Classics editions of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, and A Room with a View.
Knowing that, I was as surprised as everyone else (except JoanK and Jonathan) when Great Expectations came in second to Bleak House...though not surprised that this PHD in Literature chose Bleak House over Christmas Carol.
It was fun, I thought - and how very wonderful for us - that we chose Bleak House - in a squeaker - over Great Expectations! I'm going to write to Radhika this morning and tell her about this and our discussion site.
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Marvolous JoanP - wonderful to elevate what we do here as a possible interest to someone who edits for Time Magazine - reminds me of how years ago we let our local newspaper know all our happenings.
OK are we going to fess up or how are we going to determine the characters that showed up yesterday dressed to tease our knowledge of Dickens...?
Is there a list of the characters or at least of those who came in costume - gotta run or I would make the list myself...
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"I cannot wait to get started."
Nancymc - we are so happy that you are here - and cannot wait for you to get started either! Welcome! The pre 1948 edition sounds wonderful. Did young Nancy Moulton underline the pages?
Pedln asked who won the Dickens' quiz - PatH and Barbara tied, as far as I can see. Answered 9/10 questions correctly. There's still a little wiggle room if you or Pedln want to try to beat these two leaders. You can find the link to the quiz in the header...Good lucK!
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Barbara...on my way out too - will get back for a closer examination of those costumes later! Maybe someone else will slip in while we are gone too.
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I did feel so inclined and sympathetic with those who picked Christmas Carol as Dickens' best. Especially after being reminded by Ginny that the Carol revived the celebration of Christmas in a very unique way. And Scrooge is, according to a recent Penguin poll the best-known of all Dickens' characters. Scrooge, by stirring up the world of ghosts with his Bah! Humbug!, made as great a commotion as the heavenly hosts in the sky over Bethlehem with their glorious halleliuahs.
And now, a very crowded coach leaving for Bleak House. Thanks, Barb, for the synopsis of things to come in your post #112. Will we really be leaving all that behind? Let's not get discouraged. Remember Dante and the dire proclamation he found posted at the gate to the Inferno. ' Abandon all hope who enter here.' Wasn't that fun.
Still, some of us will always think of him as 'Carol' Dickens, even if he did plagiarize Dante.
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Oh, what a headache. Did I drink too much port yesterday? I can't remember. We shall take that under advisement.
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Newsweek also had an interesting essay on Dickens by Simon Schama. For those unfamiliar with Schama, he is a British Art Historian who is a Professor at Columbia and cultural essayist for the NEW YORKER. He is the Prize winning author of more than 30 documentaries for BBC and PBS. He has written some wonderful books, including "Rembrandt's Eyes" and "A History of Britain".
I will quote part of one paragraph:
"We make much of the collapse of English into the squawk of the tweet and the text. To read Dickens now, more than ever, is to experience the opposite: to be caught up in an abundant tumble of words- and in language juicy with the flux of life. Sometimes it's used to drag us to places we would rather not go......... .....in truth he had no program for altering the atrocities of his time beyond a passionate craving for decency. Out of that simple instinct he made imperishable masterpieces."
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Schema at his best. I loved "rembrandt's Eyes" (although sometimes wished there wasn't so MUCH of it), and his programs on art for PBS.
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I finally took time to take that test, and I'm happy to say I did get 9
out of 10. Truthfully, tho', one of them I think I only got right because
of something someone posted here earlier. Maybe that doesn't count.
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Just discoverd I have two more old Dickens, one, Martin Chuzzlewit bought by my Alter Ego Nancy Moulton on 29th March 1949, the other Pickwick Papers printed 1911 In the Preface Dickens says "It has been observed of Mr. Pickwick that there is a decided change in his character, as these pages proceed, and that he become more good and more sensible. I do not think this change will appear forced or unnatural to my readers, if they will reflect that in real life the peculiarities and oddities of a man who has anything whimiscial about him generally impress us first and that it is not until we are better acquainted with him that we usually begin to look below these superficial traits and to know the better part of him" How true. Nancy
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Babi - yes indeed, your score counts - and you are part of a 3-way tie with Barbara and PatH...unless someone comes in to top the three of you!
Nancymc - you were a true Dickens' reader as a youngster! Do you think you purchased these editions from your own pocket money? I urge you to take the quiz - will copy the link here, since you have just joined us -
Is there anyone else who would like to try...we'll be open for the next day or so...Party on!
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/dickensparty/birthdayhat2.jpg)
Here is a short USA TODAY'S DICKENS QUIZ (http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/story/2012-01-30/charles-dickens-quiz/52895564/1) - If you post your score, you MIGHT win a prize. Guesses count!!
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Johnathan :) Congratulations to you and Joan K, discerning readers both! What a group you have here!
I love Nancy's story of the books. The Simon Schama article that Jude quotes is marvelous, thank you for mentioning it, Jude. His own father, who was "self educated," spent money saved up for his first seaside vacation on a "complete Chapman and Hall edition of Dickens that he picked up from a cart vendor on the way to Waterloo station.
"Every Saturday evening he would read aloud to the family, doing all the parts. Occasionally, as I grew a bit, he would let me do Davy, or Oliver, or Jo."
Can you imagine that scene and the impact it must have had on young Simon? Today he knows intimately all the Dickens characters. I just can't get this scene out of my head. What a terrific investment that deferred seaside trip was.
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Hah! Nine out of ten on the quiz. Surprised me.
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Congratulations, all you high scorers. I did poorly. Too embarrassed to tell you my test result. Count me among Dickens' favorite people, the underprivileged.
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Congrats Jonathan your experience was a teaching/learning experience that is so much more valuable don't you think... OK folks we missed it - did anyone look in their collection of cookbooks to see what would be served during a Victorian Party. It looks like the great great grandson of Charles Dickens among his many books includes one about dinning and one about drinking that includes the recipes for the foods mentioned in the stories written by Charles Dickens. Also, there is a book on Amazon of the recipes from Mrs. Dickens' kitchen who the author laments was not treated kindly by history saying she was not such a bad sort at all.
link to Cedric Dickens book on Dinning -
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Dickens-Cedric/dp/0906552311/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328825100&sr=1-2
OH and all those attributes that were left behind that I can see left behind by the law case were really left because they would make a mess at the party swooping over our heads, perching on the cakes and puddings maybe even covering shoulders of black suit coats with their droppings - and so I keep them all caged up in my rooms which seems appropriate. I wonder if captain Nemo has any left over crumbs from his dinner that he would give to me for my caged friends - shall I knock on his door and ask...? For sure my landlord would not give me a speck of a crumb - it is best that I try to come and go without disturbing him and his daughter.
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Barbara...that just whets my appetite. I want to learn more! I tried to find some of the recipes in the great grandson's book...you have to wonder how much he remembers from those days at the Dicken's homestead. And did he include great grandma's recipes?
I did find this book - about Catherine Dickens own household - the write-up states this book contains recipes, but not a one is mentioned.
Let's do this - let's keep our eyes opened for any mention of dining at Bleak House and the type of dishes served.
"Catherine, the wife of Charles Dickens, was herself an author, but of just one book: What Shall we Have for Dinner? Satisfactorily Answered by Numerous Bills of Fare for from Two to Eighteen Persons. As the title indicates, it was a cookery book, in fact a pamphlet containing many suggested menus for meals of varying complexity together with a few recipes. It went through several editions after 1851, under the authorial pseudonym of ‘Lady Maria Clutterbuck’ with a brief introduction that was, commentators aver, the work of Charles Dickens himself.
In this book, Susan Rossi-Wilcox has investigated the life of Catherine Dickens, the domestic arrangements of the Dickens family, the composition of this menu-book and how the various changes in succeeding editions reflect both Catherine’s own development and the state of play in Victorian cookery, entertainment and food supply.
At the same time, it contains a transcript of the menu-book itself and the appendix of recipes. It would not be sensible to claim the little book changed very much about Victorian cookery, but it serves as a potent marker of what was going on at the time, for example the modes of service, the sorts of dishes cooked, the domestic organisation necessary to maintain a reasonably well-off household."
I should add that this book can be yours for $50.00
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The Book Club Online is the oldest book club on the Internet, begun in 1996, open to everyone. We offer cordial discussions of one book a month, 24/7 and enjoy the company of readers from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to join in
We plan to begin February 15 with the first installment, Chapters 1-4
Please post below if you plan to join us!
Bleak House
by Charles Dickens
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/cover.jpg) |
Bleak House is the 10th novel by Charles Dickens, published in twenty monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853. It is held to be one of Dickens's finest novels, containing one of the most vast, complex and engaging arrays of minor characters and sub-plots in his entire canon. The story is told partly by the novel's heroine, Esther Summerson, and partly by an omniscient narrator.
The story revolves around the mystery of Esther Summerson's mother and it involves a murder story and one of English fiction's earliest detectives, Inspector Bucket.
Most of all, though, the story is about love and how it can cut through human tangles and produce a happy ending.
The house where Dickens lived spent summers with his family, beginning in 1850, is said to have inspired his novel of the same name. Among others, he wrote David Copperfield in this house.
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| Installment | Date of publication | Chapters | Discussion dates |
| I | March 1852 | 1-4 | Feb.15-19 |
(http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/bleakhouse/bleakhouse1920c.jpg)
Bleak House
"A dreary name," said the Lord Chancellor. "But not a dreary place at present, my lord," said Mr. Kenge.
DLs: JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net), Marcie (marciei@aol.com
), PatH (rjhighet@earthlink.net), Babi (jonkie@verizon.net), JoanK (joankraft13@yahoo.com)
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Oh for heaven's sake! Frybabe, you have just made this a 4-way tie! Will someone please take that quiz and score a perfect score? I mean, how many prizes can we come up with? ;D Congratulations! Jonathan, don't feel badly - have you noticed that most of us are silent on how we scored? :D
A few observations and questions left over from the birthday bash -
- Sally - in a long white Victorian nightgown - and a night cap - that looks a lot like a shower cap...She asks which Dickens character roamed around at night in her night clothes?
- Barbara guessed my costume - I was wearing that long yellow-ing gown - warning you all not to eat the cake - Miss Havisham from Great Expectations. I always thought she was one of Dickens most interesting characters. What is she waiting for all those years? Does she think her prince will change his mind and come back to her? Marcie please tell me that you didn't take a slice of that moldy cake home to your father?!
PatH - we didn't guess you - rough and ready - plenty of money, not living in England... Hmm, how many of Dickens' novels were set outside of London, let alone outside the country?--
Barbara, were you the "mad" little old lady, "regaling folks with stories - who ominously prophesies Richard's outcome - in Bleak House?
JoanK announced herself - she came as the Lord High Chancellor from Bleak House, sitting in court "with a foggy glory round his head" - his wig. Those of us who have begun Bleak House would have guessed this without JoanK identifying her character...
Have you begun the book yet? Have you noticed the discussion schedule in the heading at the top of this page? We'll begin on the 15th and see how it goes before we put up the rest of the schedule. We'll try five days per instalment, which is approximately 45 pages every five days. Please let us know how you are handling this. If you need more time - or less to read 45 pages, please let us know.
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Didn't Martin Chuzzlewit take place in America (or at least some of it?). I haven't read it.
Oh, you know what? A Tale of Two Cities, but some of that is in London.
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Martin Chuzzlewit sounds more like the rough and tumble of the US - I just looked up MC - "Early sales of the monthly parts were disappointing, compared to previous works, so Dickens changed the plot to send the title character to America.[1] This allowed the author to portray the United States (which he had visited in 1842) satirically as a near wilderness with pockets of civilization filled with deceptive and self-promoting hucksters.
I think you got it the first time, Frybabe...
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Yep that is it - the 'mad' Miss Flite - except for the birds - I freak out if there are birds in the house - but I would have fun playing Miss Flite and sometimes wonder if I am just a bit as daffy with a long memory as Miss Flite.
Of course Martin Chuzzlewit - saw the TV Masterpiece Theatre of that one but forget the story - one of them I remember had a women go to America but it could be not a Dickens story.
I am also wondering about Babi's choice of character - the woman in the long Egyptian Cotton orange shift - I was not sure if it was Caddy or not since Babi indicated she did not have a pen to put between her teeth only had ball point pens and computers in her house.
Some how these stories seem like they took place so long ago and yet, not really - Dickens may have been born 200 years ago but the stories are not yet 200 years - I am thinking most of us have family stories of family members who lived in the 1870s - and for sure those of us who enjoy antiques own furniture or crystal or maybe silver from the Victorian period - we are only talking for most of us three generations ago - when you think how life was it brings a chill along with realizing we are just about living as the World's Fair of 1939 depicted life could be. Amazing...
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Jonathan, I am down there with you - only excuse being that I did do the quiz late last night in half asleep mode. Real reason for my pathetic score is of course total ignorance ;D
Rosemary
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I'm wondering if we all stumbled on the same question. It's been
so long since I read Nicholas Nickleby (it wasn't a favorite) that
I couldn't remember the name of the awful owner of the school. That
one was rather obscure, I thought.
Oh, I won't be wearing the orange cotton sheath to the party, BARB.
I was merely commenting that I didn't have anything appropriate to
the period. I think I have now decided that I will come in housewife
clothes, but hearty, healthy and able to speak my mind. ;)
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YES, Babi, I stumbled on the same question. Are we revealing our characters now, or do I provide more clues?
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Oh, I don't know. It won't be long 'til party time. I can wait that long to reveal my chosen
character. I don't appear for a while, anyway. (I guess that is another clue.)
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Babi...the birthday party is over - but we can continue to celebrate right up until discussion time on the 15th if you wish. Rosemary - come sit over here with me - and Jonathan. We're about to add more to our knowledge and appreciation of Dickens's work.
PatH - more clues? Does that mean that you were not dressed as Martin Chuzzlewit?
Let's get BLEAK HOUSE into persepective. Bleak House was published in 20 instalments between March1852 and September 1853. We just celebrated his 200th birthday - which means he was 40 years old when it was published. We're told this was his 10th novel. Other sources refer to it as his 9th. Not sure why. One of his published books was not a novel? Does anyone know? But 9 or 10 novels before the age of 40 - and these are not short novellas - as you can tell from Bleak House.
Where did he learn to write? What was his educational background? I think it would be interesting to know these things. The same questions are asked about Shakespeare's plays - and his background.
"Somehow these stories seem like they took place so long ago and yet, not really - Dickens may have been born 200 years ago but the stories are not yet 200 years."
Barbara, do you think the stories don't seem as old as they are because Dickens writes of human shortcomings - and we haven't changed that much - not really?
But the settings - don't you just love to read of the "olden days" - captured for all time in these pages. Do you think we need to know something about what is going on in London in the mid-nineteenth century?
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Don't think for me it was the characters short comings or values because they seem to ring true much further back in history - for me it is just being aware of things in my home that I cherish that are from the period and realizing that my great grandparents were alive during this time and having found their names and address on the census records as well as having a smattering of information about them.
Here is a photo of London - the Parliament building and the river in 1852 [from Wikipedia]
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Houses_of_Parliament%2C_London_1852.jpg)
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A quick survey tells us that
In 1852:
- State funeral of duke of Wellington (London)
- Alexandre Dumas', "Le Dame aux Camelias," premieres in Paris
- Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" published
- 1st edition of Peter Roget's Thesaurus published
- Franklin Pierce elected as president of U.S
- 2nd French empire established; Louis Napoleon becomes emperor
- Emma Snodgrass arrested in Boston for wearing pants
- Great Ormond St. Hospital for Sick Children, London, admits 1st patient
- The first public bathrooms for men and a separate one on another street for women were opened in London
In 1853:
- Russian aggression was directed at Turkey which leads to the outbreak of the Crimean War
- Commodore Matthew Perry reach Japan and sails into Tokyo Bay
- An outbreak of Cholera in Newcastle and Gateshead as well as in London, where a total of 10,675 people died of the disease. [The following year the outbreak in London was so frightening folks were moving out of the city. Towards the end of the year 1854 a Dr. John Snow traced the source and a pump emptying the sewers and cellars of London was moved at his recommendation and the disease abated.]
- Britain Death duties were introduced
- Smallpox vaccination becomes compulsory in Britain
- The London Zoo opens the first public Aquarium
- Emigrant ship "Annie Jane" sinks off Scotland, drowning 348
- Napoleon III marries Eugenie de Montijo
- Austrian law forbids Jews from owning land
- Territory of Washington organized after separating from Oregon Territory
- Harriet Tubman starts Underground Railroad
- Women's Right's Convention met in NYC
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Barb
Thank you for your most interesting lists of events of 1852 &53.
One of the events was the Crimean War.
I will add a few short paragraphs on the war for those, like me,who know nothing about that event.(until I googled it).
This war between Britain,France and the Ottomsn Empire against the Russians was the first to use railways and Morse Code. Florence Nightinggale and Mary Seacole pioneered modern nursing practices. This was also the first war to be documented by photography and daily news reports from the front.
The war resulted in a total of 595,000 dead. Of these the British Casualties were:
2,755 killed in action
2,019 died of their wounds
16,323 died of disease
France and Britain had declared war on Russia on March 27, 1854. The Ottoman Empire declared that Russia, not France was the "soverign authority" inthe Holy Land and that Russia was the protector of the Orthodox Christains in the Ottoman Empire..
The poem by Tennyson "The Charge of the Light Brigade", highlighted one of the many mistakes by England and France during this war.
Marx and Engels in 1850 (alonf with other men in the know) predicted this conflict .
Though Dicken's England seems a million miles from this world of war it was brewing under the surface.
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Some of us who like mystery stories know a little about the Crimean war through the mystery series by Anne Perry which features a woman who had been a nurse in Crimea. Peerry emphasizes the two things you mentioned: the struggle to institute the simplest of nursing reforms (basic hygene: washing hands, covering cess pots) and the amount of needless slaughter that occurred. Similar to our Civil War: the tactics had not adjusted to the use of guns as weapons, and generals would have their troops charging up open terrain and being mowed down.
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This should probably wait until the fifteenth, but I may not remember it by then or be otherwise occupied. I read the preface to Bleak House last night. Much to my amazement, it brought up the subject of spontaneous (human) combustion. I don't know if Larry Arnold lives around here anymore, but he is an international expert on the subject. I loved the inference that the author had hoped the mound of paperwork do the same. At least, that is what I thought it said.
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Ah! I believe I was thinking of it more as a house party. ;)
My edition has a "Chronology", which lists events in Dickens life, literary context and world
events. The literary context, ie., what else was being published that year, was much more full
than the other two. World events, in view of BARB's list, was especially skimpy. All it listed for
those two years was the Crimean War.
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Babi, I LOVE the idea of an ongoing house-party. Let's do that!
Thanks Barbara, Jude...for the information on world events at the time Bleak House was published. Let's try to fill in more? Barbara, that's a photograph and not a painting of Parliament, right? - Somehow it looks too....clean? I imagine the buildings grimier - But pictures don't lie. Maybe they knew to doctor photographs back then? It looks like a painting - or a pastel sketch, doesn't it?
Frybabe, thanks for bringing up Spontaneous Combustion. What do we know about it? Was it an acceptable "cause of death" back then? Dickens seems to be saying that, doesn't he? What is it exactly? Is it still an acceptable cause of death today?
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Wow in light of the subject matter in Bleak House I thought this was interesting - "The Iinns of Court School of Law - the ICSL - was founded by the Council of Legal Education in 1852. Before that time the Inns of Court were responsible for the education of young barristers. There was call during the nineteenth century for the education of barristers to be unified and thus the Council of Legal Education was formed and ICSL founded."
OH yes, and the V&A was founded in 1852 - on 12 and a half acres it is the world's largest museum of Decorative Arts.
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JoanP, I know very little about spontaneous human combustion other than it has been occasionally reported and investigated. There is something really weird about a body incinerating without burning anything else. I did read somewhere that Arthur C. Clarke said, when doing his Mysterious Universe TV program, that it was one of the most asked about phenomena. According to Wikipedia, there have been only about 200 reported cases in the last 300 years. The earliest reported was in the 1400's; the latest case was in Ireland last September. The coroner in the Irish case actually listed it as a cause of death; he couldn't find any other explanation.
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Kings Cross Station was built in 1852
Gas light was first installed at Pall Mall in 1807 and by 1840 was used all over London so our story was taking place when the lamplighter still had a profession.
Since in 1834 Parliament was destroyed by fire the building in the photo that could and probably is an etching or painting would show a very clean new building - after the fire is when the clock tower Big Ben was built as part of Parliament.
During the 1850s is the 11 year career of Roger Fenton considered the most famous photographer of the time - he went to Russia to photograph a suspension bridge ordered by Czar Nickolas I and then was given permission to photograph events from the Crimean War. Here is a link to one of his photos with Big Ben in the distance.
http://tinyurl.com/7dyqp3h
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Great photograph. It was (slightly) foggy that day too. I always associate London fog with the 19th century writers (Dickens and later Conan Doyle). I'll bet that the coal burning of the time made a sort of permanant fog (which may be what we're seeing in that photo). How frequent is London fog now, does anyone know?
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Hi everyone! I'm jumping in at the last minute!
I have read Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities, and of course know the story of A Christmas Carol, even though I haven't read the book. Bleak House, along with David Copperfield, are still on my list of Dickens books to be read, so with the 200th anniversary this year and this discussion ready to begin, no time like the present to tackle Bleak House. I have my B&N classics edition in hand, ready to go. Talk to you all on Wednesday!
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WELCOME, LAURA! Pull up a chair and a hot toddy!
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JoanK
What is your recipe for a hot toddy?
My mother, who was British, made it with honey, raw egg yolk, hot milk and a dash of whiskey.Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon on the top.
When I offered it to friends they yell: "What? Raw egg yolk-no thanks."
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JoanK is serving hot toddies? Or are they just for special people - like Laura? Good to have you with us, Laura - Welcome!
We've been putting together a picture of Dickens' London in 1852 - thank you all so much! I'd forgotten those lamplighters!
My youngest son is living in London right now. Yesterday he went to the Museum of London to the Dickens' perspective on Dickens' characters. . Tomorrow, the 14th, they will be exploring the work and play of children in Dickens' time. I would love to be there tomorrow for that.
Dickens' children are of great interest to me. He had 10 children. He complained often how difficult it was to write - to meet the deadlines for the instalments - with all those kids underfoot. But he wrote so often of London's orphans. We'll be meeting three of them in the first installment of Bleak House. Do you find this puzzling?
ps Oh no, Jude...raw egg? Why are they called "hot" toddies? Maybe the eggs cook in the process of becoming hot?
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I always thought a Hot Toddy was made with hot tea or cider, whiskey, honey and spices. Never heard of one made with milk and egg.
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Do not know how Jude's mom makes it but I would imagine it is like a good eggnog where the eggs are whipped till they turn off white - add the whites beat to a froth than put all of that in a pot on the stove to heat and just before it becomes a custard take it off and add the whiskey - with eggnog half the cream is mixed in gradually and slowly while the mixture is on the stove and then while still whipping like crazy add the milk and whiskey. along with spices along the way and top it with nutmeg it is a nice rich and considered a healthy drink to get your through.
I'm remembering inb my family it made when there was outside work to be done on cold days and it was apple juice or cider with spices heated with a spoon of butter and then Calvados was added. I guess that is more like a hot buttered rum only we used everything apple.
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This is absolutely precious in every sense of the word - here is a site with wonderful photos of Dickens Cottage in Spitalfield. http://spitalfieldslife.com/2012/02/07/charles-dickens-at-park-cottage/
This site is about everything Spitalfield and I laughed out loud when I looked at this page with current residents and saw in these photos the 2012 version of Dickens 1852 - all the characters are here - all the shops, pubs,outdoor markets, flowers,canals and even old Victorian graphics of most of the places named in a Dickens novel. Just keep scrolling and scrolling.
http://spitalfieldslife.com/ On the Kingsland Rd
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Look this had to be going on during Dickens lifetime since it is the Oldest Ceremony in the World...
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/04/19/the-oldest-ceremony-in-the-world/
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JOANP, I'm not sure but I think that photograph was taken when the buildings were
still fairly new. They really look beautiful, and impressive, without all the later
buildup around them.
JUDE, I've never had a hot toddy, but from something I saw on a 'chef' show, I
believe the hot milk 'cooks' the egg yolk. Perhaps your friends will try it if you
tell them that. FRYBABE, maybe the milk toddy was the children's version. Though I
can't see whiskey being added to that.
Oh, goody, BARB! Complete with a ghost story from the tower. Love it!
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You all have sent me off to recipes. :D Doesn't take much to get me thinking of food.
I think Jude's recipe, with the milk, is similar to what my folks called "Tom and Jerries," kind of like a warm eggnog. Looking at the hot toddy recipes, most seem to call for honey, lemon, water, and booze, and some included tea.
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Thank you all for a plethora of Hot Toddy recipes. We could put out a little pamphlet called "Comforting Drinks for Seniors to Sip" (while reading Dickens.)
In my recipe the milk was heated almost to boiling and mixed in with the honey and yolk while mixing and mixing and mixing so that the yolk doesnt coagulate. The whiskey or gin is added slowly while still mixing vigorously.
What fun if we were really all in the same room sipping our drinks while reading Dickens aloud.
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JoanP "Where did he learn to write? What was his educational background? I think it would be interesting to know these things. The same questions are asked about Shakespeare's plays - and his background."
In the beginning of my nook book there is a section called "The Life and Times of Charles Dickens". It gives an overview of his life and it points out that due to a father who was not reliable, committed or responsible, Charles had to work to help the family pay their debt. He was working at the age 12 while his family was in debtor's prison. It states "He stayed in school until he was fifteen." There is also a chapter "Childhood and Education" and it says, "Charles' life as a boy was fairly easy for the first ten years of his life. After leaving Portsmouth, the Dickens family spent a short time in London and then moved to Kent. Charles attended school in the town of Chatham, was taken to theatrical productions, and spent much time reading. His imagination was also fueled by a family nursemaid named Mary Weller_she told gruesome stories with dramatic flair which scared young Charles but also thrilled him. Mrs. Dickens even tried to establish a school, with Charles as her helper doing odd jobs. That was not a great success and by 1824 John Dickens was over his head in debt and he was sent to Marshalsea Prison. Charles was now twelve years old and had begun working in Warren's Blacking Factory. The hours there were long- he put in ten hour shifts each day pasting labels on boxes. Charles lived in Mrs. Roylance's boarding house in Camden Town, London and visited his parents and siblings at Marshalsea on Sundays. This period of his life would influence him a great deal- having his family in jail and his education cut short... It wasn't long before the Dicken's family was out of debtor's prison. Charle's mother wanted her eldest son to remain at Warren's. Mrs. Dickens felt the family needed his wages to make ends meet. John Dickens over ruled Elizabeth and enrolled his son at the Wellington House Academy in London. By furthering his education it is likely that Charles was able to avoid a life of factory work and poverty. He attended Wellington as a day pupil from 1824-27.
Here is a breakdown of his work background:
1827 at the age of fifteen he was forced to leave school and went to work as a clerk in the law firm of Charles Molloy. He did not stay there long and was soon working as a clerk at Ellis and Blackmore, a position he obtained through connections of his mother's. The work Dickens did at Ellis and Blackmore was not challenging and in fact, Charles did not find the actual field of law interesting. In 1828 he began freelancing as a court stenographer. He had mastered shorthand very quickly in preparation for the job. It was apparent throughout his career that Charles has a quick intelligence and excellent memory. Dicken's next career move undoubtedly encouraged his interest in public affairs. He became a shorthand reporter for the news publication the Mirror of Parliment, a London newspaper managed by his uncle, John Henry Barrow. The newspaper reported on the daily activities of the Houses of Commons and Lords. Dickens also worked for another paper, the True Sun, in this capacity. He referred to the House of Commons as being "strong on clowns". It is apparent in his spare time Dickens took to writing his own works of humorous fiction ans was soon having occasional short stories published. He was only 21 when his first story "A Dinner at Poplar Walk" was accepted for publication by Monthly Magazine (January 1834) Dickens continued to write his short stories and sketches while continuing his career in journalism. By the end of 1834 Charles was living at Furnival's Inn and was working for the newspaper The Morning Chronicle.
In 1836 Dicken's stories were published as a collection called Sketches by Boz. The success of the Sketches by Boz led to Dicken's recognition as a profitable author and his acquiring a publisher in London: Chapman and Hall. Chapman and Hall wanted Charles to create some stories to go along with some etchings of sporting life created by Robert Seymour. These stories were to be published in monthly installments and in fact were published in twenty parts, the first appearing on March 31, 1836. The stories became known as The Pickwick Papers. The collection of serialized stories was published in book form in 1837. Dickens proved he was a multi-talented writer- in 1836 he wrote a libretto for The Village Coquettes, a comic opera. Within weeks Braham had agreed to produce the play. Still only 23 years old, Dickens was definitely a star on the rise. Oliver Twist was serialized over two years. His next two novels: Nicholas Nickleby and The Old Curiosity Shop, the next Dickens novel, Barnaby Rudge, was published in 1841.
In January 1842, Charles, not yet thirty years old and now famous on both side of the Atlantic, sailed from Liverpool with is wife Catherine for a trip to North America, Dickens did not write (other than letters) and did not lecture-he and Catherine simply played tourist. When he returned home, after six months away, Dickens wrote an account of his trip to the United States titled American Notes, published in 1843. Returned to the United States in 1867-1868 for a lecture tour that was lucrative but overshadowed by his declining health. Dickens next novel Martin Chuzzlewit, a novel that had mixed reviews. Charles Dickens' next literary endeavor proved to be one of the most enduring and popular of his work- A Christmas Carol. Although not known as one of his greatest works today, Dombey and Son was Dickens' next book, published from 1846 to 1848. Following Dombey and Son, Dickens wrote David Copperfield and Bleak House; both considered to be masterpieces, the former considered to be a mix of autobiography and fiction. Into the 1850's Dickens wrote two novels of strong social commentary: Hard Times and Llittle Dorrit. During this time as well, Dickens pulished and edited two magazines (Daily News and Household Words-later called All the Year Round). Dickens was to write three more complete novels before his death- the highly regarded A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectation, and the somewhat lesser known Our Mutual Friend. His last novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, was unfinished at his death in 1870 but was subsequently published. How did Dickens intend to end the story? He left no notes and secret died with him on June 9th, 1870.
Just a little extra info..."He was the father of ten children. He was a husband who left his wife after twenty four years of marriage and took up with a young actress; this did not win the hearts of Victorian England, but it may not have been widely known. Dickens' publisher stopped the author from discussing the marriage breakdown publically.
Sorry so lengthy, I think it gives us a really good overview of his literary/business life.
Ciao for now~
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We've started a new discussion to talk about the instalments. Please go to http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2888.0
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BELLAMARIE, that summary of Dickens life is very revealing. I think we are going
to see it's influences in some characters and situations in "Bleak House". I was
struck by the fact that though Dickens father is described as unreliable and
irresponsible, he nevertheless was the one who insisted on Charles completing his
education.
I confess that I'm somewhat pleased that "Martin Chuzzlewit" had 'mixed' reviews
since I did not like it, and cannot now remember anything about it.