Bleak House Readalong: March 2018 - Sept 2019

[ScribblyGum]

Some of us are doing this on the 50 books thread so I thought I would start a separate discussion thread.

Inspired by Books and Things on YouTube, aim is to read Bleak House in the time frame in which it was published, so reading 3-4 chapters per month starting in March this year and finishing in September of next.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=W-DYX4lyw1M

I’ve linked the original YouTube video (she is really really excited about Bleak House ), Katie also has chapter discussion threads on her good reads page, and a picture of the chapters and the months in which they are to be read.

[MyNameIsNotSteven]

Ooh, I've only just re-read it but would happily read it again.

[ScribblyGum]

It’s that good is it MyNameIsNotSteven?

[mamapants]

I'd love to join you on here scribbly
Haven't started yet.
Think it should be a fun way of doing it.

[Nuffaluff]

That is such a great idea. I’m going to get a copy of eBay and join you. Will this be like a discussion thread?
I’ve not read it, but have read quite a few of his novels. A few years ago I started reading one Dickens a year, but only kept it up for about five years.
I’ve read Oliver Twist, Hard Times (hated it), The Old Curiosity Shop, Nicholas Nickleby, A Tale of two Cities, Great Expectations , David Copperfield ( my absolute favourite!), and that’s it. Blimey, more than I thought!
Also tried to read The Pickwick Papers, but i thought it was awful.

[Nuffaluff]

Sorry, just seen you said it was a discussion thread!

[Piggywaspushed]

Reporting for duty scribbly

Obediently read two chapters : will do chapter 3 next weekend .

I have the Wordsworth version which has the chapter numbers in their serialised sequence at the front which usefully saved me printing/ remembering/ writing it down! And , oh my, the typeface is teeny weeny!

[Piggywaspushed]

nuff have you not done A Christmas Carol?? It's refreshingly short!

[mamapants]

I've read the first chapter, think it might be a struggle to keep to the schedule, I was really tempted to keep going. Seemed instantly engaging, unlike Tale of Two Cities which I have been plodding through slowly.

[Piggywaspushed]

I read Tale of Two Cities recently. It gets better, I thought and I was really quite moved by the end. It doesn't feel very Dickensian though.

But the first two chapters are bemusingly bad (other than the famous first lines!)

[ChessieFL]

I want to read more Dickens, and haven’t read Bleak House before, but not sure I will be able to stick to the schedule - like a pp said I think I will want to keep going! Will start off with chapters 1-4 and see how it goes.

[mamapants]

I will try and get back to it piggy its just been tidied away by DP and I haven't been back to retrieve it since about six months ago
I was kind of enjoying it but not as much as others of his I've read. Glad to hear it gets better.

[MyNameIsNotSteven]

A Take of Two Cities is my absolute favourite. I love Sidney Carton. I recently read Little Dorrit and David Copperfield too.

[Nuffaluff]

Got it out the library today! When are we going to discuss it?
piggy. No, not read any of the Christmas books on account of just having to read them just before Christmas. That takes planning! Any other time of year would be just plain wrong.

[Piggywaspushed]

Oh I have to teach it nuff. the programme of study declares we start teaching it in January. Because that makes sense.

[Nuffaluff]

Noooooo. I couldn’t cope with that.

[Palegreenstars]

Booktube and mumsnet crossing paths is so random for me as I love them both (separately).

I like the sound of this - such a long time though.

Is it true Dickens under edited to make the word count for each edition when we wrote like that? I’ve only read Great Expectations which I loved so will be interesting to see how it changes the experience

[Ladydepp]

I would love to join. I have just purchased a rather beautiful hardback copy, I can hardly bear to open it! I definitely won't be reading it in the bath .

[ScribblyGum]

This is great. Very glad to have a few fellow readers. Probably simplest if we discuss the month's reading the following month.

[FinallyHere]

Oh, I'm in. I've always meant to read it. It was on the syllabus when I did A-level English (1978). I loved all the books (other than BH) and managed to do reasonably well. Have always felt a bit guilty at nit having read BH, so this encouragement is perfect, thank you very kindly.

[Toomuchsplother]

I am in. Read all 4 chapters at the weekend - which may have been a mistake as now I am worried I will have forgotten the plot and characters by the time I start again!! Will try and stick to the schedule but I am quite an impatient reader at times.
This is a good one way to ease me back to Dickens . We have had a bit of a love hate relationship in the past

[Nuffaluff]

I’ve read the first four chapters now. Liked all the court stuff and I liked the Lady Dedlock chapter. I must say I struggled a bit with Dickens’ blatant sexist attitude. Perfect Esther. The Mrs Jellaby chapter was worst where Dickens couldn’t be more transparent - women, know your place!
I can’t help getting annoyed with it, but it’s not like I don’t know what to expect.
Overall, enjoying it so far.

[Piggywaspushed]

Bloody hell, I forgot my two chapters this weekend! Been too busy being a) knackered b) in pain c) car shopping.

Back on to it tomorrow perhaps!!

[tortelliniforever]

Sounds good! I'm in. I've never read it but absolutely loved the BBC version

[mamapants]

I've read the second chapter today. Trying to figure out whether its best to read the whole section in one go or spread it out.
Its a shame its not more like four chapters a week.

[endehors]

I'd like to join in if I may, please. What a good idea. It's years since I read Bleak House.