'Little Dorrit' readalong

Oh!
Ho, hum.

Oh dear!

Mural is in Chapter 13 Piggy. I do like these odd decorative things Dickens throws in every now and then - there was the tropical bird aviary and fountain that John created for Bella in Our Mutual Friend that I really liked.

Hi Chessie! (My autocorrect wants to call you Chrissie ). I was thinking that the Plornish's little cottage sounded rather cosy and colourful. A bright, welcoming place probably the only one in the bookI liked the interaction between 'the lively Altro chap' and Mrs Plornish.
I must have a look at chapter 19!

I’ve just realised I never came back with my comments, sorry about that! I don’t think I can add much to what’s already been said though. I also loved the ‘ghoul in gloves’ comparison. Merdle (my autocorrect wanted to change that to Meddle which sounds about right!) is very much a symbol rather than a character really - we don’t know anything much about him other than that he’s very rich. Depressing though that things haven’t changed - just look at the Neil Woodford scandal recently.

Did anyone else like the idea of the cottage mural the Plornishes have painted on their parlour wall? It sounds fab and I would love to have something like that in my house!

I’m still wondering who Richaud/Blandois is and why everyone is so keen to track him down (but never seem very pleased to see him when he does turn up!).

There is much to be baffled about in this book, Piggy

Re 'hi'... Yes, perhaps!
'Hi!' cried the woman, raising a cracked voice. 'Jeremiah!'
It looked funny to me!

I agree, it wasn't the most exciting installment this time round. I think the chapter about Merdle's dinner party nearly sent me into a one hundred year slumber, it was so dull.

I have a bad feeling too about Arthur getting involved in Merdle Enterprises. I think Pancks is going to lead him astray, albeit unintentionally, and it could go wrong.

Merdle must be the most nondescript character in the book. He has absolutely nothing to say for himself. He hardly makes a mark on the page, he is so self-effacing.

I'm no fan of Fanny, but felt rather sad for her walking into an unhappy marriage with Sparkler, deciding that this is the life she is 'fitted' for and to set herself up in competition with Mrs Merdle. So shallow. I did like her outspoken declaration of being tired of Mrs General. I also loved 'the ghoul in gloves' description. There will be no tolerating her if she becomes Mrs Dorrit. 'I am to be left alone with Mrs General', wails Amy.

I was baffled as to why Flora wanted Mr. Dorrit to go on a search for Rigaud. Apparently, 'for the clearing of all parties', though it really doesn't concern her. I quite liked the line 'Mr. Dorrit looked as if he must immediately be driven out of his mind by this account'. She has this effect on everyone! You would want the patience of all the saints to talk to her.

A trivial point; I was surprised to see Affery say 'hi' to Dorrit. I thought 'hi' was would have been too modern for this era.

Finally, the encounter between Mr. Dorrit and John Chivery was rather shocking. It really showed the measure of Dorrit's insecurity in his new position, how much he wants to leave his past behind and his mortal fear that it will impinge on his new life.

Place-marking for later.

I really enjoyed Piggy's and Lady Daphne's summaries. Spot on

It did seem like the more interesting elements of the plot were missing (where have Miss Wade and Tattycoram got to?). I think the threads that are going to lead to the novel's resolution (Miss Wade's parentage, M. Blandois' nefarious dealings, and getting Arthur and Amy at least in the same country) were out of focus here, with lots more Merdle instead. The need to get Arthur and Amy together is getting much more pressing now that Mr Dorrit has got it into his head that he needs to find a suitable husband for his younger daughter.

There was a growing sense that investing in Mr Merdle's empire might not be the wisest thing to do. Arthur seems to be tempted after his conversations with Pancks, and Mr Dorrit is also being drawn in now that Fanny has married Merdle's stepson - he's not in danger of losing his new fortune and ending up back in the Marshalsea, is he?

Fanny's decision to marry Edmund Sparkler so that she could compete more effectively with Mrs Merdle's bosom appeared unwise also.

I have read the chapters but I’m in the office early tomorrow so may not update with my thoughts (such as they are) until the evening.

Apologies I've not read this months chapters yet, but I will be back to catch up on the collective words of wisdom when I have!

I can honestly say I’ve had enough of Mrs Merdle’s bosom now. I’m starting to think Little Dorrit represents Dickens in his Ken Follett phase.

Which chapters are we reading in October please Piggy?

I got behind with this but named to catch up this month.

The book has taken a rather sudden change of scenery going from the small world of the prison to Europe! But I feel as though the family dynamics with fanny and Amy have been given more space to breathe and play out

Agree with Ladybird that the despicable Dorrits (except the saintly Amy) just want to distance themselves from their poverty stricken past and have conveniently forgotten that Arthur and Panks were the keys to their brighter future.
I also felt that the extravagant life style they're now leading could only be maintained if they had found themselves coming into a multi million pound fortune and if they don't reign it in a bit they'll be heading back to the Marshallsea in quick order!