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Original poster

'Little Dorrit' readalong

290 replies

Piggywaspushed · 07/04/2021 12:36

Hello and welcome to our next proposed Dickensalong after the success of our previous readalongs!

On our previous thread I suggested our first month as commencing in April and convening on June 1st to discuss the first instalment : gives everyone time to get copies and get settled down.

Everyone is welcome! We always start with about 10 people and end up with about 5...

Instalments I have chosen follow Dickens' shorter 19 instalments (which were all exactly the same number of pages originally - that must have taken considerable planning and editing!) but come in pairs or trios:-
The novel comprises only two Books, which forces a break at a particular point, too.

May 2021 - Book One , Chapters 1-11
June - Chapters 12-18
July - Chapters 19-25
August - Chapters 26- 36
September - Book Two Chapters 1-11
October - Chapters 12-18
November - Chapters 19-26
December - Chapters 27 - 34

So finished by 2022. I think that suits reading speed of most.

Happy Reading!

OP posts:
Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 11/04/2021 08:10

Yes, my concern too so I may make notes!

OP posts:
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 11/04/2021 08:27

I like a book for that reason, to make notes in the margin.

Trillian2020 · 11/04/2021 08:38

Hello can I join too? I attempted a Dickens (Bleak House) late last year but lost the will so this will be perfect to keep me motivated Smile

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 11/04/2021 18:17

Of course!

OP posts:
InTheCludgie · 13/04/2021 14:30

Trillian2020 reading Dickens in short chunks has definitely been of benefit to me - other than A Christmas Carol, I'm not sure if I would be able to finish one otherwise. I find his books a bit of a slog to read in one go tbh, although I love the various adaptations made of them.

nowanearlyNicemum · 14/04/2021 13:50

Got it! Should keep us busy for a while Wink

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 14/04/2021 20:00

'Little Dorrit' is a big book :)
I'm enjoying it so far.

MountRushmore · 14/04/2021 20:08

May I join in?

And am I allowed to mention the Christine Edzard films of the book? Ever since I saw that, I always picture Little Dorrit's father as Alex Guineas.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 14/04/2021 20:16

He does look like a good fit for the character.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 14/04/2021 20:16

Of course you can join. I have not seen any films/ TV shows. Am a Little Dorrit completely newcomer!

OP posts:
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 14/04/2021 20:17

@Piggywaspushed

Of course you can join. I have not seen any films/ TV shows. Am a Little Dorrit completely newcomer!
Same here.
MountRushmore · 14/04/2021 22:10

Thank you for the welcome.

The films are worth a look maybe when you've read the book. There are two: one telling the story from the point of view of Arthur Clenham and one from Little Dorrit's perspective. Both about 3 hours long so great for a lazy Sunday!

Defaultname · 18/04/2021 01:08

@MountRushmore

Thank you for the welcome.

The films are worth a look maybe when you've read the book. There are two: one telling the story from the point of view of Arthur Clenham and one from Little Dorrit's perspective. Both about 3 hours long so great for a lazy Sunday!

I love the films, including the way they don't quite match up when they cover the same incident e.g. when Pauling Quirke's character tucks into the cake at Arthur's lodgings. As you say, it's only in the second film that we get 'Little Dorrit's Story'. This is the only one of Dicken's novels named after a female character (Dombey and Son was "Something of an ironic misnomer, Dombey and Son actually focuses on the complex relationship between shipping firm owner Paul Dombey and his daughter, Florence. Already a misogynistic, emotionally abusive father to “Floy,” Dombey becomes even more hostile toward her..." reedsy.com/discovery/blog/charles-dickens-books

The 1934 German film of Little Dorrit has a cast list that reads
"Gustav Waldau as William Dorrit
Anny Ondra as Amy, seine Tochter
Hilde Hildebrand as Lily, seine Tochter
Kurt Meisel as Pit, sein Sohn." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Dorrit_(1934_film)#:~:text=Little%20Dorrit%20(German%3A%20Klein%20Dorrit,Anny%20Ondra%2C%20and%20Hilde%20Hildebrand.

so Amy, our Little Dorrit, is just "his (William Dorrit's) daughter!

Chrysanthemum5 · 19/04/2021 22:07

I watched the films as a student and loved them so read the book. Hope I'm not too late to join you!

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 20/04/2021 06:53

Not at all! Welcome welcome!

OP posts:
Chrysanthemum5 · 20/04/2021 20:26

Excellent I could wait until May so I've started it

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 20/04/2021 20:32

Me too! Done two chapters!

OP posts:
Chrysanthemum5 · 20/04/2021 20:48
Grin
Ecci · 23/04/2021 18:27

Hi, may I join? Haven't read any Dickens for many many years and never read Little Dorrit. I like the idea of reading it a bit at a time.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 23/04/2021 18:37

Come on in!

OP posts:
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 27/04/2021 13:51

Place-marking in case you start without me!

yesbutnobut · 27/04/2021 22:06

I would also like to join please! I have the book ready and am raring to go.

garlictwist · 28/04/2021 12:37

I just came on here to say good luck! I tried to get through Little Dorrit last year but just gave up, it was very long-winded and I got annoyed with Dickens' descriptions of her.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 28/04/2021 16:08

Oh dear! I shall persevere!! I think reading in instalments does help a little bit with guarding against long windeness fatigue.

OP posts:
nowanearlyNicemum · 30/04/2021 14:16

I'm one chapter in - and so far so good Grin

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