The Pickwick Club discussion

Most Honourable Fellow Pickwickians,

as polls have revealed, there is a slim, albeit unquestionable majority in favour of reading five chapters of Barnaby Rudge per week, and in the light of this decision of the Pickwick Club I am going to propose the following reading schedule:

01/01 - 07/01 : Chapters 1-5
08/01 - 14/01 : Chapters 6-10
15/01 - 21/01 : Chapters 11-15
22/01 - 28/01 : Chapters 16-20
29/01 - 04/02 : Chapters 21-25
05/02 - 11/02 : Chapters 26-30
12/02 - 18/02 : Chapters 31-35
19/02 - 25/02 : Chapters 36-40
26/02 - 04/03 : Chapters 41-45
05/03 - 11/03 : Chapters 46-50
12/03 - 18/03 : Chapters 51-55
19/03 - 25/03 : Chapters 56-60
26/03 - 01/04 : Chapters 61-65
02/04 - 08/04 : Chapters 66-70
09/04 - 15/04 : Chapters 71-76
16/04 - 22/04 : Chapters 77-82

If any of you find any inconsistencies, please notify me. The last two weeks will be filled with 6 chapters because all in all the book has 82 chapters, and I had to squeeze the two odd chapters in somewhere.

As to the rest of April, we might continue our tour through Sketches by Boz and go on where we stopped last time - and then start Martin Chuzzlewit in May.

Sounds and looks good to me. I normally power through books but I'll be sticking with the schedule to enjoy the discussion with everyone else who is joining in. My book is at the ready. :-) Lol.

Just great. Now I have to figure out how much of a chapter I have to read a day to only read five chapters in seven days. I'm confused already. :-}

Kim, perhaps read one chapter a day, Monday to Friday then have the weekend off. :-)

This works for me. Thanks. Can you imagine actually writing BR?

My New Year's resolution is not to jump ahead on this book so I loaded it on my e-reader (for me this makes it hard to peek ahead.)

Let's see how long this resolution will last ;>)

Peter wrote: "This works for me. Thanks. Can you imagine actually writing BR?

My New Year's resolution is not to jump ahead on this book so I loaded it on my e-reader (for me this makes it hard to peek ahea..."

LOL Peter. You sound as bad as me!

Monday thru Friday with the weekend off...hmm that just might work. :-}

I always read ahead, can't help myself, but I make any notes that I want to share with the group and then add them when we get to that part. That's how I did it with NN anyway, with TOCS it seemed like everyone was far ahead of me, so I just finished the book and gave up. :-} Now I'm so busy with doctors one chapter a day sounds good. :-}

schedule good for me too. this will be my 5 time. has anyone read it? I have never met anyone who read it or even heard of it. I have only discussed it with my grand daughter. who is now 5. I taught her to imitate grip the raven. we're the only ones who get the joke!

Christine wrote: "schedule good for me too. this will be my 5 time. has anyone read it? I have never met anyone who read it or even heard of it. I have only discussed it with my grand daughter. who is now 5. I taugh..."

Hi Christine

I have attempted to read it, but never finished. My New Year's resolution is to complete it, at long last.

With 5 times, you might be the Barnaby Rudge champion in the Pickwick Club, Christine. Our group read will be the 3rd time for me to read this novel, which, to my mind, is not half as bad as it is commonly made out to be. I'm especially looking forward to Simon Tappertit.

Yeah, I think this will be my third read too. You're looking forward to Simon Tappertit? You can have him, I'll take Emma Haredale and Dolly Varden myself. Even Miggs is better than him. :-} Oh, and just in case you're wondering, I like this novel too.

Oh, I forgot, finally got the doctor call we've been waiting for, there's no cancer. Everything looks ok. :-}

Kim wrote: "Oh, I forgot, finally got the doctor call we've been waiting for, there's no cancer. Everything looks ok. :-}"

Good things come to good people. Only 262 days till Christmas.

Kim wrote: "Oh, I forgot, finally got the doctor call we've been waiting for, there's no cancer. Everything looks ok. :-}"

That's wonderful. You must be incredibly relieved.

Peter wrote: " Only 262 days till Christmas. "

Just curious which months you're deciding don't count.

Everyman wrote: "Peter wrote: " Only 262 days till Christmas. "

Just curious which months you're deciding don't count."

Hi Everyman

When we lived in Toronto we tried to ignore winter but I really should proofread regardless of the time of year.

I'm still getting used to living in Victoria and realizing it is the hot spot for weather in Canada during the winter months.

Everyman wrote: "Kim wrote: "Oh, I forgot, finally got the doctor call we've been waiting for, there's no cancer. Everything looks ok. :-}"

That's wonderful. You must be incredibly relieved."

thanks, we are.

Peter wrote: Good things come to good people. Only 262 days till Christmas."

Very good! I'm impressed, not many people know how many days it is until Christmas, especially right now. Oh, right now it's 260 days till Christmas. :-}

Tristram wrote: "With 5 times, you might be the Barnaby Rudge champion in the Pickwick Club, Christine. Our group read will be the 3rd time for me to read this novel, which, to my mind, is not half as bad as it is ..."

Oh my. I am an expert ... But the story is my area. The fictional story snuggled in an historical wrapper. I am on the edge of my seat to hear what the members who are literary experts ,students and teachers etc, see in this work. I read books like a blond. I bubble head into the story and believe what ever they tell me. For the fun of it all!! Movies on the other hand ....I can pick apart like a starving man on a crab.

I absolutely love reading the conversations between the learned on this thread. Its very interesting. The truth about the fiction. I can't wait. I can see the BR could be a boring read to many. I read that people think it has lots of flaws it the writing as well. I would never be able to detect any with my fiction brain. So, I am excited.

I love all the characters. Hugh is one of my favorites. And Dennis the hangman. And if you want a happy marriage, never have a miggs!!

My review on this , going in, there is no main character. Its just a story about people who lived through a time. Nothing more or less.

Kim wrote: "Oh, I forgot, finally got the doctor call we've been waiting for, there's no cancer. Everything looks ok. :-}"

GREAT!!!! I knew it. I have feelings on such things. And the power of prayer. You are just going to have to wait for your heavenly dinner with Charles. LOL ;-)

Christine wrote: "Kim wrote: "Oh, I forgot, finally got the doctor call we've been waiting for, there's no cancer. Everything looks ok. :-}"

GREAT!!!! I knew it. I have feelings on such things. And the power of pr..."

I know, he'll have to wait a little longer for me, and all the Christmas decorating I'm planning to do for all eternity will just have to be put on hold. :-} Thanks so much for your prayers.

When do you tidy up Christmas? I for one dismantle Christmas 1/2 way end of January. Leaving all pink red and white. Then throw up a few hearts for Valentine's day.

This year I don't have much to do though. Our house burned down 2 years ago ( no people died. Electric co 220 transformer failed and sent a spike into my breaker box )and we lost everything , Christmas too. So we are like newlyweds!! Don't be sad. We were well insured and rebuilt a beautiful house.


Another thing that connects me to Barnaby Rudge.

Christine wrote: "When do you tidy up Christmas? I for one dismantle Christmas 1/2 way end of January. Leaving all pink red and white. Then throw up a few hearts for Valentine's day.

This year I don't have much to..."

Oh no! That's still sad even though you said not to be. All the things you lost! It would take years just to replace all the Christmas decorations! :-)

Anyway, to answer your question, we will probably begin sometime next week. We have guests coming this weekend, then I'm pretty sure everyone is gone. And any day now the lights will start going out, so once that happens after New Year, we just start taking it down. It will take a few weeks to get it all down though and some things are always out. A lot of the nativities, all the Byers Choice carolers and the Department 56 village just stays out. I'm out of room in the garage for more totes even if I wanted to put it all away. :-}

Now I just start waiting for next year, making plans for the decorations and figuring out what we'll make for Christmas gifts. :-}

I encourage all year display of what pleases. I have a few pieces that I keep in the curio or china closet all year.

Things are not as tough to replace as you think. People are so nice. I had a huge amount of donations. Most I redonated to the local non prof thrift. Like Kim Said, collecting is the key . Not to mention Shopping for new stuff each season is awesome ( for a girl anyway).

I do well with the hearts etc. I gather up milk glass and red vases & candlesticks. Blah blah blah. My granddaughter and I dress all the barbies in pink. So even the mess looks festive!

Then that's it. Out comes summer stuff and I dust and vac till Christmas.

Kim, that is exiting, to plan like you do. Creativity is a very satisfying boat to sail on.

Christine wrote: "I love all the characters. Hugh is one of my favorites. And Dennis the hangman. And if you want a happy marriage, never have a miggs!!"

Please be careful of spoilers for those of us who don't know the book.

Thanks.

Will do! Y'all lead the way.

Christine wrote: "Tristram wrote: "With 5 times, you might be the Barnaby Rudge champion in the Pickwick Club, Christine. Our group read will be the 3rd time for me to read this novel, which, to my mind, is not half..."

Hi Christine

Your joy and love of reading, the empathy and insight you have for the characters, and your honesty and candor are very exciting to read each post. Keep commenting. I'm the newbie to BR so I'm counting on you and the gang to get me through it. I'm looking forward to next week.

I'm sorry to hear about your recent home loss. I fear fire more than anything.

One word about organizing this group read:

As our reading week now starts on a Thursday, we might open threads on our respective reading portion on Sundays, i.e. in the middle of the reading week. The advantage of this is, I think, that it is not too early to spoil a lot of things and not too late for people who read quickly to forget about details they'd otherwise have mentioned.

If anybody thinks this too early or too late, please let us know and give some reasons for your suggestion.

Here here. I have no idea if it sounds good or not. It is a plan and I am ready for the adventure pickwickian style.

Tristram wrote: "One word about organizing this group read:

As our reading week now starts on a Thursday, we might open threads on our respective reading portion on Sundays, i.e. in the middle of the reading week...."


Sounds fine with me. NN used to seem a little long waiting, but I just used to jot down my observations and wait for the thread to open. TOCS went way to fast and I just quit, of course between decorating and double biopsies (I wonder if that's how you spell that?) I didn't have that much time in December anyway. Anyway, like I said, sounds fine with me. :-}

Sounds good. Btw, happy new year everyone. It's already 2014 here. :-)

Dear lord!! When did that happen?! I'm a silly american!! Thinking everyone is on or near our time. How is it?

Kate wrote: "Sounds good. Btw, happy new year everyone. It's already 2014 here. :-)"

Still hours away here. It's just after seven. But we're getting ready, I just heard on the news that Mechanicsburg is going to drop a wrench, Duncannon a sled, Carlisle a button, and Yellow Breeches and pair of yellow pants. We seem to be a little weird around here. :-}

Kim wrote: "Kate wrote: "Sounds good. Btw, happy new year everyone. It's already 2014 here. :-)"

Still hours away here. It's just after seven. But we're getting ready, I just heard on the news that Mechanic..."

Yeah I was going to try to wish everyone a Happy New Year as they got to midnight, but I missed Kate by far, missed our friends in Germany too, and as for the guys out west, I'll be asleep before it gets to them. I wonder if they all watch the ball drop live or if it's showed on tape at midnight? Never thought about it before.

I know. So Pennsylvania . We think everyone wants to be us!! But they don't. We're so weird.

We do different things each year. From not sober till February to asleep at 9:00 pm. This year we are out for steaks. Home by 9pm and watch the ball drop n the tube!

Kim wrote: "Still hours away here. It's just after seven. "

Just 5:00 here. Many hours to go. Though we'll be in bed long before midnight strikes. That's why we love the live shows from the East Coast. We can watch the fireworks and the ball drop at 9:00 our time and go to bed knowing we've seen all we need to see!

Everyman wrote: "Kim wrote: "Still hours away here. It's just after seven. "

Just 5:00 here. Many hours to go. Though we'll be in bed long before midnight strikes. That's why we love the live shows from the Ea..."

You'll be in bed long before midnight on New Year's Eve? Only old people go to bed before midnight on New Year's Eve. :-}

A Happy New Year to all of you. I'm actually glad that New Year's Eve is over now because mostly you're under the impression of something solemn going on and your being unable to rise to the occasion. So to me, Dec 31 is always a bore ...

I also know myself too well to be taken in by any New Year's Resolutions - they make January a hell for keeping them, February a hell for breaking them and the rest of the year you don't even think about them.

I'm looking forward to this read, though - and I've got one read-unrelated question. Some of you are talking about "watching the ball drop". Now I might reveal my ignorance here, but what do you mean by that?

Joy wrote: "In Times Square in New York City there is a ball that drops exactly at midnight. This is televised so the rest of us can watch it. I'm an hour behind NY time, but when my kids were younger I used t..."

Thanks a lot, Joy, for this information. I did not know anything about the ball, but thanks to the Pickwick Club I still get the opportunity to learn something about American popular culture.

As to Sesame Street, I practically grew up with it. It used to run every day at 6 o' clock p.m. My favourite character was, and presumably still is, Grover - in German Grobi, the wonderfully creative slob.

I love Grover too. He's so light hearted and believes in himself. I love grobi too. What a great translation. There is one where grobi is demonstrating far and near. He's running back and forth till he is exhausted. So funny!


Today ( New Year's Day) is the mummers parade. This is an unusual Philadelphia tradition! Google them. Oh to be a mummer!!

The "ball" is covered with Waterford crystal. Gorgeous!

Tristram! You are so bunched up about this resolution thing. Gee whiz you could resolve to never make a resolution. There's the best of both worlds!

I am not a self disciplined person so, I would need an assistant to follow me around keeping me in order, if I were to be traditional .And god made me. So I say I can offer you resolutions on my behalf. I can have great intentions but in the end all I can offer you is. God won't let me keep them! LOL

I resolve to embrace myself this year. I am going to be me and love me with all my faults.

That's one I can keep!

Years ago I resolved to choose my faults. If anyone points out a flaw I say " I chose that one. It's a prerequisite as a human . I have to have them. I suppose I could trade that one. Say, replace it with lying or something...?" LOL.

Joy, your story is heart warming. Stuff movies are made of. From dear grandpa leaving us. Gifting a Christmas journey around the world to collage and ones own journey into life. Thank you for sharing it.

I am going to make a point to miss Jim Henson today. ( muppet creator ) . He left too soon.

Joy, I too enjoyed your story very much. It seems that as I age (gracefully, like a good wine, or scotch) I want to embrace traditions more and more. Thanks for sharing it.

To all Pickwickians, Happy New Year. We celebrated the New Year twice, once via Skype with my wife's family in Portugal, at 4:00 p.m. our time, and then we struggled to stay awake 'till 12:00 to do it again. I think I'll borrow Joy's advice, watch the ball drop in New York at 9:00 p.m. our time, then go to bed.

On to BR, all ...

Tristram wrote: "I also know myself too well to be taken in by any New Year's Resolutions - they make January a hell for keeping them, February a hell for breaking them and the rest of the year you don't even think about them."

Oh, dear. There goes my resolution to resolve to keep up with all the Pickwick Club readings this year.

Tristram wrote: "Most Honourable Fellow Pickwickians,

as polls have revealed, there is a slim, albeit unquestionable majority in favour of reading five chapters of Barnaby Rudge per week, and in the light of this ..."

I strongly, vociferously, and adamantly object to reading six chapters per week, the final two weeks. In a peremptory fashion, you have trumped the will of your Fellow Pickwickians and burdened their weary shoulders with an onerous task. I strongly suggest, that in true democratic and Pickwickian fashion, we have a poll to decide how we should deal with the final two chapters. Common sense would suggest, that we save them for the final week and read them concomitantly with one or two of the Sketches. But, as you seem to be devoid of that ubiquitous faculty, and no other Pickwickian has raised a fuss, I might find it in my Pickwickian and noble heart to forgive you, acquiesce to your demands, and go humbly and quietly along with the established program. But, first, we shall have a poll on that.

Kim wrote: "Just great. Now I have to figure out how much of a chapter I have to read a day to only read five chapters in seven days. I'm confused already. :-}"

In case you missed this in the Poll Discussion, I will repeat it here, for your benefit. I was worried about you. This should help:

5 is half of ten. Thus, half of one and a half is three-fourths. You would have to read three-fourths of a chapter per day. If you need help figuring out what three-fourths of each chapter is, I can grab my calculator and make you a personalized reading schedule. Or, you could do one chapter per day, Monday through Friday, and take the weekends off. Or, you could read two and a half chapters per day on Saturday and Sunday, don't forget about church though, and then tweedle your thumbs, or type your comments on Monday through Friday, or spend that time looking up your interesting facts. Oh, there is so many ways to read Dickens. We will be in business forever!

Kim wrote: "Now I'm so busy with doctors one chapter a day sounds good. :-}"

What's wrong?

Kim wrote: "Oh, I forgot, finally got the doctor call we've been waiting for, there's no cancer. Everything looks ok. :-}"

Thank God!

Kim wrote: "Christine wrote: "When do you tidy up Christmas? I for one dismantle Christmas 1/2 way end of January. Leaving all pink red and white. Then throw up a few hearts for Valentine's day.

This year I ..."

You are going to have to post some pictures next year. I am sure we would all love to see the decor.

Everyman wrote: "Christine wrote: "I love all the characters. Hugh is one of my favorites. And Dennis the hangman. And if you want a happy marriage, never have a miggs!!"

Please be careful of spoilers for those of..."

Yes, please. I second the Grump! Seriously, not in a Pickwickian fashion. Serious about the warning not the appellation. That was in a Pickwickian sense.