The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

Eugene, Bradley Headstone, Riderhood, and Jenny Wren dominate the chapters.

One, Bradley Headstone did the deed - or tried to do the deed - and Eugene is barely clinging to life. Is Dickens going to kill off my favorite character after Sydney Carton? Bad enough that he kills off Sydney Carton; I'm going to be upset with Mr. Dickens if he kills off Eugene as well. You all know how much I like Eugene. What stood out to you the most in the Eugene storyline? For me, it was how upset Mortimer is that his friend is so serious injured. Definitely a bromance.

Two, Riderhood is on to Bradley Headstone. Odd to root for a man so unlikable as Riderhood, but I was rooting for him. I don't want to see Bradley Headstone get away with murder (or almost murder). And I don't like to see him try to pin it on someone else, however unlikable Riderhood is. I am still worried about Bradley Headstone, though, after the scene in the station. A rhetorical question: what will he do now that he knows that Lizzie and Eugene have married?

Three, Bella is wondering why John Rokesmith has never been seen by Mortimer. Another rhetorical question: will the truth come out?

Four, I was happy to see Jenny Wren friends again with Mr. Riah, after recognizing the truth about him. And I was so amused with what she did with the pepper in the scene with Fledgeby. Again, rooting for a not-so-nice person in Mr. Lammle, but Fledgeby deserved it. And while feeling bad for her father, happy that she is free of him finally. I was a bit surprised that Eugene called for her, but she is the one that figures out what Eugene wants: wife.

Five, considering how Lizzie is so important to Eugene's story, were you surprised that after she saves him in the river that she is seen so little?

Yes, I agree about Lizzie, in contrast to Bella, she isn't fleshed out, although she does break out of her martyr role in rescuing Eugene. She had the right skills from her river background, and you do hear of people doing extreme feats, like lifting something heavy, to save someone they love.

There are some interesting conspirators in this book, such as Riderhood with (and then against) Headstone, Wegg and Venus, the multiple people trying to track Lizzie down. Then there are the social conspiracies, as when Mrs Lammle gets Twemlow to intervene to save Miss Podsnap. Lots of secrets all round, and of course the biggest secret is that John Harmon is alive.

Robin - I like that idea: conspirators. Sometimes they are for the good, sometimes they are for not-so-good purposes.

Bradley Headstone reminds me of Orlick from Great Expectations - purely evil with little or no reason to be.
I also liked seeing Fledgeby get what he deserved :-)
Glad to see Lizzie and Eugene together. I think Eugene genuinely enjoys Jenny Wren's company - and having her around also reminds him of happier, more carefree times with Lizzie.
I don't have much else to say now because I'm afraid of giving away spoilers.

I'll listen to this section as I commute today. I'm so glad I can finally focus on the last book.

Oh. My. Heart.

The scenes between Eugene, Mortimer, and Jenny have done me in.

Renee wrote: "Oh. My. Heart.

The scenes between Eugene, Mortimer, and Jenny have done me in."

I know!

Gah!

In a sober note, I also like that Eugene is able to be honest enough with himself and his friend to admit that he was acting selfishly with Lizzie. His intentions were not good ones and he really was wronging her by pursuing her without honorable intent. I think we could see that clearly in their last encounter before the attack, and cannot help but wonder how long she could have held out when her heart was so involved. What would her fate have been then?
So much possibility for misery.

Yet, he is so painfully aware of his misconduct and so filled with remorse and contrition, that you can't help but be won back to his corner. His place a husband gives him redemption as much as her place as wife gives us the reward of love triumphing over station and circumstance.

I just finished this section - finally. :-)
... And I must admit that I did not take many notes as all of a sudden so many things happened and I just read through the chapters.
Bradley Headstone is beyond words. I was also wondering what he might do next after having heard about the wedding. Will he die at last as well, as Dickens has a tendency to give the people what they deserve like Quilp in TOCS.
I found it interesting that so far mostly men have died except for Betty Higden, but she was an elderly. No Nellies here.
And I am curious about Eugene. Will there be a miracle and if not what do you think of his death then? It seems a different type of ending and solution compared to the other novels.

I was also wondering how long John can hide from Mortimer and whether his secret will come out at last. Which consequences will this have for all the remaining characters?

I will try to finish the rest by tomorrow night...