The Old Curiosity Club discussion

Dear Friends and Fellow-Curiosities,

2018 was, as far as I am concerned, a wonderful year for our Old Curiosity Club: It is insightful, rewarding and also very entertaining to discuss Dickens's inimitable works with you because our discussions always make me see things I never noticed before. That is due both to the richness of Dickens's texts and to the experience, care and creativity of the readers who have assembled here.

I am thankful for being part of this! I like to think of this group's past, present, and future ;-)

And, most important of all, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Every single one of you!

A very happy Christmas to all!

As always, thank you so much to our wonderful moderators, Kim, Tristram, and Peter, who are, without a doubt, the gold standard! We don't say it enough - you guys are amazing.

Personal regards to Bionic Jean and Tristram, who have been friends as well as fellow Curiosities. You've each gone out of your way to be helpful to me this year, and I am so grateful to both of you!

And, if I may, please join me in raising a glass to the Curiosities who are no longer with us. I like to think that they're having a robust discussion with the Inimitable as we speak, finally learning what became of Edwin Drood. We are richer for the time we've spent with them.

While you have your glasses raised, here's to a new year full of fun and fellowship! God bless us, everyone!

I can't do better than echo both of your thoughts! I do love being part of this group. My contributions are likely to remain patchy for the next few months, sadly, as I have a few life challenges. It's no secret, but not very Christmassy! I'll pop in whenever I can, to see "wot larks" though :)

Thank you all for your wonderful friendship and insights.

Merry Christmas everyone! I've been here half a year now, and I'm so glad I found this group. I love the dedication and unique insights of everyone here.

I agree completely, I haven't been here very long but I am really enjoying this group. Thanks so much to the moderators and everyone for their insights. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Merry Christmas to everyone. May the year ahead be blessed with good health and happiness.

I raise a glass and toast all the Old Curiosities. It is a treat to learn so much from you all. What a wonderful group!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Peter

Hello all,

What a wonderful year it's been! There are so many good things that have happened in our club and in our lives, so many good and a tiny bit of it not so good, but it is once again Christmas, and Christmas always makes the world wonderful once again. :-) I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

Merry Christmas.

Oh, if my glass is raised there is iced tea in it. :-)

Tea is in mine also or maybe apple cider. We seem to have more and in common. Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone's holidays are continuing to be fun. I'm looking forward to participating in this group in the coming year.

Did anyone get anything Dickensian for Christmas? My husband came through again this year with 25 Dickens cigarette cards. Whoever owned them before had them custom framed and matted, so you can see both the front and the back of the cards. Love it!

As always, I'm hopeless at figuring out how to add photos to my comments, but you can find one on my profile page if you want to see it.

Mary Lou wrote: "Did anyone get anything Dickensian for Christmas? My husband came through again this year with 25 Dickens cigarette cards. Whoever owned them before had them custom framed and matted, so you can se..."

Mary Lou

I’ve just looked at your Christmas present. In a word ...WOW!

How exciting.

Teri wrote: "Hope everyone's holidays are continuing to be fun. I'm looking forward to participating in this group in the coming year."

Well, I'm marking papers, and still asking myself if I am just too insensitive not to see the fun involved in it ;-)

Grump. If you would just give everyone the highest grade possible like I keep telling you, you would be perfectly happy. :-)

Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope you all had a lovely time spent with family and friends over the past weeks, and are looking forward to what the New Year may bring. I also raise my glass to the Curiosities who are no longer with us.

I know my participation has been very spotty, and I have a poor track record in finishing the last couple of Dickens books I’ve started with the group, but I still consider this group one of my favorites filled with some of the nicest friends on Goodreads. I usually don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I think I will for the one coming up - to finish up Nicholas Nickleby and The Pickwick Papers!

Tristram - I thought of you when my family and I sat down to watch A Christmas Carol this year. It was the Disney version with Jim Carrey (my husband’s favorite version). It got me wondering if you ever got around to watching this particular one and what you thought of it?

Kim wrote: "Grump. If you would just give everyone the highest grade possible like I keep telling you, you would be perfectly happy. :-)"

Believe me, I wouldn't ;-)

Linda wrote: "Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope you all had a lovely time spent with family and friends over the past weeks, and are looking forward to what the New Year may bring. I also raise my glass to the C..."

Hi Linda,

Whenever you find the time to join our discussions, you know that you are most welcome! If you are talking about the cartoon version of ACC - Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman and that other actor, to extemporize on a Seinfeld phrase -, I like it a lot because while it has put a lot of speed and action into the movie, especially when the Ghosts takes Scrooge for a ride or make him run away from them, it still sticks closely to the original and has many of the passages we discussed in the past few weeks. I first bought this one for my kids but was astonished at how well I like it.

Linda wrote: "Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope you all had a lovely time spent with family and friends over the past weeks, and are looking forward to what the New Year may bring. I also raise my glass to the C..."

Hi Linda

Good to hear from you. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. By all means, try to manage you New Year’s resolutions. But ... if you could also join us for our read of The Old Curiosity Shop we would love to have you aboard with us.

Tristram - I'm glad you liked the movie. Yes, my husband was also surprised by how much he enjoyed it given that he is not a Jim Carrey fan.

Peter - Oh boy, The Old Curiosity Shop sure calls to me. I don't know how many times I have heard Kim and Tristram banter back and forth over "poor Nell" over the past few years. It may be too hard to pass up on starting the book with the group. :)

We had a nice quiet Christmas at home. I thought of Everyman as I opened up a gift from my husband of various loose-leaf teas to try, my first foray into the arena as I usually drink pre-packaged Bigalow tea. It has become my nightly ritual to choose a different flavor to drink while I read. I intended to finish up Nicholas Nickleby during December, but I have not had as much reading time as I had hoped, but I did finish up a couple of books. So now I've got another week home before heading back to work and I hope to make some headway on NN at least.

Linda wrote: "Tristram - I'm glad you liked the movie. Yes, my husband was also surprised by how much he enjoyed it given that he is not a Jim Carrey fan.

Peter - Oh boy, The Old Curiosity Shop sure calls to me..."

Linda, the only reason Tristram and I banter about poor, sweet Little Nell is that he refuses to admit how wrong he is. It's nice to see you too. :-)

Hmmm, Kim, there is a German saying going somewhat like this:

I could agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong ;-)

I keep reading that you and many people disagree about The Old Curiosity Shop and Nell, so I am wondering what the disagreement is about. It sounds like people either love it or hate it, so would love to hear about that if possible without spoilers. I can understand that, since that is actually one of my least favorite Dickens books. I read it early on in my Dickens reading and found much of uninteresting. By the way, I will be skipping the group read of it, since I do not care to reread it.

Happy New Year to all!

Happy New Year one and all!!! Don't stay out too late. :-)

Happy New Year’s!! I’ve got another 7 hours to go, but I doubt I will make it to midnight. I don’t remember the last time I stayed awake until midnight on New Year’s, though try as I might. :)

Happy New Year, everyone! I might as well resolve to make it all the way through Old Curiosity Shop this year. I haven't read all of Dickens, but OCS is the only one I started and put down. Not sure I'm looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to your commentary!

Julie wrote: "Happy New Year, everyone! I might as well resolve to make it all the way through Old Curiosity Shop this year. I haven't read all of Dickens, but OCS is the only one I started and put down. Not sur..."

Julie

Happy New Year to you too, and all our fellow Curiosities. The OCS seems to be stirring people’s emotions even before it begins. We will try to make it interesting and also trust that there will be different opinions that are expressed with style and insight.

For the record, I really do like it. However, the next two novels, BR
and MC are my all time worst Dickens novels. Even now I am trying to figure out how to write effective and interesting commentaries for them, and we are months away from even beginning them.

Yikes!

I must say that I have heard so much mixed emotion about OCS that I feel rather curious about it.

I'm chomping at the bit. Will we have a schedule soon? (No pressure, haha!)

Peter wrote: "Julie wrote: "Happy New Year, everyone! I might as well resolve to make it all the way through Old Curiosity Shop this year. I haven't read all of Dickens, but OCS is the only one I started and put..."

Oh, see, I really like Barnaby Rudge. I think I enjoy Dickens riots. And I seem to remember there's a very good bird in there somewhere.

OCS and Barnaby Rudge will be my last two virgin Dickens reads, and I'm so pleased I can share that first time experience with all of you.

Peter, Martin Chuzzlewit wasn't one of my favorites, either, but I think it's one that will be better on second reading, when I'm not so busy trying to keep the characters straight. I wasn't crazy about the US scenes (perhaps it was my patriotism bristling a little bit), but enjoyed other parts very much. Hopefully you'll enjoy BR and MC more this time around. And as Julie said, at least there's a bird to look forward to. ;-)

Mary Lou wrote: "I'm chomping at the bit. Will we have a schedule soon? (No pressure, haha!)"

We're confident that we can deliver in the next few days ;-)

Bobbie wrote: "I keep reading that you and many people disagree about The Old Curiosity Shop and Nell, so I am wondering what the disagreement is about. It sounds like people either love it or hate it, so would l..."

Bobbie, it's difficult to say what I dislike about the novel without using spoilers, although there's already quite a bit that is spoiled in the novel itself, hehehe. I am sure that this time, reading the commentaries that are exchanged during discussions will be worth people's while even if they don't engage in the actual group read. I can understand your decision to miss out on this novel, since you have recently read it.

There is one really good character in the novel, though, and I am looking forward to meeting him again ...

Julie wrote: "I haven't read all of Dickens, but OCS is the only one I started and put down."

So, Julie, I hope you will stand by my side when I point out the deficiencies of that novel ;-)

Mary Lou wrote: "OCS and Barnaby Rudge will be my last two virgin Dickens reads, and I'm so pleased I can share that first time experience with all of you.

Peter, Martin Chuzzlewit wasn't one of my favorites, eit..."

In my case, Martin Chuzzlewit is my favourite of the three named here, and then comes Barnaby Rudge, and then nothing for a while, and then The Old Curiosity Shop. I love MC because of Mrs. Gamp, because of the Pecksniffery and also because of Old Mr. Chuffey and old Anthony Chuzzlewit. It is a very dark novel, and that's another thing I like about it. I wonder whether we will arrive at that novel in 2019 or rather in 2020?

Tristram wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "I keep reading that you and many people disagree about The Old Curiosity Shop and Nell, so I am wondering what the disagreement is about. It sounds like people either love it or hate..."

Thanks Tristram, actually it was quite a number of years ago that I read this but still do not wish to read it again, probably ever, since my reading time is limited. I may, as you suggest, follow along in the threads with the group to refresh my memory and see what others have to say.

I have not read any of the Sketches so I will certainly want to join in on those if possible.

Julie wrote: "Peter wrote: "Julie wrote: "Happy New Year, everyone! I might as well resolve to make it all the way through Old Curiosity Shop this year. I haven't read all of Dickens, but OCS is the only one I s..."

Julie

Ah yes, the bird. I will dwell a great deal on the bird to keep my sanity. :-))

Tristram wrote: "Julie wrote: "I haven't read all of Dickens, but OCS is the only one I started and put down."

So, Julie, I hope you will stand by my side when I point out the deficiencies of that novel ;-)"

Most likely!--though who knows. It may look better after Nicholas Nickleby.

Julie wrote: "It may look better after Nicholas Nickleby."

Some wish ;-)

Tristram wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "I keep reading that you and many people disagree about The Old Curiosity Shop and Nell, so I am wondering what the disagreement is about. It sounds like people either love it or hate..."

Don't listen to him Bobbie. Everyone loves Little Nell, except him of course. His grumpiness is at its greatest when poor, poor, Little Nell is at her sweetest. People in America were standing at the docks waiting for the ships to come in bringing them the next installment of TOCS just to see how our dear, sweet little Nell was doing, and Tristram is the only person who can possibly be grumpy around her. I just put up with him though, I know some day he'll see the light. :-)

Well, I'm back. Hope everyone had a great holiday and is looking forward to the perfect new year. I was away visiting relatives and two Pomeranians. Relatives were fine. Pomeranians are cute but very high maintenance.

I can't wait to start Ye Ol' Curiosity Shop. I actually know nothing of it, but the title in enticing, and I have been known to read a book or two based on title alone.

Kim, I did like Nell but I just got a little tired of all the travelling and I seem to remember the story going on and on. I found it a little boring and I actually don't remember too much detail, which usually means I did not enjoy it very much. But, I do love the title.

Bobbie, maybe you don't remember any detail about Little Nell because there is not a lot of detail to be remembered about her ;-) She is just a goody-two-shoes wandering through a poorly plotted novel with her lachrimose grandfather in tow ... I am definitely looking forward to reading this book ;-)

Tristram

How do you really feel about the novel?

;-))

I am currently reading The Clocks in This House All Tell Different Times, which takes place during 1923 and the main character is a teenage girl. Today I read the following passage:

At the library she borrows Sherlock Holmes and Three Men in a Boat and The Old Curiosity Shop, which she devours in chunks, conscious of her heart racing. Poor Nell and her grandad. That horrible, horrible Snipe.

Needless to say, reading this made me smile.

I have no knowledge of this book besides the back and forth I've heard from Kim and Tristram over the years. I'm really looking forward to reading about Little Nell for myself.

Peter wrote: "Tristram

How do you really feel about the novel?

;-))"

It‘s hard to summarize a rant in one or two sentences ;-)

Tristram wrote: "Peter wrote: "Tristram

How do you really feel about the novel?

;-))"

It‘s hard to summarize a rant in one or two sentences ;-)"

Poor, poor Little Nell.

Is Nell anything like Dudley Do-Rights' Sweet Nell Fenwick? Is she that helpless? If so, is there any chance there is a Snidely Whiplash-like character?

The Rocky and Bullwinkle show, television's highest art form.

Xan, wondering if Rocky and Bullwinkle didn't use Dickens' Nell as a blueprint for their own sweet Nell.

I don‘t know Dudley-Do-Rights nor the Rocky and Bullwinkle show but if the Nell you are referring to is soppy then there must be a connection.

Tristram wrote: "I don‘t know Dudley-Do-Rights nor the Rocky and Bullwinkle show but if the Nell you are referring to is soppy then there must be a connection."

I find myself searching for the strangest things because of you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtvsG...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSVq7...

Yup!

It should be pointed out that while Dudley is sweet on Nell, Nell is sweet on Dudley's horse.