Reading the Chunksters discussion

This section covers the last 5 chapters of Book One, and once again I am opening it a little ahead of schedule so that it is ready for anyone who gets that far.
My chapter summaries:
(view spoiler)[
13. Lightwood, Wrayburn and the inspector in the pub, they pose as lime merchants. Wrayburn goes to check on Lizzie and sees her crying as he looks through the window.They wait for Hexam. Riderhood returns saying he has found Hexam’s boat damaged and adrift

14. Riderhood takes them to see Hexam’s boat. They tow it to shore and find Hexam’s dead body attached to it by a rope. Wrayburn disappears, Lightwood returns to the pub and home by cab next morning – his visions/nightmares are described.

15. Rokesmith visits the Boffins, and demonstrates his efficiency as a secretary, they employ him. They look around the Bower, where Mrs Boffin starts to see ghostly visions. Wrayburn leaves and Wegg appears. Boffin proposes that he moves to the Bower as a caretaker while they move to their new house.

16. Rokesmith proves a diligent secretary but refuses any dealings with Lightwood, who has advertised for information on Julius Handford. We hear about the Milveys’ search for an orphan and the difficulties they face. They eventually find a candidate in Brentford, and the Boffins go to visit the young orphan boy who lives with his grandmother Betty Higden – she earns money as a minder for other children, and has adopted one (Sloppy). On their way back Rokesmith meets Bella and they talk.

17. At the Boffins’ new house, they hold a party and invite the Veneerings, Mrs Tippins, Twemlow and the Podsnaps. Bella moves in. The secretary deals with an increasing mountain of requests for charitable donations.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13

Well. it looks like old Gaffer has run afoul of someone or has damaged his own boat in an act of deception and desperation and is on the lam. Poor Lizzie, losing brother and father within a couple of days of one another. How will she support herself?

I have to say, Eugene and Mortimer are really getting involved in their cases. They are even assisting the inspector.

Chapter 14

I'm sure Eugene went for a walk, but to where and to whom?

Is Gaffer really dead? I ask because I think he's been doing this too long to make that kind of mistake.

Yes, he is really dead, but Dickens does play that trick elsewhere in the book.

I can't answer the question about Eugene's walk without spoiling...

Chapter 15

Love the part where Boffin says the only secretary he's ever known is a piece of furniture.

Oh, my! Looks like Boffin has placed Wegg in charge of remodeling his new home and the money that goes along with it. Wegg may be living high off the hog, and Boffin may no longer be as wealthy as he thinks he is. This does give us a chance, though, to see what kind of a guy Rokesmith is. As the new secretary -- not a piece of furniture -- Boffin is having him look at the work and cost of the remodeling. Let's see what he finds, and what he does with that knowledge.

Mrs. Boffin seeing/feeling the ghosts of Mr. Harmon and his two kids brings me back to what Mrs. Wilfer said -- something about her being trouble and not what she appears to be.

Its about 200+ pages and a quarter through the book and I am still not engrossed in the plot. So far, I agree with those 1860s critics who, Wikipedia reports, "found the plot both too complex and not well laid out. The Times of London found the first few chapters did not draw the reader into the characters." and that "at that early stage the reader was more perplexed than pleased."
Hopefully, the plot will become better laid out so I can appreciate and value this novel as most of the 21st century critics do. Reading the comments here do help me feel less perplexed so thanks.

It is a very convoluted plot but quite a clever one - worth sticking with...

Thanks, Hugh. I appreciate the encouragement. I'm keeping at it and understand I may like it better as it goes on.
Another GR friend gave it 5 stars and said this book employs more plots and characters and literary devices than most Dickens' and that "in the beginning, this made the thread a little harder to keep untangled, but in the end, it served his purposes beautifully."
I didn't comment in the last section and after 2 sections without having anything to add to the discussion I felt like making a comment that I'm still hanging in there. (Also, I have to comment to get notices of other comments in this thread)

Brian wrote: "Its about 200+ pages and a quarter through the book and I am still not engrossed in the plot. So far, I agree with those 1860s critics who, Wikipedia reports, "found the plot both too complex and n..."

I found it this way also, but the clever wit and comments from the group kept me going long enough to start understanding who was who and where they were starting to fit in.

Chapter 16

Sloppy, and Toddles and Poddles. Perhaps Toodles and Poodles or Tuddles and Puddles, but Sloppy cannot be improved on. That mouth is sloppy and that laugh is . . . is . . . is . . . well, I don't know what it is, but keep it and him away from me.

Xan wrote: "Chapter 15

Mrs. Boffin seeing/feeling the ghosts of Mr. Harmon and his two kids brings me back to what Mrs. Wilfer said -- something about her being trouble and not what she appears to be...."

Mrs Wilfer indeed a shows a dislike for Mrs Boffin, and yet she is for her daughter going to be a guest there.

Xan wrote: "Chapter 16

... but Sloppy cannot be improved on. That mouth is sloppy and that laugh is . . . is . . . is . . . well, I don't know what it is, but keep it and him away from me...."

Sloppy named for a sloppy day, what sort of day could that be, a rainy muddy one?

Hugh wrote: "Yes, he is really dead, but Dickens does play that trick elsewhere in the book."

Yes I have some suspicions about certain people who have apparently died.

And yes, Eugene's walk, what is that all about? Anything? Nothing? But I think it is something, and Hugh gives the lie of the land it is something.

Xan wrote: "Chapter 13

Well. it looks like old Gaffer has run afoul of someone or has damaged his own boat in an act of deception and desperation and is on the lam. Poor Lizzie, losing brother and father with..."

I'm not sure how she's going to support herself but I suspect she might actually be better off - that was a terrible thing to say, I'm not a nice person :)

Brian wrote: "Its about 200+ pages and a quarter through the book and I am still not engrossed in the plot. So far, I agree with those 1860s critics who, Wikipedia reports, "found the plot both too complex and n..."

I am in agreement here Brian. I'm not fully engaged with the plot either but I see the potential. I'm just finding some of this section a bit tedious to get through.

Xan wrote: "Chapter 14

I'm sure Eugene went for a walk, but to where and to whom?

Is Gaffer really dead? I ask because I think he's been doing this too long to make that kind of mistake."

I think there is more to the story Gaffer is way to experienced to get tangled up in his own rope!

Xan wrote: "Chapter 16

Sloppy, and Toddles and Poddles. Perhaps Toodles and Poodles or Tuddles and Puddles, but Sloppy cannot be improved on. That mouth is sloppy and that laugh is . . . is . . . is . . . wel..."

just snorted my tea at this :)

chapter 17

At the end of this chapter when Wegg is searching the Boffins house and looking at the dust under the bed what is he looking for?

Haven't got there yet. Will start reading when week 5 opens up.

Oops I thought chap 17 was part of this section

I think it week 4 ended with 16.

Amanda is right. Hugh made Week 4 consist of 5 chapters rather than the usual 4 since Chapter 17 is the last chapter of Book One and it made more sense to include it here than next week - it's also a very short chapter. See Hugh's message 1 summary.

EDIT: I too first came to this thread after reading Chapter 16 thinking I was done and then stopped when I saw Hugh's message one stating that this week's reading was chapters 13 to 17. i was too much into a routine.

Yes, I did add an extra chapter, to get to the end of book 1, so that each book starts on a new discussion thread.

Okay, sorry Amanda and anyone else I misled. week 4 includes chapters 13 -- 17. So now I have something else to read tonight.

Xan wrote: "Okay, sorry Amanda and anyone else I misled. week 4 includes chapters 13 -- 17. So now I have something else to read tonight."

me too,
very tidy Hugh

Amanda,

Only a guess, but I suspect Wegg suspects foul play in the death of Harmon. I've been wondering about it myself ever since Mrs. Wilfer said what she said about Mrs. Boffin. Also, Harmon doesn't sound like the kind of man who would name his servants as second beneficiaries in his will. He was too much of a pill to do something that magnanimous.

Chapter 17

Looks like, unless the secretary intercedes, all the leeches will have sucked the Boffins dry by chapter 20. Then what are we going to do with the second half of the book?

And all of this triggered by an invitation to the Boffins from the Veneerings. The Veneerings. They are kind of like Mr. Roark, and their dinning table is the island, except in their version of Fantasy Island something bad happens to you.

I found this section the most difficult to get through but maybe its because I'm reading it over te Christmas holidays so haven't had much time to focus. I'm interested to see the different theards come together in Book 2

Here are just a few of my quick thoughts on each chapter. I really enjoyed this section as it is apparent that things are moving along now. Rokesmith is currently at the bottom of my list as he clearly has things up his sleeve. Sorry I don't have more precise notes, but I need to write something small for each chapter so I can move to the next section and try to catch up with the schedule.

Chapter 13
I was totally confused about why they were talking about lime at first. It took me awhile to catch on. :D

Chapter 14
I did not see this coming. I assumed that Hexam would be one of the main characters throughout the book. A push and pull between him and Riderhood as to who possibly murdered John.

Chapter 15
OK, it's clear now that Rokesmith is a complete sneak. The Boffins are so good and generous, and it's sad to see people around them take advantage.

Chapter 16
Betty can only take in 3 children because of the mangler? Lol. With the scene of the kids getting so close to it in the first place, you would think she wouldn't be allowed any.

I hope we get to see more of Sloppy. Also, I guess Charley isn't going to turn out to be the Boffins' orphan?

Chapter 17
And now the Boffins are descended upon like prey. :(

Xan wrote: "Love the part where Boffin says the only secretary he's ever known is a piece of furniture."

I'm glad you reminded me about this, because yes, this was one of my favorite parts! :D

Brian wrote: "The Times of London found the first few chapters did not draw the reader into the characters." and that "at that early stage the reader was more perplexed than pleased.""

I can see this, and agree with how I felt the first week or two of reading. And maybe why I put the book down after that section when trying to read it initially a couple years ago. But I think this week's reading is finally pulling me in and I'm gradually seeing characters intersect and threads come together. At the very least I'm starting to keep everyone straight and that is a plus.

Amanda wrote: "chapter 17

At the end of this chapter when Wegg is searching the Boffins house and looking at the dust under the bed what is he looking for?"

I assumed he was just looking for anything of value that he could pilfer that wouldn't be missed? But now you have me wondering. I mean, since Boffin came to Wegg and offered him a job rather than the other way around, I assumed that Wegg really is not part of any sort of "master plan" revolving around the Harmon estate and will. I could be wrong, though! It is Dickens...

Xan wrote: "Looks like, unless the secretary intercedes, all the leeches will have sucked the Boffins dry by chapter 20. Then what are we going to do with the second half of the book?"

Ha ha. I always love your comments, Xan. The second half of the book? Dickens always has something up his sleeve. But really, I was also wondering how long the Boffins' money will last from here on out.