The Old Curiosity Club discussion

This is a thread for Curiosities to recommend books they found particularly enjoyable or interesting. I'd say that both fiction and non-fiction recommendations are welcome.

Anything goes, Tristram? Or just Dickens related and Victorian era?

I'd say that anything goes, as a recommendation coming from an Old Curiosity might be bound to be interesting to another Old Curiosity.

This is a good thread idea, Tristram. I would always be interested in what fellow book club members have to say.

Not long ago, I reread a Shakespeare book that I had enjoyed some years back. It is about how scholars and others perceive the bard today and how the language and flow of the plays are studied. My review of it is in the link.

The Shakespeare Wars: Clashing Scholars, Public Fiascoes, Palace Coups

Thanks for starting the recommendations, John! I am planning to read some Shakespeare in 2022 and so your review will be remembered.

At the moment, I am not starting any new books because I am reading a rather bulky one, which is also one that will get you into low spirits. Nevertheless it is instructive: The Origins of Totalitarianism.

Curiosities

Here is a short list of books you might enjoy.

The Plot Thickens: Illustrated Victorian Serial Fiction from Dickens to du Maurier a very interesting and instructive book on how illustrations function in 19C novels.

William Powell Frith: A Painter & His World Frith was a good friend of Dickens. This book gives the reader a wonderful insight into the life of a Victorian artist.

Dickens and the Artists This is a very interesting and richly illustrated book of several Victorian artists and the synergy of their work with the novels of Dickens.

Dickens and Phiz Kim’s addition of the many illustrators that Dickens used and those who came after Dickens’s death has greatly.enriched our reading pleasure. This book is an in depth study of the fascinating relationship between Dickens and his most prolific illustrator Hablot Browne.

Happy reading.

Why Peter, thank you for your post, it looked like it was made for me. It also reminds me I haven't checked on William Powell Frith for a while, so I think I'll go spend some time with him after I leave here.

It's 10 years old this year, but I still remember Great Expectations: The Sons and Daughters of Charles Dickens, by Robert Gottlieb. I think a Dickens book club knows what kind of father and husband he was, but if you want it all laid out in one go, here's the book for you.

The author I've read recently whose books remind me somewhat of Dickens is Isaac Bashevis Singer, because they're these sprawling family sagas. They tend to start off light and end darker, though.

If you just want pure light and joy and contemporary, my favourite book so far this year has been Lauren Olyer's Fake Accounts.

Jen - I've read "Great Expectations: The Son's and Daughters of Charles Dickens" and enjoyed it. Well... maybe "appreciated" would be the more accurate term. It's relatively short, if I remember correctly - a nice overview without being overly weighed down with details.

With another war in Europe ravaging lives, I thought of the poets of World War 1. I might give this one a try.

Some Desperate Glory: The First World War the Poets Knew

Was it someone in this group who recommended "Mudlark" by Lara Maiklem to me? (I'm putting my money on Peter.) I happened upon it at the library the other day, and have been enjoying it. There are some dry parts, e. g. when she's talking about the tides, or going into detail about geography, but when she writes about her history and the stories surrounding her finds, it's quite engaging. I'm learning a lot. So, whoever it was - thanks for the recommendation!

How Green Was My Valley
They Will Drown in Their Mothers'Tears
Tell the Wolves I'm Home
A Gentleman in Moscow
Kartography
Fingersmith
An Unnecessary Woman
A Brightness Long Ago
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
84, Charing Cross Road
The Muderbot Series All Systems Red

Hi, Xan. This past weekend I happened to watch the film adaptation of How Green Was My Valley with Roddy McDowell and Maureen O'Hara. Do you know if it follows the old rule that the book is always better than the movie?

Both are very good, but the book is better. The narrative voice is Huw's, and there is simplicity in it, but it is the simplicity of the valley and not the simplicity of a child.

I'm reading it now, for the second time, over at Book Forum Refugees.

I should add we are 150 pages in and reading at a leisurely pace. So there is time to catch up if you want to join us.

Mary Lou wrote: "Was it someone in this group who recommended "Mudlark" by Lara Maiklem to me? (I'm putting my money on Peter.) I happened upon it at the library the other day, and have been enjoying it. There are ..."

I would like to take credit for a successful book recommendation but not this time.

I will think a bit and come up with a couple of titles.

Xan wrote: "I should add we are 150 pages in and reading at a leisurely pace. So there is time to catch up if you want to join us."

I've got four books going right now - I don't think I can even manage to add another one at a leisurely pace, but I appreciate the invitation!

How about some Jerome K Jerome?

I often find myself happy wrapped up with Sherlock Holmes. The settings are a delight, Holmes and Watson make me feel all will be right with the world and the fact that at times Justice triumphs over the law.

All in all, we need Sherlock Holmes looking after us.

A little Jerome K Jerome followed by Ford Maddox Ford.

Anyone know of a third with same first and last name, so we can put three in a boat?

Xan wrote: "A little Jerome K Jerome followed by Ford Maddox Ford.

Anyone know of a third with same first and last name, so we can put three in a boat?"

Xan

Great question. Hmmmm …

Mary Lou wrote: "Hi, Xan. This past weekend I happened to watch the film adaptation of How Green Was My Valley with Roddy McDowell and Maureen O'Hara. Do you know if it follows the old rule that the book is always ..."

When the film was directed by someone like John Ford, the rule does not necessarily apply ;-)

Peter wrote: "Xan wrote: "A little Jerome K Jerome followed by Ford Maddox Ford.

Anyone know of a third with same first and last name, so we can put three in a boat?"

Xan

Great question. Hmmmm …"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

No, I can't. :-)

I love the scene that opens the article. :-)

Love the Mutual Problem on the wiki page.

A few suggestions for anyone who would like to learn about London during the time of Dickens.

The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London by Judith Flanders

London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd

Thames: Sacred River by Peter Ackroyd

Thanks Peter!!! Just what I asked for!

Hi Avery

Glad to help. Both of Ackroyd’s books cover the history of London and the Thames. Nevertheless, there is much fascinating information about the Victorian times. One other you might enjoy is Judith Flanders Inside the Victorian Home: A Portrait of Domestic Life in Victorian England

If you enjoy them, or if they don’t meet your interests let me know and I’ll send along other suggestions.

I'm spending Christmas in London and am looking for a book suggestion: which of Dickens's books are most "of London"? Aren't they all, generally, except Hard Times? I'm thinking the answer will be Oliver Twist. I've already read Our Mutual Friend, Pickwick Papers and all the Christmas books. Pickwick Papers is currently my fav.

(I hope this is the right thread to post this)

Hi Sarah,

If you like Pickwick Papers with its episodic structure, you might also like Nicholas Nickleby, which is set, guess what, mainly in London.

If you care more about London places and atmosphere, Dickens's Sketches by Boz might be a good choice for you. The first part is a collection of sketches about London everyday life, of course in Dickens's inimitable vein, then there is a collection of "London types" and last not least some funny stories. The Sketches were written by Dickens before your current favourite was finished.

Have a good time in London!

Sarah wrote: "I'm spending Christmas in London and am looking for a book suggestion: which of Dickens's books are most "of London"? Aren't they all, generally, except Hard Times? I'm thinking the answer will be ..."

I envy you, Sarah! If you search "Dickens tours London" there are lots of options for Dickens themed sight-seeing. I realize that wasn't your question, but if you look at some of those sites, it might give you an idea of which areas were most prominently featured in which books. Do check in after the holidays and tell us about your trip!

Tristram: A perfect suggestion, thank you! I completely forgot about that book. Henry Mayhew's London Labour and the London Poor is one of my favorites. Boz seems to be in that line. I just placed an order for the Penguin edition. As to Pickwick, I prefer it for the humor mainly.

Mary Lou: I've never done a Dickens tour of London, that sounds like a lot of fun! I lodge in the City, a few blocks from the Cheshire Cheese, in the heart of Dickensland, so let me know if you have any special requests. Last time I was there, I sought out some of the old buildings around Blackfriars. More survived the war than I had previously realized.