Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens is our 2nd Quarter (April - June) 2025 Long Read Group Choice Book.

This is the No Spoiler Thread
The Spoiler Thread will open on April 1, 2025.

This early posting of the No Spoiler thread is to discuss any non-plot issues pertaining to the book.

Appropriate Posts can contain:
1. Information about the author.
2. Compare editions/translations.
3. Any historical or background information
4. Are you familiar with this author’s work? Do you have any expectations going into the book?
5. What made you decide to read this book?
6. Any fan fiction that you have read or would like to read? Just link the books.
7. If you loved the book and want others to share in that experience, use this thread to motivate others, again save plot specifics for the Spoiler thread
8. If you hated the book, it would be best to keep that for the spoiler page

The most important thing to remember is no plot discussion. Any post that contains plot information or spoilers will be deleted.

We have read many of Charles Dickens's books:
Great Expectations: 2014, 2018
A Tale of Two Cities: 2014, 2018, 2024
A Christmas Carol: 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2024
Oliver Twist: 2011, 2024
Bleak House: 2016
David Copperfield: 2013, 2014, 2019
Hard Times: 2017
Little Dorrit: 2023

As far as I can find looking at our bookshelf

So I guess it is time to read this one, as it is one of Dickens' work that we have not discussed as a group.

I've read a lot of Dickens, but this one has escaped me. So I'll try to join in at some point.

We had 53 people vote for this book in the poll. I am wondering if you voted for the book itself, or if you voted for Dickens? And why? Do you love Dickens' writing? Or has this book been on your TBR list?

Just wondering.

The book I voted for finished dead last. Had I voted for this one, its being authored by Dickens would have been reason enough for my vote. I joined this group 14 years ago. With the exception of A Christmas Carol, I had never read a book by Dickens.

Before joining the group, the thought of reading Dickens was scary, I just couldn’t see myself reading one, I guess I thought the language would be too hard. In 2011 the group voted for Oliver Twist, I figured what the hell, I ‘d give it a try. I learned I really like Dickens. Since then, I have read 9 novels and half a dozen short stories.

Prior to this one winning, the next Dickens on my TBR was Bleak House. The group voted for it in 2016 and I have yet to get to it. Instead I read The Pickwick Papers and The Old Curiosity Shop. If reading another Dickens novel is in my near future I will make it Nicholas Nickleby, simply because the discussion will be fresher.

I can't actually remember which book I voted for! But I am happy that Nicholas Nickleby won. I read it last year, and I loved it! It turned out to be one of my favorites by Dickens. I think everyone should read this one :)

Thank you for your replies, Bob and Terris.

I love Dickens and have read many but didn't vote for this one. I like Dickens writing in general and how he has eccentric characters in his novels and has sympathetic main characters (for the most part) and important themes. Like Bob mentioned, Dickens can be daunting, especially the length and complexity of his works, but I think there is a timelessness about the quality of his novels that I'm drawn to. I also like how he ties all the subplots together nicely.

Nice thoughts Franky. I am hoping several members will join us in this read for the next quarter.

I re-read this one recently, so I won't join in, but I agree with others that if you have not read it, it is a lot of fun. I always enjoy Dickens and he is one of those authors from whom you can get something new with every read.

I did not vote for this book, but I may try to join in. I am working my way through all of Dicken's novels, and I only have three remaining and this is one. I read two last year, so I am feeling a bit burned out on Dickens, but I would like to read this with the group.

I am working my way through Dickens and I already had NN planned for 2025, so voting for it here was a no-brainer ;o)

I'm reading Little Dorrit at the moment, and really enjoying it. But I may either try to finish quickly or put it aside to read NN, as I haven't read it yet.

I read Dickens as a girl, Tale of Two Cities was a favorite, and I enjoyed Pickwick Papers. But then I read Oliver Twist and started another, and I couldn't take the abuse of children, plus I didn't like Great Expectations, so I thought he wasn't for me. Other than his Christmas books I only reread TOTC and PP.

Only recently did Katie on YouTube at Books and Things convince me to try more of him, so I tried Our Mutual Friend, and I loved it. I really enjoy his writing style, how evocative of setting it is. And he created some fascinating characters. Plus his use of language is stellar. Sometimes I just enjoy wallowing in his words. So, I hope to be able to join you all for this book soon.

I have my copy ready to go for April. As always, finishing up a few books for March still.

I am a fairly new member of the group and don’t recall voting at all. But I will join this for sure since I’ve not read it. I love Dickens!

Beda wrote: "I am a fairly new member of the group and don’t recall voting at all. But I will join this for sure since I’ve not read it. I love Dickens!"

Glad to have you reading with us, Beda.

I voted for this one, and I'll be joining in the group read, looking forward to it :)

Nice to have more people planning to read with us.

At around 800 pages of small print in my copy of the books gives me a bit more than 250 pages a month. So I'm trying to make a plan I can stick with for this read.

April: Sections I - VII (chapters 1 - 23) about 290 pages
May: Sections VIII - XIII (Chapters 24 - 42) about 230 pages
June: Sections XIV - XX (Chapters 43 - 65) about 250 pages

Katy wrote: "At around 800 pages of small print in my copy of the books gives me a bit more than 250 pages a month..."

I'll start tomorrow!

I'll be joining you in this read =) Already done some three chapters and will probably spend more time in the Spoiler thread. Usually I find that spoilers are not the most important thing in a Dickens, but got to respect the others' preferences!

I'll be joining this one. I did vote for it. It was actually Terris who convinced me to read this one as my next Dickens, when she so much enjoyed it last year.

I have now started this one, albeit one month in to the quarter, but expect Dickens' vignettey chapters to shepherd me through to a finish before end of June...