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 Spoiler Thread
The Spoiler Thread will open on April 1, 2025.

Hi All! Downloaded this bad boy from Project Gutenberg last month and have been anxious to start it, so anxious if fact, that I started yesterday and got through Chapter 6. I read A Christmas Carol a few years back, but haven't read any other of his works. I am looking forward to getting into another of this literary legends books.

Right away I noticed the similarity of rich jerk characters, and I think I have read somewhere that this is a theme in some of Dickens' works. I am already enjoying disliking Mr. Squeers and Mr. Ralph Nickleby. It makes me wonder how people can be so callous to their family. Even more disgusting is Mr. Squeers treatment of the young boys. It's only been 6 chapters, so I know more is in store and my revulsion will only grow.

I also have thought how the narrative style - I believe 3rd person omniscient - gives me the reader insight into all the characters actions and motivations. When I read Nicholas putting such blind faith in his uncle and Mr. Squeers I just want to reach out and shake him yelling "Don't be so naive! Can't you see what terrible people these are! Wake up!"

I like the prose and descriptions Dickens uses, and see why his works have stood the test of time. I have never been keen on the colloquial dialogue, and sometimes have to slow down, and think what the characters are actually trying to say, but whatever, it lends realism to the characters. I don't get so hung up on the speech and wording of the time period, just the slang and accents, does that make sense?

Chapter 6, put me to sleep, literally. I was tired and laying down when I read it, had just read 1-5, and was trying to pay attention to what might be some deeper meaning from the stories told to the overall story being told. I am looking forward to what others think and have to say on this chapter.

So far so good!

Got to chapter 6 as well and was coming here to post about the same thing you're talking about, Thomas! I do have a feeling that these stories should have some impact on later narrative -- or its interpretation -- but they jumped out on me unexpectedly.

I too will be joining this reading. I started this afternoon and have read the first 4 chapters so far. I will probably do one more today.

This will be my 5th Dickens, having previously read A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Barnaby Rudge, and Great Expectations. So far I have enjoyed all of these books and hope to read all of Dickens novels over the next few years. I’m just so happy getting into this one, with the now familiar style and sense of humor.

Thank you to Thomas, Nente. and Beda for starting this conversation. I will admit that Dickens is not my favorite author, so I have been putting off starting this book.

Anyone else reading?

I have read the first 8 chapters now, and plan to read today. This week I read a few chapters but tried to concentrate on finishing some other books so I could give more time to this one. So far I like it, but we will see now that he has arrived at the school.

I dislike Nicholas’s uncle, but he is the typical horrible relation character who seems to find their way into every Dickens novel.

Nicholas seems like a nice young man so far. I am very much rooting for him.

Oh no! I'm late to this party. I'd love to participate with you guys on this title, but I'm already committed to 2 other titles, and they're both monsters.
I realize the ddl is end of June, but i don't think I could finish it before then, plus, I'd always be behind where the rest of you are - don't wanna drag the club for my 2-cents worth.
Have the Amazon Classics Edition of this title, and been wanting to read it, and have enjoyed the posted comments here = everything an online BC is supposed to be.

Oh well, maybe next time. My bad for not checking in more regularly with this group.
{but i feel like i'm missing out...}

I do have a question though; does anyone know if Amazon Classics Editions are complete and unabridged? Nothing's mentioned about that in the text, but I'm curious.

I just finished 1984 and am now moving on to Nicholas Nickleby. I'm on Chapter IX and this is my first Dickens.
The copy is from the Library and I'm also listening on LibriVox. It is awesome that they now have an APP from Play store.
The copy from the library has marking where the previous reader underlined passages and made smiley faces at certain parts. I don't recommend going in and marking up library books....but it is entertaining to note what stood out to the previous reader while reading.

I will be joining this one too. I just started last night. I'm 3 chapters in, which is a bit early to know how I'm going to like it, but so far so good. So far the heroes are likeable and the villains are villainous, which is typical for Dickens. I feel like it gets going more quickly than some of Dickens's books. And there is a gentle sense of humour.

The tradesmen held that he was a sort of lawyer, and the other neighbours opined that he was a kind of general agent; both of which guesses were as correct and definite as guesses about other people’s affairs usually are... - ch2

Oh my goodness, what was the point of chapter 6?!? It was such a long chapter, with seemingly no part to play in the actual plot/characters. Dickens books are long enough without this.

Maybe you're right that there will be some deeper meaning in the stories that relate to the plot later, but even so, I'm not sure it can justify the length of this chapter, nearly twice as long as any chapter before it.

Apart from this chapter, the book is going along fine so far.

Wobbley wrote: "Oh my goodness, what was the point of chapter 6?!? It was such a long chapter, with seemingly no part to play in the actual plot/characters. Dickens books are long enough without this..."

For me, there are several places where Dickens is just too long. I guess if one is writing serially, then you've got to keep it long to keep the funds flowing in to you.

I picked this up in late March when I saw it at my local library, remembering that this would be the quarterly long read. It's the first Charles Dickens book I've ever read, and the second 19th-century book I've ever read for fun (the first being Wuthering Heights). I've always been apprehensive of reading books written before the 20th century, and there is definitely a learning curve in regards to word choice and sentence structure. But it's gotten quite a bit easier for me as the book continues.

I just finished chapter 20 and I am enjoying it quite a bit so far. I've chuckled at quite a few of the quips the narrator has made, and the characters all have a lot of personality.

I wanted to mention that I love the names of the characters and places, which I've heard is sort of a Dickens trope. Wackford, Knag, Snobb, Dotheboys Hall, etc. It reminds me of Thomas Harris deciding that the best name for his cannibal character is Hannibal.

In regards to chapter 6, I didn't dislike it, but I haven't seen any relation to the plot so far. I thought the stories were interesting, but I can see why people have mixed feelings on it.

I am also glad that we get to follow along with Kate as well as Nicholas. I'm eager to see what happens next. Smike seems like a sweetheart.

The great thing about Dickens is that his voice sounds the same in all of his novels that I have read (this is my 5th). Once you get used to his writing style, it almost becomes like a warm blanket. At least to me. Before I started this book, I actually became excited just to be reading him again soon. It didn’t matter to me what; it was just going to be that familiar voice. And that alone made me happy.

I am currently reading chapter 12 of this book. It’s too early to make any judgements but the set-up so far has been kind of typical for Dickens: good people end up poor and at the mercy of miserly, cruel people.

I got to chapter 34, and I must say, starting from around chapter 20 the story absolutely flies.

With Dickens, I have a kind of "safe" feeling; for example, in this case I'm very sure both Kate and Nicholas will go through trials and hardships but will keep their dignity. Dickens doesn't humiliate his characters. Tragedy, loss, disappointment -- yes, but no harm to the essence of the personality.

I'm way behind you Nente, but I agree: things generally turn out well for the good guys in a Dickens story.

I agree! The story finds a groove and is readable. There are quotes that I like and mark them with a bookmark to go back later to read again.
There was a line in Chapter 35 that I like. And it was quoted by Smike "In the church yard we are all alike, but here there are none like me. I am a poor creature, but I know that."
I feel for Smike a lot...He is pulled in so many directions.

How is it going?
I've finished, and honestly, I've read better Dickenses, but many of the trademark elements are here. It's fascinating to follow from a literary-critic point of view: for example, how he got from suddenly revealed and not very impactful (view spoiler)[Smike's parentage (hide spoiler)] in this book to perfectly foreshadowed and emotionally riveting (view spoiler)[Esther's parentage (hide spoiler)] in Bleak House.
All in all, glad to have read it.

My progress is quite slow at the moment, because I'm in the middle of a big stack of inter-library loans that are due back soon. But I'll definitely get back to it. I have read a few more chapters, and I'm enjoying it so far. But I'm still pretty early on though -- maybe chapter 9 or so. I'm impressed that you've finished it Nente!

Thank you Wobbley. I hope you like the story, there is much to enjoy.

My progress has slowed because I’m reading too many books at once! I’m only on chapter 27. But hopefully I will be able to pick up the pace soon!

I did have a question about two of the characters: Sir Mulberry Hawk and Lord Verisopht.

What exactly did these two do to Kate at their first meeting at Ralph’s dinner? She was upset, IIRC. And now in Chapter 26 they are trying to find out where she lives. Did they sexually harass or even rape her? I’m unclear as to what really happened in Victorian-speak.

I am also gathering that maybe they are not really nobility and that they just all refer to each other as that for fun?

Can someone please clarify?

I'd say the words and actions stand as described, but that is what counts for harassment in Victorian times. They're forcing their attentions on her and she can't really evade them in her tight circumstances. I think the point Dickens wants to make the most is that a considerate and respectable relative wouldn't have introduced such people to his niece in the first place.
You'll find out as the story goes on, but there won't be any really triggering material, it's Dickens. Not even between the lines.

And, yeah, they are titled personages. The dissolute nobleman is another Dickens favourite secondary character, and serves to make a point that there's more true nobility in many a poor and honest heart.

Thank you for those clarifications. As the story when on I kind of got that myself. But I appreciate the effort. Slimy guys tho.

Anyway, I’m up to chapter 35. I think this might put me a little behind because we should be at least to the halfway point and this puts me at 49%. I guess I need to pick up the pace if I want to finish in safe time.

So far I like the story and I quite like Nicholas, but I would not say it was my favorite Dickens. I heard nothing but rave reviews before reading so I’m a bit disappointed, but it’s my own fault. It’s still a good story and very Dickens typical, so I’m happy overall.

Nicholas himself is a great character. A good man of some character.

I'm late to comments but read this specifically because it was chosen as a group read. Have just read all the comments and have a few to add. I listened to this narrated by Simon Vance, who has brilliantly read several Dickens novels. (I've read 5 Dickens so far.) I also checked out the Penguin Classics edition. It had many comments, chapter by chapter in the back which explained so much. Language, customs, Dickens style, who characters were based on, etc. Many of you mentioned the stories told in chapter 6. I also wondered about those - they were so out of left field and indeed never referred to again. The notes explained that Dickens was on deadline and needed filler! I think deadlines were a common bugaboo for Dickens. Also, learned that Squeers was based on a real Yorkshire schoolmaster that was ultimately convicted of neglect and abuse, fined but was allowed to continue his school! Dickens was on a crusade against these Yorkshire schools of which there were many and seems to have succeeded as they were mostly closed down in the years after his novel.

I look forward to forward to seeing more of what you all think.