Status Updates From The Mysteries of Paris

Part 2 ch. 9-10 - very long chapters. R. (main character, "Robin Hood" type) is a nobleman but nobody knows that yet...but the reader does! (dramatic irony). He is going to rent an apt in a building to get more information about "people of interest". The concierge (M/Mme Piplet) tell him stories about the other renters. R. is listening closely. What is he going to do...help some of these poor people later?

A trend is appearing: Sue writes several "simple chapters" with dialogue, robberies, meetings in thieves dens...then we get a INFO bomb! This suspense device is often called a "serial hook" or "episode hook." This technique was especially popular in feuilleton novels. It works...I can't wait for the next chapter!

Every time I open the book a feeling of exhaustion invades me not even having read a word! 1067 pages that is quite a challenge. I push myself to read 50 pages a day but it is not an easy task . Petit à petit, je progresse.

Finished part 1/10 - Feuilleton novels chapters and parts always ends with cliffhangers...and Eugène Sue did not disappoint in part one ch XXI!

Chapters are filled with moments that keep the reader curious: people whisper in sb's ear...(?) Rudolph mentions smth important..."... but I'll tell you about it later." Often there is a fight scene, I read it. Then one of the characters repeats the scene telling it to another character. This makes for chapters that tell us nothing new. No wonder the book has 1037 pages!

Speed bumps in the first few chapters but now the narrative has become familiar
It is a roman feuilleton so the chapters end with cliffhangers.
To be honest the story is very simple and
...I'm having difficulty staying engaged with the book,
...un  peu 'ennuyeux"  (boring)
I definitely must read other books.
I feel with MdP I'm just plodding along and am getting the job done
...no great 'reading joy'.

Re-read ch 1 - I spent the entire day just in chapter 2 underling the worlds in italics (31 words/expressions). I’ve ONLY finished looking up and understanding 7 words !! This is a VERY LONG project.