☯Emily ’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2011)

☯Emily ’s comments from the Classics for Beginners group.

Aditya wrote: "Just started. I'll be giving updates by tomorrow. All I remember is, "That was the best of times, that was the worst of times""

That's the main thing I remembered before I started to reread. There was one other thing I remembered that is near the end. Enjoy the book!

I just started chapter 7 and I am laughing at Monsieur drinking hot chocolate. He can't drink it "without the aid of four strong men besides the Cook." This is juxtaposed with Dickens' comment that "a few sullen minds supposed [him] to be rather rapidly swallowing France."

Although the description of Monsieur seems ridiculous, it was not much of an exaggeration. The plight of the very poor was a sharp contrast to the excessive wealth of the aristocrats and the Catholic church in that period before the French Revolution. The unconcern and greed of those in power led to their downfall. It should be a sobering lesson to those 1% in our country who want both power and wealth without concern for their fellow-citizens.

I found the trial to be really exciting. The way Dickens portrayed the prosecutors was funny, yet sad. It makes me wonder how many innocent people have been railroaded over time by inflammatory words.

Can anyone guess what Jerry Cruncher means when he calls his wife 'Aggerawayter?' What does Jerry do at night that makes his boots so dirty?

Carrie, I agree with you about the descriptions of Tellson's Bank. I loved the part that says, "Tellson's was the triumphant perfection of inconvenience. After bursting open a door of idiotic obstinacy with a weak rattle in its throat, you fell into Tellson's down two steps, and came to your senses in a miserable little shop, with two counters, where the oldest of men made your cheque shake as if the wind rustled it, while they examined the signature by the dingiest of windows, which were always under a shower-bath of mud from Fleet-street..."

This section was published in August 1859.

Jimmy wrote: "Janine wrote: "...there is no definitive definition in the literary world for what a classic is...."

Good job too!! Takes all the fun out of discussing it if there was. Make up your own rules ..."

I still don't consider Moby-Dick a classic!

David wrote: "Oh boy, Dickens makes you work for his stories doesn't he? I have to say some of his descriptions are glorious. But some of his sentences are so convoluted you feel you need a translator!"

I don't always like to read Dickens because of his excessive wordiness. He got paid by the word, so he made sure he used a lot words!

I did enjoy his description of the spilled wine in the beginning of chapter 5. I could see the desperation of the people as they tried to get a special treat.

Since some of you are beginning to read Book 2, I will set up this now. I am organizing the threads based on the original publication months. This section was published in July 1859.

Melissa wrote: "I can't wait to get started on this, but it probably won't be till early next week."

No rush on reading. That's one reason I will have separate threads for the book. Everyone can read at their own pace and participate when they can.

I don't see any Anthony Trollope. The best books to start with are Barchester Towers or The Eustace Diamonds. Elizabeth Gaskell is another great author. Two of her books that I can recommend are North and South and Mary Barton.

Of course, the opening quote is one of the most famous opening lines of a novel. However, it seemed to be a play on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which has corresponding contrasts of events over time. I wonder if Dickens had those verses in the Bible in mind when he wrote those lines?

The third paragraph mentions a Mrs. Southcott who was actually a real person. She was an interesting character. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_S...

It is a relatively unknown classic and I think justifiably so. If you have read a lot of classics and want to try something a little off-beat, then it would be a great read. I can think of many books that are better, but many are worse. There are hints of the supernatural, but there are other ways to interpret the strange happenings. (I don't like to read books with a lot of supernatural happenings.) The heroine is passive and doesn't do enough to help herself. I kept on saying to her, "Get out now!" But she didn't listen!

Agree! This is my review:

I do not understand why this book is considered an American classic, unless it was so designated by an enemy of the USA who wants to make us look foolish. Melville is long-winded, wordy and pedantic. If he didn't try to overwhelm the reader with every piece of trivia he could find about whales, it might have been slightly better. Melville seems to be looking down upon the reader by using infinite references to obscure gods, goddesses, mythology and tidbits from around the world. The conversations, or soliloquies, were completely unnatural. Would you calmly deliver a five minute speech to yourself if your ship were sinking? Not only did Ahab do this, so did Starbucks and Stubbs! I never sympathized with any character in the book, but Starbucks and Moby Dick. I was glad that Ahab finally got what he deserved. It is too bad that Moby Dick had to suffer in the process. I do not recommend this book, unless as jailhouse torture.

This is where we will discuss Book 1.

Heather L wrote: "In other groups, we do not have separate threads for spoiler/non-spoiler, but..."

The problem is that most people forget! We'll see how it goes.

I've seen it done on other sites, but I am not sure how to do it. I'll ask around. I actually like having non-spoiler links when reading a long book.

I got to finish two books this upcoming week. However, everyone can start reading A Tale anytime. Do you want to have a general discussion or split the discussion into "non-spoiler" sections? For instance, we can discuss Book the One which is the first six chapters on one non-spoiler link and continue to divide the book up in separate sections. That way, each of us can participate at her own rate. I've seen it done both ways. However, I have never done a buddy read with just a few people. I'll do whatever method will be the best for all of us.

Mady wrote: "I have this on my Kindle and I've actually started it a couple of months ago, but I've got stuck :( Maybe I'll get some motivation to get back to it. I'm a non-native English speaker, and Dickens f..."

Many native-born English speaking people find Dickens hard to follow. I hope we can help you get through it. I read this book more than 30 years ago. It is one of the few Dickens' books I have enjoyed and have wanted to re-read.

Carrie wrote: "I just finished it this last week, but I would love to join in on your discussion. :)"

Sounds great.

I was going to start reading it on February 6. Would it be better to start reading at the beginning of the month? Please let me know what works for everyone.

I was just about to set this up when I saw you already did. Do you have the book? If so, what edition? I have a very old copy, but will try to get the same edition as you.