Episodes IX-X, Chapters 24-28

[Jonathan]

In which the illustrious gentleman gives superb marriage proposal advice to his new friend Magnus; he then crosses paths with the lady whose room he mistakenly entered; Miss Witherfield brings the matter to the magistrate; the illustrious fellow and his corpulent partner in crime are placed under arrest; after unknowingly cheering his master's arrest, Weller comes to the rescue; Pickwick and his co-defendant are set free thanks to exposing their Old Nemesis; Pickwick's humble servant is entertained by Nupkins' household staff; Jingle and Trotter are thrown out on their ears; Sam visits Mrs. Bardell only to find out that this is not such a frivolous lawsuit; Mr. Weller then sojourns to the Marquis of Granby and pays his respects to his mother-in-law, her deputy-shepherd, and Mr. Weller; in true Dickensian fashion the subject of Christmas is broached; the Club spends the holiday at Dingley Dell with their friends; they attend a grand wedding, in which the illustrious gentleman makes a grand toast; Sam tells a story about the man with the pig tail; Mr. Wardle sings a song aptly named A Christmas Carol; the episode ends with Mrs. Wardle introducing The Goblins Who Stole a Sexton, the next short story Dickens' interjects for our amusement.

Fellow Pickwickians, place your observations here:

[Jonathan]

That is a common complaint with this one. But, I am finding it an enriching and pleasant read. The vast array of different types of scenes is like an entourage of lessons of life as it were in the early Victorian Era. The number of sketches dispersed throughout make it like a collection of Dickens' short stories. Plus, the singular focus on a small group of characters and their exploits allows the reader to become thoroughly acquainted with them and all their quirks. What about the ongoing lawsuit between Mrs. Bardell and Mr. Pickwick, does not that hold your interest?

[Jonathan]

That's one thing I have noticed. This is not a bad book to leave on the coffee table and read at leisure as one would a book of short stories or poetry.

[Jonathan]

Did you say you have already read Oliver Twist?

[Tristram]

I think the lack of a cohesive plot is both due to the fact that Pickwick Papers was written in instalments and by a writer who, if at all, had just a very broad idea of where the wings of imagination would take him. Unlike his later novels, Dickens's first novels often were not very carefully planned in advance, but also changed with regard to the reading public's interest in the story. Take the sudden entrance of Sam Weller, for instance, which was a reaction of Dicken's to flagging sales.

Another reason for this lack of a cohesive plot may be that Dickens might have taken traditional novels as a model. Novels like Don Quixote, Tom Jones or Joseph Andrews are all more a series or loosely intertwined episodes linked by recurring characters. Nevertheless, I enjoyed them hugely, if even I was a bit disappointed to find the famous windmills scene a matter of - was it? - half a page.

By the way, I, too, can hardly wait for us to start with Oliver Twist.

[Jonathan]

At least, the allegations brought about by Mrs. Bardell have given the novel a major conflict. But, I see what you are saying about the serialization of the original text leaving an open ended plot. I kind of like it, because it is unique.

[Tristram]

Jonathan wrote: "At least, the allegations brought about by Mrs. Bardell have given the novel a major conflict. But, I see what you are saying about the serialization of the original text leaving an open ended plot..."

Pickwick Papers has long been my favourite Dickens novel, exactly because of its happy-go-lucky tone and loose structure. But that's probably because I also quite like the rambling tales of Henry Fielding and their wordiness. But once I read Bleak House I had another Dickens favourite, whose closest competitors are Our Mutual Friend, Great Expectations and Martin Chuzzlewit. Here Dickens is more sombre, but still full of wit and imagination.

[Jonathan]

Tristram wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "At least, the allegations brought about by Mrs. Bardell have given the novel a major conflict. But, I see what you are saying about the serialization of the original text leaving a..."

Tristram, I just finished the Pickwick Papers and it is now unquestionably my favorite Dickens. Prior to this it was a toss-up between Chuzzlewit and Great Expectations. This is the funniest book I have ever read and I was baffled by how the humor came across in black and white. I am also hearing that Bleak House is one of if not his absolute best; I haven't read that one yet, so I will wait and find out.

[Tristram]

Jonathan wrote: "Tristram wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "At least, the allegations brought about by Mrs. Bardell have given the novel a major conflict. But, I see what you are saying about the serialization of the origin..."

To be quite honest, I really feel tempted to take up Pickwick Papers and give it a go, but I would never be able to catch up with our schedule and then maybe would lag behind with Oliver Twist, too.

There are some really unforgettable scenes like Mr. Pickwick winding up the the girls' school, or his wheelbarrow ride - and an oddball like Peter Magnus already foreshadows Dickens's genius at creating memorable characters. Plus, some of the short stories provide a contrast to the overall cheerful and pleasant tone of the novel, and odd a darker note.

And then there is the "Ode to a dying frog", which is a brilliant example of bathos.

I can understand your enthusiasm about this book, but wait till you come to Bleak House, where you'll find another of Dickens's microcosms ;-)

But first of all, let's enjoy Oliver Twist!

[Jonathan]

Yeah, I am going to wait and read Bleak House with the group. Oliver Twist is a repeat for me, but I will most likely read it again, to be able to participate in the discussion. So far, O.T has been my least favorite Dickens. Maybe, I will get more out of it the second time around.

[Tristram]

As far as I'm concerned, any Dickens is a repeat for me, but at least I know I'm not wasting my time when I'm reading Dickens ;-)