The 18th Century (Apr-Jun 2024)

[Em]

I'm reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - I doubt I'll have finished by the end of the month, I think I may have come to it a bit late but the main thing is I will enjoy it!

[Carol]

I am reading the The Memoirs and Anecdotes of the Comte de Segur. I don't know when it was published, but inside it someone has written Chewton Priory, 1929. I know it was published before 1923, but don't know the exact date. Segur was a Frenchman who lived in the 18th and 19th century.

[Liz, Moderator]

Em wrote: "I'm reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - I doubt I'll have finished by the end of the month, I think I may have come t..."

I enjoyed A Tale of Two Cities. The ending Is brilliant!

I'm on the French Revolution too, with The Scarlet Pimpernel. It's very jingoistic and gung-ho, and definitely of it's time....

[Leni]

Liz wrote: "I'm on the French Revolution too, with The Scarlet Pimpernel. It's very jingoistic and gung-ho, and definitely of it's time...."

I'm glad to finally find someone who shares my sentiments about The Scarlet Pimpernel! As a child I loved it, and the tv-miniseries. But I tried to read it again a couple of years back and just couldn't I was cringing and rolling my eyes too much.

Anyway, I have finally finished the 800+ page difficulties, persecutions and tribulations of the long nameless female Wanderer created by Fanny Burney. The Wanderer: or, Female Difficulties
I read it in 5 volumes. I loved the first 2. After that I started wishing that an editor has exercised some tough love. I think the book could have easily been 300 pages shorter, even allowing for how no one in that era seemed able to even order or offer a meal without carrying on for three full pages of polite speech and random digressions. I still think I'd like to read some of Burney's better known novels, as I did like this one even if it was a bit of a soap opera. (I'm not going to read them now, however. I'm going to read something more contemporary for a while!)

[Em]

Well, we knew it would take me a while but I've done it! Finished A Tale of Two Cities yesterday! Not my favourite ever Dickens but still, a very good story!

[Carol]

Dickens is always rather on the grim side for me, although I think he was a wonderful social reformer and had a sharp eye for people and the environment.
Have just read Schama's 'Citizens' a history of the French revolution. A very detailed, amusing and interesting chronological account of that turbulent era.Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution

[Liz, Moderator]

Em, I found 'A Tale of Two Cities' to start well, but have a rather slow middle... I forgave that, as the final act was excellent. Often I find it's the ending that lets a book down, but not in this case.

[Liz, Moderator]

Carol, 'Citizens' sounds interesting. Another one to add to the ever growing to read list!

[Carol]

Liz wrote: "Carol, 'Citizens' sounds interesting. Another one to add to the ever growing to read list!"
It was both amusing and insightful, which you don't often find in a historical non-fiction book. Schama said in the Preface that his teacher and friend, Jack Plumb, "taught him that to write history without the play of imagination is to dig in an intellectual graveyard."
This is very definitely what he did.

[Em]

Liz wrote: "Em, I found 'A Tale of Two Cities' to start well, but have a rather slow middle... I forgave that, as the final act was excellent. Often I find it's the ending that lets a book down, but not in thi..."

Yes, I think you're right - it captures you at the start then dips a bit but the ending is so exciting - being careful not to give away spoilers but I especially loved the stand-off between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge - suburb characters in my opinion.

[Liz, Moderator]

I loved that bit too. Great villain that Madame Defage (sp?) Now where's my knitting?.....

[Em]

I ought to know spelling as been reading for a good month or so but no, not entirely sure!

[Jane]

Defarge methinks. But it's been a while. I think I was eleven.....

[Liz, Moderator]

Yes, Defarge ;)

[Carol]

A very long time since I read it as well!

[Em]

I keep saying I'm going to read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - could now be the time?

[Bill]

I'm just starting The Dead Shall Not Rest by Tessa Harris, a Dr. Silkstone mystery, set in 1782.

[Carol]

Em wrote: "I keep saying I'm going to read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - could now be the time?"
A beautifully written book which I really enjoyed.

[Em]

Oooh and I just received an amazon token for Mother’s Day so can go ahead with that purchase of Outlander right now!

[Liz, Moderator]

I'm thinking of reading 'Sacred Hunger', by Barry Unsworth, but I might follow it with 'Outlander' too, if I have time ;)

[Carol]

I also really enjoyed I, Eliza Hamilton by Susan Scott Holloway. Fictional, but with good historical detail.

[Kate, Moderator]

I've picked up An Almond for a Parrot which is set in 1756. The back of the book really hooked me:
"Tully awaits trial, her life hanging in the balance. With the best seats already sold in anticipation of her execution, Tully's one chance of survival is to reveal her life story." Hope its as good as it promises to be.

(One quick question - isn't it 3 months per era? I think we should be April-June)

[Abigail]

During this time frame I hope to read the diaries and letters of Susan Burney (Fanny Burney’s sister) as well as my third biography of Fanny Burney, Frances Burney: The Life in the Works.

[Em]

Oh yes, should be June. I’ll edit it when I’m next on PC.

[Carol]

I received two very interesting books in the post yesterday via Amazon: Van Doren's 'Secret History of the American Revolution' and 'Alexander Hamilton; A Biography in his own words'. Have started to read both. Van Doren writes about the treason of Arnold and it was first published in 1941. The Hamilton book is somewhat later- published in 1973. Both are rather grubby- ex-library copies, but not that easy to obtain, so am very pleased with them.

[Kate, Moderator]

Well I've just finished An Almond for a Parrot but it wasn't what I was expecting. I thought I was going to get a historical mystery/thriller but it ended up being romance/erotic magical realism! Not what it said on the tin! :(

[Liz, Moderator]

I've entered the 18th Century with 'Sacred Hunger'. It won the Booker Prize in 1992, so expectations are raised...

[Liz, Moderator]

I'm about two thirds of the way through 'Sacred Hunger'. It is *really* good so far. The characters are so well drawn. You can smell the filth below decks. The story is compelling and the subject of slavery important. A book that makes you think and feel, and at the same time is not weighed down by worthiness. I am gripped.

Fingers crossed for a good satisfying ending...

[Bill]

Bill wrote: "I'm just starting The Dead Shall Not Rest by Tessa Harris, a Dr. Silkstone mystery, set in 1782."

An interesting 3-star read..

[Abigail]

Plowing my way through Margaret Doody's study of Fanny Burney's life and works, Frances Burney: The Life in the Works. It's a bit one-note (everything was Daddy's fault), but as I already suspected that much of her life was Daddy's fault I don't mind the reinforcement. Good thing this challenge goes over three months because I won't be finishing next week!

[Liz, Moderator]

I really enjoyed 'Sacred Hunger' , although it lost a little momentum just before the end, so didn't get the 5 stars I had been toying with.

I realise I have 'Golden Hill' sitting patiently on my bookshelves, so once I've finished my current read I will pick that one up...

[Liz, Moderator]

Forgot to say that I finished 'Golden Hill' last week. I really enjoyed it. The author really catches the era, both in the language he uses and the scenarios he describes. I felt I was reading a long lost novel of Henry Fielding!

[Kate, Moderator]

So here we are back in the 18th Century. What will you be reading this time?

I have a couple of books in mind.
The Book of Fires is set in 1752 and follows Agnes Trussel who works as an assistant to a firework maker. Seemed appropriate for the Autumn.
The Foundling by Stacey Halls and is set in 1754 As i enjoyed The Familiars for the 17th Century I thought this one by the same author might be good too.
The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazon This one is set in 1735 and is a true story set in South America (might be good for the Round the World challenge)

[Abigail]

My Jane Austen reading group has assigned Pamela by Samuel Richardson for our winter break.

[Bill]

I have a couple that might apply; Treasure Island, A Tale of Two Cities or the one I'm leaning to, Demelza by Winston Graham

[Abigail]

The Goodreads group The Readers Review has an upcoming group read of Humphry Clinker, which would fit as well.

[Kate, Moderator]

I've just finished my first book The Book of Fires which was a really good read. I gave it 4 stars. Its set in 1752 and follows Agnes who has run to London from rural Sussex and finds herself a position as assistant to a firework maker. Trouble is she's pregnant so she needs a plan. It ticked along nicely but I do think there were some missed opportunities e.g. a potential catalyst of a character was underused. If I'd written it I don't think I'd have given Agnes such an easy time!

[Abigail]

Managed to finish my first book for this challenge, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett. Sigh. Now I have to tackle Samuel Richardson’s Pamela.

[Liz, Moderator]

I still haven't chalked up a book for the 18th century, this time around. I still have 'Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire' waiting by my bedside, so hopefully I'll manage to complete it this month...

[Abigail]

Take heart, Liz! Although it does get into the weeds sometimes, “Georgiana” mostly reads pretty quickly.

[Abigail]

Sigh, starting on Pamela by Samuel Richardson, with what Margery Allingham once called a “deep feeling of no enthusiasm.”

[Liz, Moderator]

Good luck Abigail!

[Abigail]

Finished Pamela! Despite my distaste for the subject, I ended up respecting it. Completing my eighteenth-century reading, I am dipping into sections of Dr. Charles Burney: A Literary Biography.

[Kate, Moderator]

The 18th Century has rolled around again! So which book are you planning to read for the 1700s?

I've got The Foundling by Stacey Halls on my TBR. Its set in 1754. I enjoyed The Familiars by the same author so I have high hopes.
My second choice is The Silversmith's Wife which is set in 1792.

[Liz, Moderator]

I'm going to try to read two and they're both set in France (I often seem to end up there in the 18thC).

I noticed that I first mentioned reading Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by Michelle Moran back in 2014!! So that has to be done. And if I have time I'd like to tackle Dangerous Liaisons...

[Emma]

I loved the Foundling Kate, hope you do too :)

[Jess]

Liz wrote: "I'm going to try to read two and they're both set in France (I often seem to end up there in the 18thC).

I noticed that I first mentioned reading [book:Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revol..."

I read Dangerous Liaisons last year and I really enjoyed it. It is extremely readable for a book of it's time

[Liz, Moderator]

Thanks for the reassurance, Jess!

[Kate, Moderator]

How's everyone doing in the 18th Century?

I've just finished The Silversmith's Wife but if it wasn't for this challenge I'd have given up ages ago.
The silversmith is murdered in the early pages but I think the book suffered from not having a detective. It seemed to meander without any direction. Disappointing.

[Liz, Moderator]

I finished Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution, a very interesting story, but I felt the writing could have been better - despite all the period detail, I just didn't feel transported. Others have liked it more.

I still have Dangerous Liaisons to go...