Reading Schedule and Preliminary Remarks

[Tristram]

Dear Curiosities,

Before the old year has fully waned, I would like to present the reading schedule for our next big group read, which starts on 6 January. Here it is:

06/01 – 12/01 Book 1, Chapters 1-4

13/01 – 19/01 Book 1, Chapters 5-8

20/01 – 26/01 Book 1, Chapters 9-11

27/01 – 02/02 Book 1, Chapters 12-14

03/02 – 09/02 Book 1, Chapters 15-18

10/02 – 16/02 Book 1, Chapters 19-22

17/02 – 23/02 Book 1, Chapters 23-25

24/02 – 02/03 Book 1, Chapters 26-29

03/03 – 09/03 Book 1, Chapters 30-32

10/03 – 16/03 Book 1, Chapters 33-36

17/03 – 23/03 Book 2, Chapters 1-4

24/03 – 30/03 Book 2, Chapters 5-7

31/03 – 06/04 Book 2, Chapters 8-11

07/04 – 13/04 Book 2, Chapters 12-14

14/04 – 20/04 Book 2, Chapters 15-18

21/04 – 27/04 Book 2, Chapters 19-22

28/04 – 04/05 Book 2, Chapters 23-26

05/05 – 11/05 Book 2, Chapters 27-29

12/05 – 18/05 Book 2, Chapters 30-34

19/05 – 25/05 Reflections on the novel as a whole -


I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Julie]

Looking forward to this one especially, as it will be my last unread Dickens novel! (Unless you count the one he didn't finish.)

[Jessica]

Thanks Tristram. I"m looking forward to reading this, and hopefully I'll actually finish it (unlike my last two attempts).

[Avery]

I'm very much looking forward to this read through! It will be my second Dickens novel, after A Christmas Carol, and I'm prepared to read in time with the group this time!

[Sam]

I've been wanting to hop into a group Dickens read for a while. I'm catching up on the comments from the read of A Christmas Carol to get into the mood of things. This is one of the few Dickens I haven't read yet so pretty excited about a slow read. Cheers everyone. There's nothing like Dickens in the wintertime.

[Peter]

Sam

Welcome to the Curiosities. Perfect timing. We begin Little Dorrit in a few days. And yes, there is nothing like settling into Dickens as a slow group read.

[John]

I must admit feeling somewhat behind on my general reading these days, but I look forward to Little Dorrit, a book I have never read.

[Bobbie]

I am looking forward to Little Dorrit as well. It is one of the last three of the Dickens novels that I have yet to read.

[[deleted user]]

I have just started. As always it took a bit for me to get into this novel. I don't like Marseilles, at all. But oh those descriptions!

[John]

In some respects, I feel I have come close to full circle with this great group and our Mr. Dickens. When I joined, my first read was Our Mutual Friend.

[Gia]

Wow, John, that's great! As for me, this will be my second Dickens read (my first was Tale of Two Cities). I have some catching up to do! Not in the least bit of a hurry, though. Planning to savor the journey:)

[Julie]

Nice, John! By some freak chance, I joined in right before we started reading Pickwick Papers, so was able to begin at the beginning. Still very much enjoying the trip.

[Tristram]

Jessica wrote: "Thanks Tristram. I"m looking forward to reading this, and hopefully I'll actually finish it (unlike my last two attempts)."

Jessica, sometimes it can be helpful to read a book with a group of other readers, because questions that are being discussed can give you insight, or you simply notice that other readers find the same passages difficult that you yourself cannot really make head or tail of. Besides, we are reading at a pretty slow pace, so that you can always catch up with us in case you need some rest ;-)

[Tristram]

Julie wrote: "Looking forward to this one especially, as it will be my last unread Dickens novel! (Unless you count the one he didn't finish.)"

Here's hoping you'll remain on board, Julie, because Dickens can be read again and again ;-)

[Tristram]

Avery wrote: "I'm very much looking forward to this read through! It will be my second Dickens novel, after A Christmas Carol, and I'm prepared to read in time with the group this time!"

Avery,

Feel welcome to join us!

[Tristram]

Sam wrote: "I've been wanting to hop into a group Dickens read for a while. I'm catching up on the comments from the read of A Christmas Carol to get into the mood of things. This is one of the few Dickens I h..."

Sam,

Dickens is splendid in winter, excellent in spring, a special treat in summer and he also makes you weather-proof against the autumn rains ;-)

[Tristram]

John wrote: "I must admit feeling somewhat behind on my general reading these days, but I look forward to Little Dorrit, a book I have never read."

Wonderful to have you around again, John!

[Tristram]

Jantine wrote: "I have just started. As always it took a bit for me to get into this novel. I don't like Marseilles, at all. But oh those descriptions!"

Jantine,

The more often I read Little Dorrit the more it grows into one of my favourites - not least because of the descriptions of places.

[Tristram]

Bobbie wrote: "I am looking forward to Little Dorrit as well. It is one of the last three of the Dickens novels that I have yet to read."

It's nice to count you in for this read, Bobbie!

[Kate]

Hello Tristram and Peter

It's been a long time since I've been on the group or a read along chat for that matter, but I'm going to do my best to keep up with Little Dorrit. I miss the conversations I've had with you both, about Dickens.

[Mary Lou]

I love that so many people are joining in for Little Dorrit. It should make for some great discussions!

[Peter]

Kate wrote: "Hello Tristram and Peter

It's been a long time since I've been on the group or a read along chat for that matter, but I'm going to do my best to keep up with Little Dorrit. I miss the conversation..."

Kate, my friend

How good to hear from you again! I have missed you and your insights . At this time of year, here in Canada, I also miss warmth and the sun. How is it in Australia?

Perfect timing. We begin our look at Little Dorrit in a few days.

What larks, Kate.

[Tristram]

Hello Kate,

Welcome back to the Curiosities! And here's looking forward to your joining our merry discussions!

[Kate]

Happy New Year Peter

We're having a dry, warm spell here in Sydney at the moment. It's been wetter that usual, which I don't mind as long as it's not torrential. I would certainly enjoy a little snow though. I'm hoping I can get home for Christmas in 2022. I haven't had a northern winter in many years.

I look forward to reading and discussing Little Dorrit. It'll be like old times.

[Kate]

Thank you Tristram.

[John]

Interestingly enough, we are having a very warm spell here in coastal North Carolina. We could use rain, though. We have been so dry this fall.

[Karen]

Just downloaded 'Little Dorrit' into my kindle app, and I'm excited to get started : )

[Peter]

Karen wrote: "Just downloaded 'Little Dorrit' into my kindle app, and I'm excited to get started : )"

Hi Karen

Yes, the countdown is on. Please join us for our reading.

[[deleted user]]

I downloaded it into my old iPad and I am ready to get going

[David]

I fell behind with Bleak House I'm afraid but i got through in the end and really enjoyed it eventually. Ive watched Little Dorrit on television but never read it so I'm looking forward to this.

[Mary Lou]

I hope you found finishing "Bleak House" a worthwhile endeavor, David. It's always been my favorite. "Little Dorrit's" position changes from time to time, but it's always one of my top four. This will be my third time reading Dorrit, I believe.

[Peter]

David wrote: "I fell behind with Bleak House I'm afraid but i got through in the end and really enjoyed it eventually. Ive watched Little Dorrit on television but never read it so I'm looking forward to this."

David

No worries. Sometimes life gets in the way of reading. Fortunately, the book will always be waiting for you to return to it.

Little Dorrit is fascinating. Please join in our discussions.

[Peacejanz]

I am new to this. Where do we "discuss, question?" Do we stay on this site - so far there has been no issue to discuss or question to consider. Only people welcoming each other (and that is fine - people seem to know each other). Will people put their thoughts, insights, questions, concerns about Little Dorret or her father or whomever on this track? or is there some other place to log concerns? thanks peace, janz

[Mary Lou]

Hi, Peacejanz -

Our wonderful moderators, Peter, Kim, and Tristram, will open a new discussion here (under the "Little Dorrit" heading) for each week's segment, which they usually post on the weekend. So, sometime this weekend there should be a new thread for the first four chapters, which usually starts with a little summary, and maybe some observations and questions to get us going.

It's nice to have a separate thread for each weeks' segments so it's not necessary to scroll through hundreds of comments to try to find where we left off. And it also allows us to read at our own pace without having to worry too much about spoilers.

[Peacejanz]

Thanks. peace, janz