Our Autumn Group read - Prequels, Sequels and Familiar Characters

[Judy]

I've started Havisham by Ronald Frame, a prequel to Great Expectations, which had been waiting on my Kindle for several years. I'm enjoying it so far (16% in) and liking the writing style - it's the sort of book where I keep wanting to read just one more chapter. It doesn't feel like Dickens, which I wouldn't expect, but so far is very good in its own right.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Oh good! That what I hope for in a spin-off read :) Thanks Judy!

[Judy]

I'm about halfway through Havisham now - still enjoying it and finding it very readable, although so far I feel it hasn't had all that much to do with Great Expectations. Miss Havisham and Compeyson are given the first names Catherine and Charles.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

This reminds me of the young Miss Havisham in the TV series "Dickensian".

[Judy]

That's interesting, Jean - I only watched a little of Dickensian, but should maybe try it again. I'm not enjoying Havisham so much as I get into the second half, as it seems to be more on one note at the moment, of obsessive love.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Oh ... I hope it picks up again!

[Judy]

I've read 80% of Havisham now and would have to say I'm disappointed. I feel it has fallen off a lot since the halfway mark, and it is now largely recounting events which are told much better in Great Expectations. Oh well.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Oh dear, that's two disappointments!

Is anyone enjoying the book they chose? (I know Diane did :) ) Can you tell us about it?

The other thing I'm wondering is whether we subconsciously compare it with the original! Perhaps we can't help but do so :/

[Judy]

I've finished Havisham now and thought the later sections were awful, so I wouldn't recommend it overall. I've written a review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I think you may be right that we compare with the original even if we try not to.

[Sue]

I’m hoping to begin Mister Pip tonight, Jean. My reading has been more sporadic than usual in the past few months. I do want to get a taste of it.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Oh I enjoyed that one - but did find it harrowing. I'll be interested to see what you think Sue!

[Sue]

I’ve just begun Jean, and I do like the beginning.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

We have just a few days left on this, so I'm not sure I will finish in time, but I've started a second: Dodger by Terry Pratchett.

So far I'm enjoying it a lot. Each chapter has a title - which as I remember is quite unusual for Terry Pratchett. He doesn't always break up the narrative into chapters - let alone have a little Dickens-type synopsis of what follows.

The "Dodger" of the title is a bit like a cross between Jo in Bleak House and the "Artful Dodger" in Oliver Twist. He's more like the latter - but has Jo's pathos. It's a vast improvement on the dreary The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl :(

I'd love to hear more about others' reads :)

[Connie]

I've got Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver on my Christmas list. If Santa is good to me, I'll be reading it in January ;-)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I've heard so many good things about Demon Copperhead - people are saying it should win awards - though the word "brutal" keeps coming up, which worries me a bit! So far the kindle edition is almost £10 here, so I'll have to wait for that to come down.

I do hope someone comments about it on this thread - and look forward to your thoughts, Connie :)

[Sue]

I probably won’t finish on time. My reading has been all over the place recently. But I do like Mister Pip and I will post here when I do finish.

I have got the kindle copy of Demon Copperhead now and will be reading it for another GR group at some point early in 2023. Looking forward to it. I read the first few pages of the sample and was sold. Just captured by the rhythm of the prose and story.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

The timing doesn't really matter, as we've all chosen different books! It's just to make sure plenty are ready for Kathleen's lead of What Christmas Is As We Grow Older :)

Come to think of it, it be might be nice if we think of adding to this thread at any future time, when we read one of the books. Or add to the list too!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

What Christmas Is As We Grow Older begins today, so this is moving to the "Side Reads" folder. Please feel free to add your further thoughts though :)