Nicholas Nickleby: Intro comments and Chapters 1 - 10

[Peacejanz]

Werner wrote: "Sara wrote: "Oh, Janz, I feel for you...but, buy the new book in larger print and keep the old one for sentiment and reference. Life is short and eyes are precious. Be safe!"

Janz, I echo what Sar..."

Thank you to both of you - after we finish the read, maybe I will get up the strength (emotional) to give the old one to thrift - so someone with good eyes can use it. Why am I so bothered by minor stuff? Thanks for both of you for supporting me. New book coming. peace, janz

[Sue]

Janz, I think many of us become attached to items like books that have sentimental value. I know that I do. I understand some of how you feel if not all. I have things that I should let go of, not necessarily books, though some are, but I have a hard time doing so.

[Peacejanz]

Thank you - I am working on this. I hate to be controlled by things but I am.

[Jenny]

Janz- do you have a friend or family member who might like NN as well? Then, you get the best of both worlds- someone gets use of it and you know where it would be- plus, they could read your notes and discuss with you!

[Peacejanz]

I may try this with a friend or neighbor. Good idea - I read a few pages last night with my thing that looks like a piece of plastic but really magnifies. Hard to hold the pages that are falling out. I have ordered a better copy but also have one on hold at the local library. I can cancel my order with local bookstore if the library copy is large enough. Life gets harder when you get old and things like eyesight and books wear out. Thanks for the neighbor idea. peace, janz

[Jenny]

You're welcome! I completly understand the eyesight- my dad is legally blind, and the page magnifier is not enough for him unfortunately

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Janz - I feel for you too, and everyone here has good tips. Like you, I hang on to a few books precious to me that I can no longer read.

For the variety of editions, I ordered a few, to pass on the information, but my library has the brilliant idea of giving me the first copy of a title to hand, because "we thought you would want it quickly"! 😡 This drives me bananas when I have carefully nailed and reserved the one Large Print copy of something in their catalogue, or one with a different intro etc.

As I look now, all my carefully placed reservations have disappeared except one - which has a longer title - because they rightly think I have got one out already! But then it is a public library and they do their best ... I'm just out of step with their readership.

However, please read this post LINK HERE and use the link within it to read it on Gutenberg - since you are using a device now presumably you can also use it to read one chapter, now and then? And you can enlarge it as you like.

We begin chapter 1 exactly one week today! Everyone will get the most out of our read if you do not read ahead. Please do read the first few comments in this thread though. Thanks! We're delighted to have you with us 😊

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Stephen - I'm really pleased that you will be able to join us again! Welcome 😊

Kelly - Great to have you along, and this is a perfect one to start reading our unique way! Lots of people start out thinking, "oh can I really read like this?" And some find that actually they want to slow down as we go - and may even fall behind in longer chapters LOL! The pace generally seems about right, with built in breaks (though we can always tweak it) and as I said earlier, it's six times as fast as the original readers read it! 😮 I do hope you find you enjoy this way, and all the discussions, as much as we all do 😊

Sue - I can't believe it's just a week either, and am attempting to quell my instinct to switch into panic mode 😂

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

So today everyone got their official notification (and I can't run away off to the South of France 😂😂) so WELCOME to those who are suddenly in the know. Please read the first few comments, which may fill you in a bit, and let us know if you are joining us!

[Dee]

I am happy to be joining for this reading. I am limited to audio books, but Audible (in U.S.)has 14 unabridged readings of NN available. Yesterday, I spent time choosing the right narrator for me. I've learned to listen to the samples and also to read the reviews left by listeners. Alex Jennings is one of my favorites, but comments were left about the lack of correct chapter divisions in the (Audible Studio production). A few others do not include Dickens' preface, including the reading done by Simon Vance. I received a pleasant surprise to find "Nicholas Nickleby: Dickens on Dickens"read by Gerald Dickens, the great-great grandson of the writer, and I almost chose it for that very reason. I decided to play it safe with a familiar reader, David Horovitch (NAXOS), but B.J. Harrison is excellent as well. (Classic Tales Edition) Perhaps this may help others who like to listen as they read the book.

[Peacejanz]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Janz - I feel for you too, and everyone here has good tips. Like you, I hang on to a few books precious to me that I can no longer read.

For the variety of editions, I ordered a few, to pass on t..."

Oh, my goodness - thank you so much for the reminder about Gutenburg. I used to use it but have sort of gotten out of the habit. I will check them immediately. I know they will have it -- just need to get the type large enough. Can't believe I forgot them and I even give them money every time they remind me. Thanks a bunch. peace, janz

[Beth]

I'll join in! Something always seems to come up to thwart my ambitions to keep up with the reading, but I'll do my best. :)

I'm quite fond of the Oxford World's Classics editions I've read so far. They seem to go out of their way to pay attention to lesser-known works (at least for us here in the US), the footnotes are very helpful, and the other supplementary material does a good job keeping that very delicate balance between easily accessible and in-depth or scholarly.

[Claudia]

I agree with you Beth, they usually provide much explanatory background material!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Welcome Beth! I was really hoping you would join us again! (And Claudia too of course ... I knew you were in 😊)

Do please read the introductory notes at the beginning of this thread (if you haven't already). Comment 6 recommends the best editions and Oxford World's Classics is up there at the top, (with its ISBN for those who have not yet got their copy). I recommend that because of the intro by the Dickens scholar Paul Schlicke author of several books on Dickens, and who edited the excellent The Oxford Companion to Charles Dickens. As you say, his writing is very lucid, unlike the Dickens scholar I was ploughing through this morning, whose writing was unnecessarily congested 🙄

But please beware of spoilers with notes, everyone! As many know, most of the notes will be covered here.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Dee - thank you for your very helpful comment about the audio editions. Are you entitled to free audio books? If you are registered visually impaired you should be, and (at least here) they will post books to you in various formats (I use DAISY discs but they can send it on a USB stick either.)

The edition they offer here is read by George Hagan, an established voice actor. Different countries sometimes have arrangements to share these books, so I find a friend in Sweden - Chrissie if anyone remembers her - tends to be sent the same editions from her blind society as I do!

Also, your local public library may provide access for their visually impaired readers. Mine used to send me me audio books using Royal Mail, but switched to personal delivery by volunteers when the prices shot up. I stopped using that service then, as others were more in need.

Just a couple of ideas if you don't like the editions you have ordered.

Re. Dickens' preface - As I said at the beginning, I usually advise against reading these first, as some do contain spoilers. In this case, it is well worth reading and very funny - in a ghastly way. I would recommend everyone to read it - but after chapter 4 would be best. You will still get a couple of future characters mentioned, but not in a spoilerish way.

[Claudia]

I have been very discreet lately as I am busy right now with Mssr Rokesmith and the Golden Dustman (apart from the usual and some unusual life duties, which indeed seem to try and thwart our ambitions), in order to be keeping my mind freer for the upcoming read!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Janz - great! Yes, the Gutenberg edition is fine, (that's the one I use for quotations) and you should be able to enlarge it to the size you find most comfortable to read on your device.

Also ... take a look at what I wrote to Dee in the previous comment, as it might be helpful for you too 😊

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Claudia - I love Noddy, the golden dustman 😁 😆 (in my top Dickens!)

[Katy]

Claudia, that one is one of my Dickens favorites also. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I did.

[Beth]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Do please read the introductory notes at the beginning of this thread (if you haven't already). Comment 6 recommends the best editions and Oxford World's Classics is up there at the top"

I made the comment about the OWC line because I saw their edition in those introductory posts. :) I should have made it clear I was responding to that.

I will be listening to the audible production of the book (narrated by Alex Jennings)* and track down the OWC edition in paper, in case there are parts that are confusing or unclear to me.

* I read both Bleak House and Oliver Twist that way, too. Dickens' writing is a great match for audio format. I remember from previous reads here that his books were often read aloud while they were in serialization, either in a home or public setting. I'm carrying on a tradition, sort of. :)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Yes indeed, families used to read it aloud to each other - or pay a penny for someone to read to them - or act it out in the streets as well as the many dramatisations of Nicholas Nickleby which were ongoing as the serial proceeded. I think it might have been G.K. Chesterton who said that people had been so enthralled by the adventures in The Pickwick Papers that Charles Dickens's characters felt like their "real life", and in between the everyday boring events in their own lives were spent waiting for the next installment. Rather like the ultimate soap opera ... but I can't find the reference - sorry! You are definitely carrying on the tradition this way, Beth.

I personally feel the early novels do read aloud better than the middle ones, and Martin Jarvis captures the droll humour (though it's not at all my favourite way of reading Dickens.) Dee also mentioned Alex Jennings as being good.

Oh good, thanks Beth 😊 Yes, if anyone finds a good paper edition not in the short list, I'll happily add it. Ditto dramatisations. I'm currently half way through the 1977 one with Nigel Havers - and had forgotten how good it was! My husband Chris is so taken up with it that he suggested we watch a whole episode today rather than just a half (yes!! Another convert 😂) When you have 6 hours to spend on a dramatisation you can include so much more! 😁

[Lois]

I'm going to try to join in. I haven't done a group read before--mostly because I like to read one book at a time, to completely focus, and can't quite imagine just reading one over 3 months! But I read this one about 25 years ago, so it's time. I just realized I don't have it listed as already read, in my Goodreads stats, so I should fix that, as this will be a reread.
Anyway, I'll give it a shot. And thanks, Jean, for your detailed info all the time. I honestly don't know how you do it!

[Lee]

Claudia wrote: "I have been very discreet lately as I am busy right now with Mssr Rokesmith and the Golden Dustman (apart from the usual and some unusual life duties, which indeed seem to try and thwart our ambiti..."
Oh, I do hope we see you here, Claudia. You always have such penetrating insights!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Lois! Welcome - it's marvellous that you're in for our Big Read this time 😊 I know how much you love Dickens, and have joined in now and then with several of our reads. I do understand about reading one book at a time. That's my natural way too - until Goodreads! And in fact during our Big Read I rarely have time for anything not related. I think many people do though. But then the chapters vary in length, and I expect there will be lots of comments. Just see how it goes?

One idea for everyone, if you want to stay focused, is to read our side read of Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World by Simon Callow. It's very good- entertaining and insightful - and will enrich your reading. Worth bearing in mind 😊

It tickles me Lois that you have your profile photo by the railings in front of Dickens' house while he was writing Nicholas Nickleby - in Doughty St., (as I did until recently) - and mine is in his garden at the back, next to the variety of rose named after him. I wonder how many of our friends have trodden the same path over time ...) 🥰

[Lee]

Lois wrote: "I'm going to try to join in. I haven't done a group read before--mostly because I like to read one book at a time, to completely focus, and can't quite imagine just reading one over 3 months! But I..."
Hello, Lois. I smiled when you mentioned you like to "completely focus" when you read. If you indeed follow along with us daily and join in with comments, you will focus as you never have before! I don't even plan vacations during Jean's group reads in Dickensians!

[Beth]

The "one chapter per day, with several breaks" format for the major reads took some getting used to at first, but I have come to like it. We took Tristram Shandy very slowly, as few as six pages a day with a break in between each Part, and it was a very satisfying and in-depth read, especially with all the effort Erich put into choosing commentary.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

It was amazing Beth! And I know that Erich spent many months preparing for it 👏🎓

Nicholas Nickleby will also be a romp of a read, but not nearly as complicated!

[Lois]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Lois! Welcome - it's marvellous that you're in for our Big Read this time 😊 I know how much you love Dickens, and have joined in now and then with several of our reads. I do understand about readin..."
Hi Jean and thanks! Yes, I'll give it a try. I might have to take short breaks during the read, cuz I have a book or two coming from my library soon, but then I can catch up again. I agree about Simon Callow's book, it's a good one. And I keep wanting to change my photo, but I do love seeing the front of the Dickens museum and remembering my times there, so I just haven't. Anyway, see you soon with Nickleby!

[Lois]

Lee wrote: "Lois wrote: "I'm going to try to join in. I haven't done a group read before--mostly because I like to read one book at a time, to completely focus, and can't quite imagine just reading one over 3 ..."

Hi Lee--Yes, I can just imagine going on vacation while trying to keep up with a group read! I think it will take some getting used to as it is, but it should be fun to try. I'm hoping I love it so that I get into more of the group reads in future. We'll see!

[Kelly]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Stephen - I'm really pleased that you will be able to join us again! Welcome 😊

Kelly - Great to have you along, and this is a perfect one to start reading our unique way! Lots of people start out ..."

I feel like I will really end up enjoying this way of reading, although it will be tempting, I'm sure, to read ahead at times. My book is due to arrive soon so I will be all set!

[Lee]

Kelly wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "Stephen - I'm really pleased that you will be able to join us again! Welcome 😊

Kelly - Great to have you along, and this is a perfect one to start reading our unique way! Lots ..."

Hi, Kelly! I put a bookmark or a sticky note at the stopping point. That's also when I step back, make my own notes on the chapter I just read, and then start looking at the comments as they come in.

HINT: Be sure you have notifications enabled on Dickensians so the comments will pop up on your screen and you won't miss any. Just a suggestion! ; )

[Kelly]

Lee wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "Stephen - I'm really pleased that you will be able to join us again! Welcome 😊

Kelly - Great to have you along, and this is a perfect one to start reading our uni..."

Great tips, Lee, thank you!

[Bridget]

I'm really looking forward to the start of another Dickens read with this group! I love reading one chapter a day. I know it's not for everyone, but for me it allows me to read another book while slowly devouring Dickens. And truly, it's this wonderful group, and the lively comments that are the best!

[Paul]

Bridget wrote: " I know it's not for everyone, but for me it allows me to read another book while slowly devouring Dickens."

Same here. Reading it like this and knowing that I can read something else (something lighter? something MUCH shorter?) at the same time is a good way to remove the intimidating factor from Dickens' typical length and his complex writing style.

[Jeannine]

I plan to join in! I also enjoyed reading Oliver Twist and am curious about this novel!

[Kathleen]

What I love about these Dickensian reads is the full-immersion. With all the background and analysis Jean provides, and diverse input from all the readers, I find that I remember the novels we've read here in much more detail than my other reading.

I'm getting excited to start Nicholas!

[Kelly]

Bridget wrote: "I'm really looking forward to the start of another Dickens read with this group! I love reading one chapter a day. I know it's not for everyone, but for me it allows me to read another book while s..."

This makes me look forward to this even more. :-)

[Claudia]

Katy wrote: "Claudia, that one is one of my Dickens favorites also. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I did."
Hi Katy, I have just finished! After a slow read because of life usual and unusual duties, it turned to binge reading so that I am now in a better position to begin Nicholas Nickleby

I really enjoyed reading Our Mutual Friend. It was so well done, at times so emotional and at other times so funny! Plot wise it is a success. I can rank it with my Dickens favourites too!

[Claudia]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Claudia - I love Noddy, the golden dustman 😁 😆 (in my top Dickens!)"

I had a doubt, Jean, but now I understand why you love Noddy.

[Claudia]

Lee wrote: "Claudia wrote: "I have been very discreet lately as I am busy right now with Mssr Rokesmith and the Golden Dustman (apart from the usual and some unusual life duties, which indeed seem to try and t..."

Well well Lee, I will do my best!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Claudia - Ah I completely understand what you mean about Noddy!

Welcome to the read Bridget, Paul, Jeannine and Kathleen, and thank you for your lovely comments. It is fantastic to see friends both old and new here. We are now up to 49 people in, so can we make it 50? If you know someone who loves Dickens, then do tell them!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I've managed to locate a couple more editions, so have updated the comment here LINK HERE with a few notes. If you are still wondering which edition, or are not happy with yours, maybe see if there's anything useful there? I've added the correct cover pics, but they are a bit big (sorry!) as I had to do it a different way. There are 1575 entries for different editions on GR! 🙄

[Brenda]

I’m on board. I’ll be listening (David Horovitch is the reader). Just in time for Victober!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

That's brilliant, Brenda! You've taken us up to the golden number 50! 🎉✨

[Sam]

I finally decided on the Naxos audio narrated by David Horovitch with the Penguin Classic edition for text after Kathleen mentioned Vance did not meet her standards for this. I tend to listen to audio at double speed and the Horovitch narration seemed best suited for this.

[Kelly]

My copy came in from Thriftbooks! Hurrah! It's a little worse for wear but I somewhat like that.

[Ruth]

I plan on joining! This will be fun. It’ll be interesting to compare to David Copperfield and Great Expectations.

[Sue]

I’m e added NN back to the library page of my kindle so it’s out of the cloud and ready to go. Mine is Vintage Classics edition.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Sam - Several people seem to be going with that one - brilliant! There are certainly plenty of passages in this most theatrical novel which will come over well on audio with a good narrator.

Kelly - I know exactly what you mean about well-worn copies of Dickens. It makes me a little sad that the various editions I have requested from my library up the road by interlibrary loan (so that I can pass on tips here) all seem to be in pristine condition 😟

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Welcome Ruth! I'm so pleased you will be joining us, and think you will love it! I know you've been with us a while, but do introduce yourself in the welcome thread if you like, LINK HERE so we can get to know you. (That goes for all our new commenters of course! 😊)

Great, Sue - Looking at that one it's a reasonable print size (for normal print) and has all the illustrations by Phiz too, so if I miss any out you can tell me! 😁