14 people from Dickens Champions Belper Book Chat met recently to discuss our first Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop. The majority of the group felt positively about the book with a number of people enjoying the comedy of the writing and the characters. A few of us commented on the similarity of themes here with those of his other novels, giving centre stage to the blamelessness of childhood and poverty. One or two members found the excess wordiness lacking in interest and accessibility.
What we thought
If this was a soap opera, it would have been ‘Neighbours’ – whimsical, a bit obvious, but very entertaining. With the exception of Nell, the good eventually prosper and the bad get their just desserts.
I loved Quilp, fabulous! So nasty, but brilliant, brought the book alive for me. My first Dickens and enjoyed it more than expected.
Not much of a plot really – it’s not the destination, it’s the journey and the events and characters on the way.
The good, the bad and the ugly….
A ‘road movie’
Dickens was obsessed with the abuse of children: David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Pip and Estella et al. This novel is no exception as Nell wanders the streets, escorted but not looked after by her granddad.
Favourite character? My vote goes to Mr. Codlin – relies upon people laughing to earn his living, yet has to carry his work on his back.
I think his characters are so well defined and his dialogue was so pertinent. The characters came alive for me.
Couldn’t manage to force myself to read more than a quarter – no bit really gained my interest to make me want to read on.
Nell is the ‘moral lodestone’ of the story
Some wonderful, inspired writing but also some interminably tedious windbaggery. A few enjoyable comic characters and a bland saintly Little Nell – one of his familiar female characters.
Really enjoyed it except for the dip in the beginning of the 2nd half about gardening on graves. Horrifying images of city industry. Humanity is celebrated in a very good satire. Beware selfish brothers trying to marry off their sisters (see also ‘Hard Times’).
I was drawn in by the language used to describe the scenery; I loved the imagery created particularly by the countryside.
The formula: one or more orphans; an inheritance or prospect of one; duplicitous lawyers; a quest for a better life; the moral poor; many human frailties. Mix up and bake for at least 700 pages.
Reading our next Dickens: Little Dorritt
During the discussion we hit on a proposal to tackle our next Dickens, Little Dorrit in the episodic way it appeared to his readers as it was first published. One of us has researched where the breaks were and we will give on-going comments/thoughts on each episode. Hopefully this will give an authentic reading experience for those daunted by the 700+ pages.
Our Dickens Champions
Watch out for our Dickens Champions’ blog posts as they read their way through Dickens during 2012.
Read Dickens Readng Group, Manchester’s thoughts on David Copperfield.
Reading Dickens in your reading group or book club? Get in touch or post a comment to let us know how you’re getting on.
