Our Dickens Champions Immaculate Conception Book Group have been getting into the Olympic spirit or as they call it: synchronised swimming with a nod to the Olympians!
The Preparation
Immaculate Conception Book Group (I.C.B.G.) Southampton Dickens Champions have been in training for the Olympic Games since March. Training has been tough. The first novel, Dombey and Son allowed the group to synchronise the reading around work and family life; training schedules were set up and the goal set. All successfully over the finishing line and thus demonstrating their stamina, the group celebrated with Dionysus, that good old Greek God of wine and Cheesius, that good old Greek God of cheese.
The Grind
The Old Curiosity Shop and team I.C.B.G. now confidently in the synchronised swing of reading and sharing, team talk is perhaps more critical of some of the Dickensian moves. Did we all like Little Nell? Should she be celebrated in the final routine? Hmm. Everyone’s a critic.
The Final Practice
All ‘Our Mutual Friends’ gather for a final practice. ‘_The pick of the bunch of the synchronised swimmers listen to the rest of team I.C.B.G. – the dietician’s mantra “More wine needed. Cheese. Cheese. You need to eat more Brie_”; the physiotherapist’s advice, “Hold on to a rail when you put your swimming costume on or you’ll fall over again”.
Final checks
Routine over and out of the pool, time for scrutiny and evaluation. Trish Boffin makes the presentation and team I.C.B.G. is ready to swim. Good luck!
Get involved
See more photos of Immaculate Conception Book Group getting into the Olympic spirit on our Facebook page.
Watch out for our Dickens Champions’ blog posts as they read and review their way through Dickens during 2012.
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.
