"That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.”
Pip
I love to read Charles Dickens. He’s not exactly an easy read - his books are usually very lengthy works and there is a different rhythm to reading them… You don’t finish a Dickens novel in a night or even two nights and you need a fully engaged mind. They are made to settle into - to invest in with your time and attention — but they are so worth it with their rich, colorful characters and memorable storylines.
."... everybody for miles around, had heard of Miss Havisham up town—as an immensely rich and grim old lady who lived in a large and dismal house barricaded against robbers, and who led a life of seclusion.”
Pip
Charles Dickens was an incredible creative force during his lifetime. He wrote 15 novels, 5 novellas and hundreds of short stories and non-fictional articles. He gave lectures, was a prolific letter writer and edited a weekly journal for almost 20 years.
Because of personal experiences in his early life, Dickens was also a dedicated campaigner for children’s rights, education, and social reforms — including his stance as an outspoken proponent for copyright law and the protection of intellectual property.
But above all Charles Dickens was most celebrated and beloved for his pioneering of the narrative serial novel. Not only did he capture the imagination of millions during his writing career, but he also had an intense gift for a deep portrayal of a time period and a way of life in the world in which he lived.
Born Charles John Huffam Dickens at No. 1 Mile End Terrace, Landport, Portsmouth, England in February of 1812, Dickens was the 2nd of 8 children born to John and Elizabeth Barrow Dickens. John Dickens was ultimately incapable of supporting his large family, forcing Charles to begin work at 12 years old at Warren’s Blacking Factory after his father’s poor head for finances led to his imprisonment for debt in the Marshalsea Prison. These early formative years became a taboo topic for discussion with Charles Dickens but found wonderfully creative expression in each of his literary works.
“We spent as much money as we could, and got as little for it as people made up their minds to give us. We were always more or less miserable…”
Pip
Our current read - Great Expectations - is Dickens’ 13th novel and the second to be told in the first person - the first being David Copperfield. It was originally published in his weekly periodical All The Year Round from December 1, 1860 to August of 1861. It was then published in October of 1861 in 3 volumes with the publisher Chapman and Hall.
In Great Expectations we follow the story of an orphan nicknamed Pip and walk with him through all of the character-forming experiences that lead him into adulthood and ultimately determine the course of his life as he seeks to discover his own identity and place in his world. Dickens’ heart for the plight of children is front and center in this work - and the characters are all strong and memorable; Joe Gargery, Abel Magwitch, Miss Havisham, Estella…
"I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”
Pip
We will all be able to share our thoughts and ideas as we meet for a Summer Book Breakfast Buffet at 10am on Saturday, July 29th, 2023 to discuss Charles Dickens’ work, Great Expectations. There is plenty of time to read this one but you may want to get started soon - it is worth the effort!
"I never had one hour's happiness in her society, and yet my mind all round the four-and-twenty hours was harping on the happiness of having her with me unto death.”
Pip
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