Introducing The Pickwick Papers | Mega Dickens Readalong

[@londonlemons]

The Pickwick Papers is one of my absolute favorite books, it’s been such a joy to pick it up again! I’m so excited for this read along and to hear about everyone’s thoughts as the read along progresses. Mr. Winkle is one of my favorite characters, the scrapes he gets in makes me laugh out loud 😭

[@katiejlumsden]

I love Mr Winkle too. He's probably my favourite character in the novel except for Sam Weller.

[@imin2905]

Best comedy 🤣 I have read.

[@genevachillsout1224]

Love how you described how reading the Pickwick Papers is like reading a TV series - spot on.

[@lw3646]

The Pickwick Papers is one of the most delightful books I've read. The plot is very loose and relaxed like a series of separate adventures. It feels like a celebration of country life with the festivities and fun which happen on Christmas Eve in the country Manor for instance. Mr Pickwick and Sam Weller are so loveable and even the villain is more of a nusiance and a rascal, not the odious sort we meet in the Old Curosity Shop or Nicholas Nickleby. It's so different to the setting of urban poverty and strife in a lot of his later books too. You can still find traces of an older way of life in the book, when people still fought duels, long distance travel was only by stagecoach and society was more rural still than urban. Its a very nostalgic view, I read Dickens had happy memories of a childhood in Kent but bad memories of what followed in London. The women in the book are mostly there to just shriek though and react hysterically, it's a little bit of a cruel portrayal making them so foolish. The female characters get stronger though as his writing progressed, you start off with very sweet and innocent heroines like Arrabella Allen, Kate Nickleby, Little Nell, Florence Dombey or Agnes Wickfield V Estelle or Bella Wilfer later on who are more independent and outspoken. He definitely matured as a writer anyway and his view of human nature became a bit more complex and doubtful. I like the Sam Weller character though partly because he's a working class character who is shown as being very capable and sharp witted, you are laughing with him not at him whatever Orwell says.

[@melaniebonello3798]

I am so excited about this Mega Dickens Readalong. It has been a goal of mine for years to read all of Dickens' novels. I look forward to reading through all of novels in the order of publication and with all of you! I love your insights and enthusiasm, Katie.

[@weaverinahollygarden109]

I am really enjoying re reading The Pickwick papers. The way you described it as a tv series rather than a movie is so right, that is just what it's like. Thank you again for taking the time to put all this together. You are amazing. xx

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks :)

[@ArtBookshelfOdyssey]

I started Pickwick Papers a few days ago - it's like spending time with an old friend. This will be the third or fourth time I read it!

[@maryh4650]

I so wish my Great Aunt was still alive, she would have SO LOVED this project..

[@elliewilson4868]

This will be my first read along! Can’t wait, will be starting this weekend!

[@penelopegough6050]

Yes I am taking part. I read the Pickwick Papers for Victober last year so will probably listen to it this time. I have the audible recording and the reader is excellent. Thanks Katie.

[@GilbertHorn1]

Long live the Pickwickians!

[@wildflower2344]

This is my first time reading The Pickwick Papers, and I'm loving it! Thanks for hosting this Mega Readalong, Katie.

[@stressedoutofexistence663]

oh wow, that's quite a bold Read-Along!

[@katiejlumsden]

Haha yes it is . . .

[@launchedathousand]

Oooh excited for the discord server! I haven't read Pickwick Papers yet but this summary makes me excited to get to it!

[@jangold6787]

I just started The Pickwick Papers this morning. It looks like it will be a fun read. One of the things I love most about Dickens is his characters. This is my first read and I'm excited to start and to be part of the RAL. Will be taking it slow as first so I can find time for the other books I'm reading for Victober.

[@katiejlumsden]

Agreed - his characters are just wonderful.

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

I've never read Dickens in my life but I'm very intrigued my him since I've discovered your channel a couple of years ago. I'll be joining the "lite" version of the readalong you've suggested on your announcement video, I've already bought physical copies of all the books included in that mini list 😁. However.... I'm thinking now if I should not skip this one 🤔 That's the thing with your videos, you make everything look so great to read 😅. Thank you for that!

[@katiejlumsden]

Haha - well, I love Pickwick a lot. The main reason I didn't include it in the 'lite' version is because I don't think the episodic thing would be for everyone. If you think you'd enjoy that, maybe give it a go :)

[@FreyofKtau]

Reading it rn after reading it in german, which is my native language years ago. I struggle a little bit with the vocabulary, i guess because its somewhat old fashioned by now. But my own vocabulary already has grown because of this and thats also a reason why i read books in english anyway. :D I really enjoy the book itself. Apart from the vocabulary its not really hard to follow and i found myself laughing so often. Its the equivalent of a modern day sitcom where you watch one or two eposodes a day. I can imagine the whole family coming together at the fireplace and listen to it and all had a good laugh :3

[@janetcampbell4124]

I will be joining in for the whole Mega Dickens Readalong. Started Pickwick Papers at the weekend, and I'm really enjoying it.

[@DustyBookSniffers]

Oh, l love the Pickwick Papers, so many laugh-out moments....and the name Snodgrass is brilliant 🤣🤣 You will love the Audiobook; that is the one I listened to. He is a brilliant narrator 😊

[@HamsavahiniVajraasthra]

Hello Katie😁!Very happy to join you & others for the Mega Dickens Readalong and quite excited to start off with the Pickwick Papers!!!🥰

[@RaineyDayReads]

I’m really enjoying Pickwick Papers so far! It took a minute to wrap my head around the style but now that I have I love it!

[@sleepisfortheme3845]

I get so happy every time you post! I'm so excited to start this readalong!

[@keddw]

Hello Yes, I'm in-at least for the Pickwick Papers part- I'll review the situation, as far as the whole Dickens library, as I go along. Thanks for setting this up and I always appreciate your enthusiasm

[@sararichards518]

Ive just started my reading! I never read all of Pickwick and i dont know why. The first chapter had me laughing as i read. I know i will try and keep up with your project and read all the novels. If i miss a couple i will still be there for a subsequent month. Thanks for doing this. I am half way through my second Thomas Hardy novel and there are many more goodies waiting. Love Victober. Thank you for your enthusiasm and for sharing your knowledge.

[@stevencarsley2446]

Hello Another great video

[@angelatuson972]

Yes! I want to read the Pickwick Papers. Katy have you seen the lovely 80’s BBC tv Pickwick?

[@keeley_reads]

YES so excited to join

[@catherineessery9395]

Hello Katie - I’ve downloaded The Pickwick Papers on Audible and am so looking forward to joining in the Mega Readalong! Thanks for the opportunity C x

[@elizabethbrink3761]

I've never read The Pickwick Papers, and I'm so enjoying it! I'm planning to join the Mega Dickens Readalong with a couple exceptions. Can't wait!

[@jf8559]

Absolutely will be joining in Katie! How wonderful!

[@bloodbucket7171]

Finished today 🙌

[@bookingthroughlife]

Hi Katie! I am so excited to partake in the Mega Dickens read along. My experience with Dickens is more through film adaptations than his books so it will be a joy to read it with someone who is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I started the audio book 2 days ago and so far it is a hoot!

[@BlatantlyBookish]

Yay! I'm so excited for the Mega Dickens Readalong! I just joined the Discord server and oh boy do I need a discord tutorial lol. This should all be a fun adventure! ❤

[@jelenatanic8741]

I like to read book Qwo vadis, Gone with the wind, Red and Black,and I like writer Branko Ćopić and his novels and Ivo Andrić.

[@MartinDSmith]

When Samuel Weller makes his entrance it has to be one of the funniest entrances in a work of literature!💝

[@katiejlumsden]

Samuel Weller is just my favourite.

[@CharlieBrookReads]

I am 100% joining in and I am very excited for it!! Thank you doing this. I get a bit confused on Discord but I will try 😉

[@patrickrutledge8347]

I'm just starting the PP on audio book (also the Rory Kinnear version), and am loving it so far. It's my first time discovering the book and my first time hearing Dickens on audio. His writing and, I guess especially this book, lends itself really well to the spoken word. Thanks for the video, I think I would never have attempted it otherwise. Btw...do you say you have "read" a book, if you have listened to it on audible or wherever? I hear this often from others.....

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Looking forward to doing this amazing readathon as I love Dickens ❤❤❤

[@Jackley.32]

I am also in the process of rereading Dickens, albeit not chronologically. I'm currently on chapter 8 of Pickwick Papers. I'm enjoying it much more the second time round.

[@shelleywinters6763]

I thought I saw the tv series of the pickwick papers, then I attempted to listen to the audiobook, then I rediscovered the tv series. I should really read the book though. I find it rather disturbing, Charles Dickens stories are often disturbing, how easily these men are exploited and put in danger, just by prejudices and people jumping to conclusions. I think the funniest interaction is where the guy is trying to hint to his friend Not to rat him out to the authoriites, when it's clear he desperately wants him to rat him out. Dickens knows how to evoke emotions in the reader. Shame I missed the read along, that would have been fun to join in on.

[@wburris2007]

I just started Middlemarch by George Eliot, so it will be a while before I get started on The Pickwick Papers.

[@brookemercer2886]

I missed the announcement so this is such a lovely surprise! So excited to read alongside you!

[@katiejlumsden]

hope you enjoy it :)

[@FusionStudioUK]

PP is one of the few Dickens I've nevervread and I don't understand why I never picked it up as I'm loving it. Such joy and laughter! Tomfoolery!

[@GuroFlemmen]

I've read two books by Dickens 15+ years ago: Great Expectations, which was good, and the Pickwick papers, which I struggled with, and probably was the reason I didn't read more Dickens later. But I'm really excited to try again, and hope I have a better experience with the book this time around. Going to listen to the audiobook (Norwegian translation). Am planning to take part in the full read-along, but we'll see how it goes. (Might check out the Discord. Don't have Goodreads (I use Storygraph)).

[@buchdrache1409]

Pickwick Papers was the first Dickens i ever picked up. I was 12 at the time. Although the first chapter felt a tad dull, i absolutely loved it. It is still one of my favourite Dickens ever. When it ends, one feels so nostalgic for that world and those characters. Really enjoyed it so much! I have reread it three times since then, but i so feel like reading it again now.

[@Readinordertolive]

I will be joining in as soon as my copy of The Pickwick Papers arrives

[@joannerob0530]

Hi, I plan to join. I haven’t read much Dickens so hopefully this will encourage me.

[@BetteDavisBrazil]

I read it last year! It’s so funny, I loved it!

[@whitneyerin222]

I'm going to try Pickwick but with low hopes of enjoying it more than the last time I tried it. I'll ve very excited to get to Dombey and Son though

[@gl4621]

I'm going to give this a try!

[@BookZealots]

Definitely participating. I'll pop on over to the discord. I should be signed up already.

[@viviennehayes2856]

I bought this a few months ago, but I have not read much of it, so yes I will start in a day or two 😄

[@garyrutland1119]

200 pages in and loving it. FAr funnier than I remember from my first reading @ 15-20 years ago. Reading Tomalin's biography at the same time, well in tandem.....

[@katiejlumsden]

Oo interesting - let me know if the Tomalin biography is good! I have read her book The Invisible Woman and disagreed with some of her opinions about Dickens's novels, which has slightly put me off her biography of Dickens.

[@YourTrueShelf]

Also taking part! I just posted in the introduce yourself but of the discord, not sure if it worked or not but I joined fine 😊

[@anitahayne8621]

I can’t wait for your video regarding how to get into Dickens. In the past I have had difficulty getting into Dickens. I really want to read his novels; however, I have struggled in the past. I don’t know if I am picking the wrong books to start off with or if it is just me. I love Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, and Thomas Hardy. I would love to include Dickens with the group. Where should I really start? Is the Pickwick Papers the best book for me to start off with. Maybe I just need to get a Dickens coach😅.

[@katiejlumsden]

So, Pickwick may not be the best place to start. I'd recommend Great Expectations or David Copperfield - probably Great Expectations if you like Hardy and Charlotte Brontes. I'll also have a video up soon with some tips for reading Dickens :)

[@mimishimaineko1173]

I'm in!!!🧡

[@properlittlemadam4789]

I'm in and started on the Pickwick Papers .I aim to read all of the books. if it gets too much I'll just skip the ones that I have already read.

[@adyshih]

I am just about staring a journey to read this as original serialised manner, so like uh...20 monthly issues...good to hear that this is episode driven so I will just image I am going to watch 4 funny idiotic foursome soap opera then...

[@sarawilson9155]

I’m joining in and listening to Rory Kinnear as well. I’ve found he speaks rather fast, and have slowed him down a little. I think this is my 10th read of Pickwick, and I’m still laughing out loud.

[@katiejlumsden]

I'm excited to get started with the audiobook.

[@Dinadoesyoga]

Is it possible to participate in the discussion of some of the books but not others? Or do you need to read all? When you said this one was episodic my interested in it tanked. 😅

[@katiejlumsden]

Oh, absolutely! You're welcome just to join in for one or two if you like :)

[@jessicarabbit1164]

Hi, when I try the Discord Invite it says it is expired. I really need to read this, I have wanted to for years now. I just added it to my Audible list!

[@katiejlumsden]

Try this one: discord.gg/zaeZ3HCPSf

[@jessicarabbit1164]

@@katiejlumsden Thank you! That worked.

[@marwahashim1]

Is this the first readalong in this marathon? i am interested to participate with you guys.

[@katiejlumsden]

It is indeed :)

[@amybrown4311]

The main reason I want to pick this up is because of Little Women

[@viviennehayes2856]

Have you seen this adaptation. It's a 1952 black and white movie - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h37Thnd9r9NnfsU There is a 12 (!!!) episode BBC TV series made in 1985 And there is an animation version for children - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gni1hXZqm9uErsk

[@melaniebonello3798]

I went into the Discorder server and made an account. It says I can't put any comments into it yet. Is that correct?

[@katiejlumsden]

Are you still struggling to post comments? Other people seem to be able to - you should be able to add comments on each channel, except for the 'rules/schedule' one which is locked so it's just the schedule. If you click one of the other channels/threads, it should work.

[@melaniebonello3798]

@@katiejlumsden I have gotten into Discord - put in my phone number and made a password. I can see others' comments/posts but where I would add a message, there is a yellow exclamation mark flashing. Not sure what to do next.

[@BooksAtMidnight]

Greetings! I think the attached Discord link isn’t working. Just tried it and Discord indicated the link may be expired - and I tried it using different ways to access the link, and none worked. It may be me, but mentioning just in case.

[@katiejlumsden]

Just updated the link to this: discord.gg/ZhTTyXXe Does this work?

[@BooksAtMidnight]

@@katiejlumsden Thanks for the response! This link worked. I'm logged in!

[@BooksAtMidnight]

@books and things - (Suggestion for Discord) I'm not sure if you want to "lock" the "welcome to #Schedule-and-rules so we (general public) cannot write notes in there - so it doesn't get full of general chat - so that it is strictly for your rules. Otherwise, thanks for setting up the Discord server!

[@katiejlumsden]

@@BooksAtMidnight I do want to, and couldn't work out how XD Will try again! I'm still very new to Discord.