Some Dickens For December

December 4, 2012

2012 has of course been the bicentenary of the birth of one of the UK’s greatest writers, Charles Dickens. There has been much celebration and the Beauty is a Sleeping Cat blog has come up with the wonderful idea of Dickens in December. One of the great man’s best-loved works is “A Christmas Carol” so this does seem entirely appropriate!

Much as I would love to embark on one of Dickens’ longer works – especially as Other Half presented me with a lovely new set of the novels earlier this year and “Our Mutual Friend” is calling to me! – I think I will want to restrict myself to shorter works once I have finished the current chunkster.

Fortunately, I do possess three lovely little Hesperus volumes which will probably fit the bill:

Very appropriate for this time of year, and featuring Mrs. Gaskell and Wilkie Collins too, I believe.

Then there is this:

which will be great for more seasonal spookiness.

I also have this one which, though it is not so seasonal, may still be quite fun to read:

So although I can’t follow along with all of the Dickens in December deadlines, I shall certainly make sure I enjoy some of the great man’s work during the month!

Caroline
Dec 04, 2012 @ 11:56:12

Thanks for joining. Those books look lovely. I wouldn’t mind reading The Haunted House myself. I had a hard time finding the appropriate book. As much as I wanted to read Bleak House, I knew I’d never finish in time.

kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 04, 2012 @ 13:02:11

Yes, they’re nice and slim, so much as I would like to re-read Bleak House, that’ll have to wait!

FleurFisher
Dec 05, 2012 @ 17:55:13

The Hesperus editions of Dickens’ little books are lovely, and it was The Haunted House that started me reading his work after a long break a few years ago. Lovely writing without the commitment of a big book, though not all the contributors are in the same league as gaskell and Collins.

I didn’t sign up for Dickens in December because I have let so may plans drift this year, but I’m well into a re-read of Great Expecations and I’m hoping to pick up another of the Hesperus titles before the end of the month.

kaggsysbookishramblings
Dec 05, 2012 @ 18:36:33

I *love* Hesperus volumes! Oneworld/Alma have started to reprint some of the same titles but unfortunately seem to be losing the introductions – which is a shame because I feel they add a lot to the reading experience. Glad you’re well into your re-read – I hope to get the stamina to return to Bleak House one day!