As I hinted in my post on Friday, the book I want to talk about today is another which is playing havoc with my reading plans! It’s one of a new series from Oxford University Press with the overall title of ‘My Reading’, the premise being that an author explores the writings of another author who’s had a significant influence on them. The one I chose to read is by Annette Federico who explores her feelings about Charles Dickens under the subtitle ‘But for you, dear stranger’.
The concept is an interesting one, providing (on the evidence of this volume) a deeply personal look at a writer we might perhaps take for granted. Federico, a Professor of English at James Madison University, lets her thoughts roam over four of Dickens’ works – Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Little Dorrit, and A Tale of Two Cities – and brings much insight into their impact, as well as revealing how they’ve related to her life.
Federico has taught Dickens and her experiences doing so, particularly throughout the pandemic, making fascinating reading. How do you get modern young people, dealing with massive world events, to engage with a voluble Victorian author? Perhaps, as she discovers, by relating to the characters; Dickens’ focus is always on the people about whom he’s writing, their feelings and their dreams, and this is at the root of his storytelling.
And as Federico explores these elements of Dickens’ writing, revisiting and re-reading him at difficult times of her life, she digs much deeper than her original, more casual readings of his work had been, finding much to learn from him about love, hope and life itself. Her attempts to teach her class during the pandemic eventually led to her undertaking a slow and rewarding reading which seems to have been an intriguing exercise for Federico, as it’s clear she hadn’t necessarily recognised before the significance of Dickens in her life.
“But for you…” is a book which ranges far and wide, drawing in Jung, issues between classes and societies, the autobiographical elements Dickens wove into his works, Federico’s relationship with her parents and partner, prisons, Dickens’ use of melodrama, how and why we read – well, I could go on, but as you can see, for a shortish book (151 pages) this really does cover a lot of territory.
You might have guessed that I absolutely loved this book; I think very highly of Dickens anyway, and to see his work explored like this was fascinating. And as I hinted in my post on Friday, it’s had a very bad effect on me! You see, of the four books covered by Federico, I’ve only read A Tale of Two Cities and I’m afraid her narrative has made me desperately want to pick up some Dickens and get reading him!!! Alas, that may have to wait for a while, as I am embroiled in a number of other books at the moment – but a Dickens reading project would be rather lovely one day!
If “But for you…” is any indication, the My Reading series is going to be a winner; the other books in the initial batch cover Beckett, Balzac, William James and King Lear, with more titles promised for 2023. If you want a personal, thought-provoking and fascinating look at Dickens and the effect he can have on the reader, this is definitely a book for you!
Review copy kindly provided by the publisher, for which many thanks!
Margot Kinberg
Sep 05, 2022 @ 12:06:09
Oh, that’s such a fascinating way to look at Dickens and his writing! More than that, it sounds like a really interesting series. I’m sure there are some great perspectives on different authors, and I’ll bet they give some insight into the writers of those perspectives, too!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 16:13:00
It really is – a very personal take which was very interesting indeed. And the series looks promising too – one I’ll definitely watch with interest!
elkiedee
Sep 05, 2022 @ 13:49:03
I hated Charles Dickens at school though I don’t think it was really him. I have read some of his books as an adult and I love the adaptations and the alternative takes on TV and radio. My aunt/cousins’ home in the 1970s in Spitalfields, just between the City of London Whitechapel and Bethnal Green, was on a street used for film sets.
I think I like books about him and his work more than his books, and I also have some fiction books relating to aspects of his life, and Dickens actor and fanperson Miriam Margoyles’ work Dickens’ Women on audio.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 16:12:27
I think we sometimes hate what we’re made to read, especially if the timing is wrong – and Dickens can be a real commitment. But his characters and his settings are so vivid that I think he’s worth the effort. But he *is* also fascinating to read about!!
JacquiWine
Sep 05, 2022 @ 14:06:14
Such an interesting idea for a series, and it’s great to learn about it here. Thanks for the post!
I’m not familiar enough with Dickens’ work to get much out of this particular one, but I’ll be interested to see how this series develops over time, beyond the writers being covered in 2022. (Balzac is a big gap for me!)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 16:08:13
It’s a really interesting concept, and perhaps a little lighter than some of their more academic fare (which is all good too, of course). I’ve read a fair amount of Dickens but only one of these so it was a bit of a learning curve for me too and really made me want to read more Dickens. There’s a list of the series so far here, and there are some promising names! https://global.oup.com/academic/content/series/m/my-reading-series-read/?cc=gb&lang=en&
elkiedee
Sep 05, 2022 @ 14:06:54
Who was William James?
I’m very envious of these books. My mum’s parents both worked for OUP (her father was second in command for a while and they lived in a rather impressive tied accommodation, I was going to say “the poshest” but in Oxford I think that’s not true, colleges and Anglican churches probably top it, and I’m sure if it was on Location Location Location the homehunters would be oh for that money we’d want it to be completely different.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 16:06:54
He was an American writer/philosopher I believe. The whole series looks interesting and there’s a list of what’s coming out here: https://global.oup.com/academic/content/series/m/my-reading-series-read/?cc=gb&lang=en&
And working for OUP must have been such fun! Very envious of your grandparents!
Helen
Sep 05, 2022 @ 15:28:04
This sounds like a great new series. I’ve read three of those four Dickens novels (I still need to read Little Dorrit), so I think I would find this one interesting.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 16:04:19
It’s really interesting, and I loved that personal take on the books. I really *do* want to read some Dickens soon!!
Jane
Sep 05, 2022 @ 17:25:06
This does sound excellent, but like you it would make me want to immediately read the other titles mentioned!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:50:27
It’s done exactly that – and I have a lovely Dickens set lurking upstairs so the temptation is strong!!
mallikabooks15
Sep 05, 2022 @ 18:40:17
This sounds an interesting way to look at Dickens whose books I do love very much and definitely one that belongs on my TBR. This rather reminded me of the Bookmarked series in its approach though those focus on one book and the reader-author’s experiences of how that’s influenced them.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:49:56
It’s a really good was to explore his work, and by focusing on four books which have meant a lot to her, she brings a very interesting personal lens to it. And I do like reading books about how people have been affected by other books!!
Lory
Sep 05, 2022 @ 18:59:29
I haven’t read Dickens for ages, it’s time for some rereading. I hope you’ll find the time to read the ones you haven’t yet — they’re all wonderful. This book sounds marvelous too! Love the whole idea.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:49:13
It’s always good to revisit Dickens, but I do want to read something new to me! And yes, this is a brilliant idea for a series!
Julé Cunningham
Sep 05, 2022 @ 19:10:16
Ooh, this sounds like a terrific series, wonder if it will get published here too. I can see why it is tempting you away! (You’re quite right about William James, also brother to Henry and Alice – there are all sorts of interesting letters between the siblings out there.)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:48:42
I hope you can get a chance to read it – this was a really interesting title, and as the author is American it would be nice if it’s widely available!
WordsAndPeace
Sep 05, 2022 @ 19:22:04
Sounds like a great idea of a series. I just went to check the other titles in the series
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:47:44
It’s a really good way, and an approachable one too, to get readers interested in a particular author. It certainly made me want to run off and read Dickens!
madamebibilophile
Sep 05, 2022 @ 19:25:43
This sounds wonderful! I’m not the biggest Dickens fan but I can imagine this sort of insightful enthusiasm for his work would have me scurrying to the library! I do mean to read more of him one day…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:47:05
It’s a really interesting read, and it certainly does have the effect of making you want to read him. So many books, so little time!!!
1streading
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:22:25
This sounds like a great series – and I can appreciate how teaching a book can help you see it more clearly!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 05, 2022 @ 20:45:54
It is – and her insights from teaching Dickens are fascinating, but even more when she draws back from teaching it during the pandemic and just allows herself to read the books again.
Liz Dexter
Sep 05, 2022 @ 21:06:59
Ooh, that sounds like an interesting series: I’m not drawn particularly to the ones you mention so far but there are bound to be more!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 06, 2022 @ 16:21:51
It’s a clever idea for a series – there are more forthcoming titles on the link I’ve put in a few comments – and I think if it’s an author you like the books will really click!
TravellinPenguin
Sep 06, 2022 @ 00:13:10
This series sounds wonderful. I wonder if one will be released on Kafka. Our shared reading group is into him quite deeply at the moment.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 06, 2022 @ 16:20:59
It’s a really good idea, I think – that personal look at an author is very appealing. Kafka would be a good subject!
BookerTalk
Sep 06, 2022 @ 08:39:16
What an interesting idea for a series. This one might even persuade me to finish Tale of Two Cities – the only one of the four I just can’t get on with.
The Balzac one caught my eye too. I’ve read only one of his books but keep meaning to get back to him.,
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 06, 2022 @ 16:14:27
It’s very interesting, and she does indeed shed much light on the books with her own personal responses to them. It’s decades since I read Tale but I did love it – I wonder how I would find it now!!
BookerTalk
Sep 07, 2022 @ 08:08:03
So many people do love “Tale”. Ive tried many times but get stuck almost at the same point each time.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 07, 2022 @ 11:31:21
Some books are just not for us…!
Calmgrove
Sep 06, 2022 @ 15:35:47
I’ve not read Little Dorrit
Calmgrove
Sep 06, 2022 @ 15:42:14
– sorry, I was all thumbs there lol – but I got through the other three at different stages in my life, with Oliver Twist lined up for a reread some time or other. But first there are his travels in Italy to explore, if I don’t pick up a copy of this title first! It sounds good, as I like the idea of a sort of conversation or dialogue with an author long gone.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 06, 2022 @ 16:11:25
LOL! I have the travels in Italy lurking too, picked up after that Richard E Grant documentary. But I really need to read more of his chunksters!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 06, 2022 @ 16:10:44
🤣
Cheryl Collins
Sep 06, 2022 @ 20:30:33
Thank you SO much for recommending this. I confess I was straight on the evil empire website, it arrived this morning and I spent the rest of the day reading it- loved it. Will need a more measured read too, of course. As an avid reader I love books about reading and cross pollination between reading and life. I will definitely look out for others in this series but some others I have enjoyed are
Austen Years, a memoir in five novels- Rachel Cohen
A Jane Austen Education- William Deresiewicz
All the lives we ever lived, seeking solace in Virginia Woolf- Katherine Smyth
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 07, 2022 @ 11:32:50
Thank you, and I’m so glad you enjoyed this – I agree with what you say about books about books and how they affect our lives, and thank you for the recommendations! 😀
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May 29, 2023 @ 07:01:21