A Classic Example: Fall/Winter 07 Reading Series

Dear Page Turners and Friends:

As I compiled our comprehensive reading list, which includes titles we have read since 2003, I realized that we have done our share of diverse reading. One thing we have not done as a group is read and talk about19th Century English Fiction. So, with our discussion of Jane Eyre on July 26th, we’ll begin a five-month series of classic literature.

As we discussed in June, we are going to follow up Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre with reading and discussion of her last novel, Villette. In this book, said to be the author’s most autobiographical novel, we will struggle through the trials and triumphs of the character Lucy Snowe. One more thing about Villette, many readers have said they consider it a better novel than Jane Eyre. Authors George Elliot and Virginia Woolf hailed Villette for its exploration of women’s roles in society and for its modern psychological depth. We will discuss Villette on August 23rd. As always, our meetings begin at 6 p.m. in the Pottsville Free Public Library. You might want to take a virtual visit to the Bronte museum.

On September 20th, we will talk about Hard Times by Charles Dickens. This story, set during the Industrial Revolution in England, is a Dickensian defense of art in the age of mechanism. In this novel, we meet Thomas Gradgrind, a character who I loathe and pity simultaneously. I think you will see why I feel this way when you read Hard Times. I will be interested to know what you think about him and why you feel the way you do.

It’s no cozy, The Woman in White. This novel by Wilkie Collins, a writer whom Dickens befriended and mentored, will be the subject of our October 18th discussion. It was a bestseller mystery-thriller in the 1860s and it remains widely read in the 21st century. A frightening midnight encounter between artist Walter Hartright and a supernatural woman dressed all in white leads us into this story of international intrigue involving crime, kidnapping and poison, among other staples of a great thriller. You can check out what some readers have to say about the book at its author by visiting this BBC group.

We will wrap up discussion on November 15th, when we discuss Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. This author was Charlotte Brontë's first biographer and Cranford is said to be her most popular work. It is a comical account of a group of refined though not extremely wealthy women who dominate a 19th-century English village.

I have ordered 15 copies of Villette and we will be sure to let you know when they arrive at the library. It will be helpful if each of you would let Fran know whether you want us to order you a copy of each of the books in the series. Ordering volume allows me to obtain a discount and get free shipping.

New members are always welcome to join us. In addition to learning through story, we also tend to have a great time during our discussions.

Sincerely,
Christine

Bronte, Dickens and a not-so-well known ...

The classics are on tap for our Fall-Winter 2007 reading series. Stop back soon for the announcement.