Reading groups? Bleak House?

[dicer]

Hi. I'd really like to read Bleak House but the size is somewhat daunting. I have come across numerous 'readalong' groups when surfing the web, but they are all set in the past.. somehow I always seem to miss these things. I think it would be a good way to read the longer novels. I realise this is the purpose of the forum's book club, but I'd like to focus on the Victorian era this summer.

Does anyone know where I can find out about group reading projects before they happen? Would anyone here be interested in reading Bleak House? I was thinking that the book might be better read over a longer period, say a chapter a day, and the book could then be discussed at the end of a week. Or something like that.

...anyone? :)

[Brock]

Bleak House is simply amazing. Don't be daunted by its length. After you get gripped by the story you forget you're reading a large text. You'll just keep turning the pages.

I'd be up for a combined reading, but I've read it fairly recently. Just start it; you won't regret it. And then maybe purchase the recent adaptation of it, with Gillian Anderson in. That's a great adaptation.

[dfloyd]

There are two video adaptations of the novel which are both very good. I like to watch one while reading the novel. Both are British. One is with Diana Rigg and I forget the other actress. I think at least one is for Masterpiece Theatre.

[Etain]

It's been years since I've read Bleak House. I'd be willing to give it a go, if you want someone to read it at the same time.

I agree that there have also been some wonderful movie adaptations. There was an excellent adaptation in 2005 put out by the BBC.

[dfloyd]

there are two versions of Bleak House. The first is a Masterpiece Theatre production staring Diana Rigg as the icily beautiful Lady Dedlock. It is 418 minutes long.

The second is a BBC miniseries which is 465 minutes long. The actors are all British and I didn't recognize any of their names. I have seen both and it would be hard to pick the best.

I don't know if this is the best of Dickens, but it is surely a good story with some of Dickens' most memorable characters such as Lord and Lady Dedlock and the evil lawyer Tulkingharn (Dickens had a way with names didn't he?).
I hope you guys read the book and see at least one of the miniseries.

[Etain]

there are two versions of Bleak House. The first is a Masterpiece Theatre production staring Diana Rigg as the icily beautiful Lady Dedlock. It is 418 minutes long.

The second is a BBC miniseries which is 465 minutes long. The actors are all British and I didn't recognize any of their names. I have seen both and it would be hard to pick the best.

I don't know if this is the best of Dickens, but it is surely a good story with some of Dickens' most memorable characters such as Lord and Lady Dedlock and the evil lawyer Tulkinghorn (Dickens had a way with names didn't he?).
I hope you guys read the book and see at least one of the miniseries.

Well, actually Gillian Anderson (who plays Scully in the X-Files) is an American actress. In Bleak House she plays Lady Dedlock.

I haven't seen the other version with Diana Rigg...now I really want to :).

[dfloyd]

because I never watch tv unless it is a literary adaptation on dvd. I do remember the actress who played Lady Dedlock was quite good, especially in the scenes where she was pitted against Lawyer Tulkingham.