Thanks to everyone who took the poll about what you'd like to see more of in the new year. While you'll still be seeing all the same kinds of posts, it helps me know how to balance them better and keep things interesting!
As you can see, "analysis and discussion" won in a landslide, with movie reviews in second place. I'd like to invite you all again to comment here and let me know some of your ideas for these, if you have any. My next review will probably be of the first Little Dorrit miniseries (if I can ever get it finished! That thing is LONG!). After that, Barnaby Rudge and then Hard Times, which I've been wanting to see. But I'm open for suggestions for what should come after that!
I don't remember if we've discussed the Dombey & Son miniseries, but I'd be interesting in hearing what viewers think of it (I haven't seen it yet).
Posted by: Marian | January 11, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Only briefly: http://dickensblog.typepad.com/dickensblog/2009/08/party.html
Would love to hear your thoughts on it when you've seen it. I thought it was really good.
Posted by: Gina | January 11, 2011 at 06:41 PM
This is so random, but I suppose this is as good a place as any to mention it. Has anyone ever read the short story "The Man Who Liked Dickens" by Evelyn Waugh? It's a bit dark, but thoroughly entertaining and Waugh must have known is Dickens pretty well (especially "Bleak House"). Just thought I would throw that out there --- I just read it the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it.
So maybe this is my subconscious saying we can discuss how Dickens influenced literature? And maybe perhaps who influenced Dickens?
Posted by: Holly | January 11, 2011 at 07:19 PM
That's an excellent idea, Holly. Will definitely keep it in mind. (For one thing, I know there's a new book about G. K. Chesterton that includes some stuff about his critiques of Dickens!)
As for Waugh, I did mention his movie "A Handful of Dust," based on the novel that grew out of the story you mention.
http://dickensblog.typepad.com/dickensblog/2009/09/torture-by-dickens.html
I think the man had some sort of a weird Dickens complex, don't you? :-)
Posted by: Gina | January 11, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Indeed I do, Gina. But I'm pretty sure I do, too. ;)
Posted by: Holly | January 12, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Yes, but you have it in a GOOD way! Waugh . . . I'm not so sure.
Posted by: Gina | January 12, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Recently finished watching the mini-series of Little Dorrit and enjoyed it very much until the last episode, where so many events occurred that it got confusing, IMHO.
Have to read it now.
Posted by: James Drake | January 17, 2011 at 11:31 PM