tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574386226748614156.post2856483907420612761..comments2024-02-05T22:43:59.433-08:00Comments on The Book Gargoyle: The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens: Tracing Roots in Wodehouse & TolkienJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988568411272528022noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574386226748614156.post-82480791067947082472015-02-03T07:01:20.909-08:002015-02-03T07:01:20.909-08:00Dear Julie (if I may)
That’s a very insightful rev...Dear Julie (if I may)<br />That’s a very insightful review of Pickwick. And, by referring to the influence of Pickwick on Wodehouse and Tolkien, I think you are combating Smiley’s assertion that modern readers find Pickwick inaccessible – you are giving readers a pathway into this extraordinary novel, and for that you should be applauded. I wonder if I may tell you about my own attempt to make Pickwick accessible to modern readers? <br />You see, I have actually written a novel about Pickwick’s origins and history. It’s called Death and Mr Pickwick, and it will be published in May by Random House (in the UK) and in June by Farrar, Straus & Giroux (in the USA). I do hope you will take a look at it – you can find out more at: www.deathandmrpickwick.com. And one thing I should say: quite a large part of my novel is set in the modern era. <br />I also hope that I shall make all sorts of new friendships and associations by writing the novel, so if you ever feel like getting in touch, please do so. I can be contacted at the website.<br />I liked your closing line, by the way: “I grieved when it ended, and smiled for a long time after”. I cannot claim that my book will make you smile afterwards – there is too much tragedy in Pickwick’s backstory for that – but, if I have done my job, you might just a grieve a little, especially for my main character, Robert Seymour, the first illustrator of Pickwick. <br />Best wishes<br />Stephen Jarvis<br />Stephen Jarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06131684050764917199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574386226748614156.post-23619870386513257652011-03-25T08:16:21.434-07:002011-03-25T08:16:21.434-07:00I love your blog <3I love your blog <3Heather Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535376783728835286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574386226748614156.post-12250042809063743672011-02-20T12:05:50.866-08:002011-02-20T12:05:50.866-08:00I first began The Pickwick Papers when I had finis...I first began The Pickwick Papers when I had finished my sixth or so rereading of Little Women at age 12 or so. I was definitely too young...because I came away with the impression that anyone who liked Dickens was starved for good books. Years later I read and loved many of his other novels, but never quite had the courage to return to Pickwick. But as Wodehouse is my favorite humor writer and Tolkien is my favorite fantasy writer, I think I'd better take another look. <br />Thank you so much for sharing your insights! This was truly fascinating.Faith E. Houghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03823750019164801104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574386226748614156.post-13312988242123522232011-02-19T15:48:26.730-08:002011-02-19T15:48:26.730-08:00I really enjoy your book reviews Julie!I really enjoy your book reviews Julie!Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04693072512370803967noreply@blogger.com