Loved this review, Sam. Not read this book (and not a huge fan of Dickens, probably due to being forced to read 'Dombey and Son' as an undergrad, which was handy as a doorstop but didn't really thrill me as a work of literature), but I love the comparison you make with Jean Rhys' 'Wide Sargasso Sea'. I think it's really interesting when a writer takes an earlier text and does something really interesting with it. Sadly, I am not in Adelaide this November, otherwise your adaptation looks thrilling! :)
Thanks, Kate. Can I encourage you to read Our Mutual Friend if you haven't?! And I do think Great Expectations is (almost!) perfect. Of course you love Wide Sargasso Sea, a novel of infinite riches. I think I might have already told you that I reread it not that long ago (having not really understood it as an undergrad, funnily enough) and it took my breath away. (Jack Maggs is on in Adelaide NEXT November - 2024 – but I don't expect you to be there then, either. :)
Haha, well, if you are recommending Our Mutual Friend, then I am willing to give it a go! I do actually love the story of Great Expectations, though mainly because of the black and white film version that was one of my mother's favourites, and I have the best memories of watching it with her. Jean Rhys was a basic genius, as we well know, and I haven't actually read WSS in years, so maybe time for a re-read...and no, I don't expect to be in Adelaide next November either, though you never know!
Lovely memories; it’s that kind of film. Re. Dombey, by the way, perhaps the sentimental ending is somewhat hard to take! But Paul Dombey is an extraordinary monster; and the death of Little Paul really is the most exquisite passage, with a wonderful interplay between perspectives: the narrator’s, Paul’s, ours.
This is great. I think I read it when it came out and will see if I can dig it out and put it on my TBR pile. I think I will get much more from it now, thank you!
Loved this review, Sam. Not read this book (and not a huge fan of Dickens, probably due to being forced to read 'Dombey and Son' as an undergrad, which was handy as a doorstop but didn't really thrill me as a work of literature), but I love the comparison you make with Jean Rhys' 'Wide Sargasso Sea'. I think it's really interesting when a writer takes an earlier text and does something really interesting with it. Sadly, I am not in Adelaide this November, otherwise your adaptation looks thrilling! :)
Thanks, Kate. Can I encourage you to read Our Mutual Friend if you haven't?! And I do think Great Expectations is (almost!) perfect. Of course you love Wide Sargasso Sea, a novel of infinite riches. I think I might have already told you that I reread it not that long ago (having not really understood it as an undergrad, funnily enough) and it took my breath away. (Jack Maggs is on in Adelaide NEXT November - 2024 – but I don't expect you to be there then, either. :)
Haha, well, if you are recommending Our Mutual Friend, then I am willing to give it a go! I do actually love the story of Great Expectations, though mainly because of the black and white film version that was one of my mother's favourites, and I have the best memories of watching it with her. Jean Rhys was a basic genius, as we well know, and I haven't actually read WSS in years, so maybe time for a re-read...and no, I don't expect to be in Adelaide next November either, though you never know!
Lovely memories; it’s that kind of film. Re. Dombey, by the way, perhaps the sentimental ending is somewhat hard to take! But Paul Dombey is an extraordinary monster; and the death of Little Paul really is the most exquisite passage, with a wonderful interplay between perspectives: the narrator’s, Paul’s, ours.
Can I put in a plea for Bleak House? So brilliantly written
Yes you may! I completely agree with you.
Ahhh, I think I am going to have to do a Dickens deep dive and get over my Dombey fears...
🤓 Little Dorrit is your friend. 🤓
😄
This is great. I think I read it when it came out and will see if I can dig it out and put it on my TBR pile. I think I will get much more from it now, thank you!
Hurrah!
Annoying that I can't add a photo to a reply? But I found my battered copy...
loved this Sam. wish i could see the show. (few tweaks to this, and that’s your programme note done too!)
Thanks, Mark. (And good point!)