1000 Books Project - Nicholas Nickleby Final Discussion

Spoilers ahead...final thoughts...do not read if you haven't read the book and/or if spoilers bother you.

I finished! I feel like throwing a party! 😄

While this one was tough to get through due to the sheer breadth of it, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It helped that I was able to listen to some of it on Book Radio. That way I could listen while I was doing other things. 

What I love most about Dickens is his ability to tell a story with a large cross section of characters and somehow tying them together in the story. 

Nicholas is such an admirable character, despite his tendency to get extremely angry. I can't say I blame him though. So much outrage due to the poor treatment of Smike and his sister. Smike's death is so heartbreaking. What a hard life he had, and then he didn't even get to live a full life. At least his last years were spent in happiness with Nicholas and his family. 

As happens in many a Dickens novel, the "evil" characters get their comeuppance. What a shame that Ralph Nickleby was such a miserable person. He could have been happy if he could have seen past his greed. He needed visits from three spirits, but that's another story...

What are your final thoughts on the book? Share any and all thoughts in the comments.

If you joined in on the read-along, thank you! Hope to see you for our next 1000 Books Project!

I'm working on our book selection for 2025. I'm thinking we will do one book over the entire year, or for eight months. Stay tuned for the announcement.

1000 Books Project - Nicholas Nickleby Discussion Two

Spoilers ahead...do not read if you haven't read the book and/or if spoilers bother you.

I am seriously behind on this discussion post and I sincerely apologize. While I love reading Dickens, he can be long-winded at times...or perhaps not so much long-winded, as lofty in his introduction of characters. Honestly, I don't know how the man kept up with all of these characters. 

When he titled this The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, he was not kidding. Nicholas has had so many experiences for such a young man. I loved the parts when he (and Smike) acted in Mr. Crummles' theater troupe. I can imagine him as quite the dashing leading man. His popularity with the audiences caused some jealousy within the company. I thought that scene was quite entertaining. Nicholas has a

temper. They truly don't know who they're messing with...which Ralph is getting ready to find out. Evil man. What he has caused to happen to poor Kate is horrifying. Now I see why they were so fussy back then for young women to have a chaperone. She clearly needed one in her situation. Of course, she, and her mother, did not suspect that her Uncle would be so cruel. I think they are finding out now just how morally bankrupt he really is. Greed is at the root of his antics. He does seem to have a soft spot for Kate, even though it seems impossible. But just when you think he might be redeemable after all, he says to himself about wishing Nicholas and their mother dead so Kate could live with him. Wow.

I'm not going to say much more at the moment. I'll just say that I am enjoying it, though it's slow going. I am considering listening to some of it on audio. One of the newsletters I subscribe to mentioned this public domain audio book site and I found Nicholas Nickleby on there. If you want to check it out, it's called Book Radio.

What did you think of the this section of our reading? Share any and all thoughts in the comments.

Here is the reading schedule if you need to reference it again. (Click link and scroll down)
I'll be back on August 31 (hopefully) with the next discussion post.

1000 Books Project - Nicholas Nickleby Discussion One

Spoilers ahead...do not read if you haven't read the book and/or if spoilers bother you.

Dickens was so good at portraying the less fortunate of his time. Children who had no rights and were often mistreated. Women, whose husbands have died, and are left destitute, thrown at the mercy of often unkind relatives. And his villains! Probably some of the most detestable in the history of literature. Ralph Nickleby and the Squeers. We have so far only had glimpses of the truly horrible nature of their uncle, but we know fully well just how despicable are the Squeers. Their treatment of the boys, and especially poor Smike, makes me so angry!

I have to mention also the introduction of all these side characters who are so entertaining and interesting. How Dickens kept up with all these characters...I don't know! The Kenwigs and Mr. Gregsbury. Regarding the latter, when he was describing the duties of the secretary job, I thought to myself it sounds like he would be doing your job for you. Luckily, Nicholas was smart enough not to take the job.

Looking forward to moving on to the next reading section to see what's next for young Mr. Nickleby.

I watched the 2002 film again the other night. I have seen it many times. I really love it. I usually wait until I've finished the book to rewatch the film, but I was compelled to watch it at the beginning of the book instead. It is a very well-done film, with great performances. It seems to stay fairly close to the book, though I won't know for sure until I've read the whole book. Anyway, I recommend the film. You can watch it for free on Tubi. I noticed there are other adaptations so I may seek them out as well.

What did you think of the this section of our reading? Share any and all thoughts in the comments.

Here is the reading schedule if you need to reference it again. (Click link and scroll down)
I'll be back on July 31 with the next discussion post.