Let’s read & learn from Charles Dickens first ever novel!
NOTE: This post was incomplete when it was accidentally delivered on 12/20/23 and has since been completed. My sincerest apologies to those who received an incomplete email.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that in 2024 I intend to release my own serial. Joining the ranks of dozens of others here on Substack, hoping to capture your eyeballs for the long haul. You can find out more about it here.
Alongside this massive undertaking I want to do a bit of research into what is considered the first serial ever printed, written by none other than Charles Dickens. It also happens to be the first novel he ever wrote. Fancy that. His first novel was written in real-time as it was then taken and published on a monthly basis. It’s interesting facts like this and much more that I hope to share as I work my way through reading this massive book. It is over 300k words so it won’t be easy. And back in the 19th century when people had gobs more time on their hands, not encumbered by things like the internet and telephones, they were able to read through thousands of words in one month without breaking a sweat. But as it’s the 21st century and distractions abound, I’ve (hopefully) worked out a less grueling schedule that will attempt to stick to the original release timeline but take into account the modern day pressures we all find ourselves in.
Who is this read-along for?
The Classics Reader | If you love reading classic literature and have never conquered (or dare I say heard of) this one, then I can think of no better time or company to keep than with the rest of us who adore the classics just as much.
The Evergreen Learner | There is much that we can learn from the ones who came before us. Charles Dickens is at the top of my list. He wrote some of today’s classics that stand the test of time and I’m not just talking about A Christmas Carol which has been filmed, televised, and retold more than any other work of literature I can think of. What was his life like back in 1836 – 1837, I wonder, when he was given an opportunity to tell this story? It is this question and so many others I hope to uncover and share as we read this tome together.
The Storyteller | I must confess, I am doing this for purely selfish reasons. I want to dissect the characters, the plot, and everything that went into a story of this size so that I can take these lessons and implement them in some way on my own work.
The Night Owl | Lastly, if you find yourself with loads of time in the middle of the night and you’re looking for something to turn your attention to that might just be some of the best reading you’ll get stuck into, why not give this book a try?
THE TIMELINE
As I mentioned, this book is 300K+ words long and from March 1836 – October 1837 on a monthly cadence, this book was released to the masses. That is a lot of reading to get through in 19 months which works out to be 76 weeks. I think we can do it and in record time too!
There are also some historical things to take into account that I won’t mention here which make it important to read at the same pacing as it was originally released. Which means we’ll begin March 2024 and work our way, together, through the lot.
So, clear your calendars from March 2024 – October 2025. Don’t let that length of time dissuade you. If I can do it, so can you. And I’m working on dividing each month to make digesting the material as easy as possible and not overwhelming at all.
THE BOOK CLUB
In trying to make this as much of a book club setting as possible, I’ll be utilizing aspects of Substack that I typically wouldn’t use, namely, the Chat feature. This is where weekly discussions will happen to spark conversation and have just a general check-in with everyone. I’m thinking of it like a time we gather with our hot cocoa’s (or your drink of choice) around a table or perhaps some comfy couches in a living room, each with our own copies of The Pickwick Papers, some dog-eared and highlighted with notes in the margins, ready to share what we’ve learned from the reading.
Along the way I’ll share some of what I’ve learned as well, context about the time period when each installment was actually released, and the like.
You might want to get the Substack App, if you don’t have it already, in order to better participate in the Chat discussions.
JOIN THE CLUB
If you are at all interested in reading The Pickwick Papers and learning all there is to know about Dickens first novel that made him a household name and the first serial to be a commercial success for other authors, then sign up today!
