This week I am in the middle of Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva. It is a fictionalized account of how author Charles Dickens came to write one of my favorite Christmas stories, The Christmas Carol. I am not finding it to be a fast read, but I am enjoying it quite a bit. It is one of those books I lose myself in when I have a good chunk of time to sit and read rather than in small doses here and there.
A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.
On that unseasonably warm November day at One Devonshire Terrace, Christmas was not in his head at all.
I like this opening sentence and think it is a good one as a lead in to what is to come. Fortunately, the weather here has finally cooled down, and seems more fall like, but the week before Halloween, I had my doubts. As a result, I can appreciate how the weather can affect our thoughts about the holidays. Even if I live in a climate where the ice cream truck comes around the neighborhood even at Christmas time, I still appreciate that winter in this part of the world means colder weather.
"I know it's true, what you say," he said, flinging his hair back from his forehead. "But I'm in a most disheveled state, John. And fear I've lost my muse."
This is the 56% mark of Mr. Dickens and His Carol. Charles is in dire straits at this point. The deadline is fast approaching for his Christmas story, one he very reluctantly agreed to write. And now this . . .
What do you think? Would you continue reading?
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!
© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I didn't know this was a thing. It sounds like a book I might enjoy. Thanks for mentioning it.
ReplyDeleteBreana - I love historical fiction and Charles Dickens. This is a match made just for me. LOL
DeleteSounds like a great book! Glad you're enjoying it and I can't wait to see your review(:
ReplyDeleteEustacia - It is good so far. There is a bit of a mystery in it--a couple, in fact--which is adding to my enjoyment of it.
DeleteYes, this is new to me, and sounds good - very Christmassy :)
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: http://bit.ly/2hiAJA3 Enjoy your weekend, may your books be with you!
Sassy Brit - Yes, it's a very timely read. :-) I hope you have a great weekend too!
DeleteI like that opening sentence too.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I think you might like this book, Kathy.
DeleteI like the premise of the book and would keep reading. I'm fascinated by Dickens and his time.
ReplyDeleteCatherine - I am fascinated by him and his time as well. There have been other sightings of famous authors from the time--the description of Wilkie Collins is amusing. :-)
DeleteI'd have to know more before I tried this one. This week I have Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - It's got a Dickens' feel to it, which I guess is fitting given it's about him. :-)
DeleteI like the opener!
ReplyDeleteMystica - I do too! There isn't much to it, but it pulled me in.
DeleteThis sounds very interesting. I'd love to know how he came up with The Christmas Carol. I'd love for you and your readers to check out mine! http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsCFF-AaB
ReplyDeleteLisa - I don't know how true this story is, if at all, but it's a fun one. I definitely plan to do a little research when I'm done with it. :-)
DeleteSounds like a fun way to honor a favorite author. Hum, gives me an idea.
ReplyDeleteI like how you described you local climate. It is hard to get in the Christmas spirit when it's 90 F out.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Roberta - I think so too. I am enjoying it so far. :-)
DeleteIt's been an unseasonably hot fall this year.
I love the sound of this one. Something we can appreciate during this holiday season. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog. I'm enjoying the cooler weather too!
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain - It is so nice to have to put on a sweater in the mornings and evenings. Haha. This one is perfect for this time of year.
DeleteI usually zip through books, but sometimes I find one that slows me down, whether it's the book or me, I can't always tell. Hope it's all you wanted, in the end.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes
Sherry - Sometimes I need a slower good book to remind me that I need to slow down. It's been so crazy busy here lately. I appreciate the moments I can actually stop and breathe.
DeleteI can't wait to get my hands on the Dickens book :) I think I'll save it for the holidays so I can savor it :)
ReplyDeletePeppermint - I hope you get a chance to read this one! It's good so far. :-)
DeleteI think I'd like this one! :-) Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteFreda - I think you would too! Have a good weekend.
DeleteI'm intrigued! I'm reading Christmas Carol this year so this sounds like a good one to add to the reading mix. I don't mind a slow book if it's a book I enjoy. Some of my favorite books are slow going.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I love the Christmas Carol. I think I might read it again this year. :-)
DeleteAnd I agree! There are slow books because they are a struggle to get through and slow good ones. This one is a good one.
I'm intrigued, too. And what a perfect book to read in December! :)
ReplyDeleteLark - It is a good one so far!
DeleteThe title alone has me interested. :)
ReplyDeleteEllen - That's what first caught my attention too!
DeleteHi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteAuthor, Samantha Silva, certainly has the right credentials for writing a novel which might so easily be adapted for stage or screen.
Although I don't tend to read 'seasonally', I might easily have engaged with the premise, if it had not been for the fact that Samantha chose Charles Dickens as her protagonist.
Personally, I believe that 'classics' are that for a reason and I don't really want to read either extensions to the series of a deceased author, or for any aspect of a classical author's work or life to be embellished in any way.
I love Dickens work, but I don't want to imagine what 'might have happened' to cause one of his books to be written in a certain way.
I hope that you enjoy the read, Wendy, but this isn't one for me :)
Yvonne
Yvonne - I don't know much about Silva's work as a screenwriter. Her novel definitely has a Dickensian flavor to it though, which I appreciate given the subject matter.
DeleteI understand why you wouldn't want to read this one. I used to feel that way about Jane Austen and her works, although I've since had a change of heart. There's something to be said for keeping an author's work pure in our minds.
Thank you for stopping by, Yvonne!
What a great idea. I bet I'll have to keep reminding myself it's fictional:)
ReplyDeleteMy Friday 56 from The Memory Trees
Laura - Thank you! It definitely falls into the fictional camp, but I find myself having to remind myself of that too. :-)
DeleteI love the use of language. So enchanting. I'd definitely read this one. Thanks for sharing and for the visit. Sorry I'm only responding today - it's been busy!
ReplyDeleteBev - I do too! I hope you get a chance to read this one. No need to apologize; I'm pretty slow about responding myself these days. :-)
DeleteLove the cover
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I do too!
DeleteYay for cooler weather! The weather here is cooling down as well and I am sooo relieved. Glad you're enjoying your book even though it has a slow pace. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah - I am glad for the cooler weather! I just realized though, I only have one pair of jeans. Looks like shopping is in order soon . . .
DeleteOoh, now for sure I want to read The Christmas Carol. I think it'd be the perfect Christmas read. And by the first sentence Mr. Dickens and his carol sounds really interesting and gives me some hope that it'd be a great story.
ReplyDeleteYulia - I hope you do get a chance to read A Christmas Carol! It's really good. :-)
DeleteMr. Dickens and His Carol definitely sounds like something I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I think you might like to too. :-)
DeleteI just love the cover of this book. You can just feel the cold and the need to bundle up. Sounds like it's a great read so far!
ReplyDeleteIliana - It's a perfect way to kick off the holiday season. :-)
DeleteThat's still the only Dickens I've read and I loved it. What's your second favorite?
ReplyDeleteStacy - I haven't read too much in the way of Dickens. I really liked Oliver Twist.
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