tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post4369573279179147601..comments2024-03-28T08:49:59.941-05:00Comments on Laura's Reviews: Charles Dickens by Jane Smiley (Review and GIVEAWAY!)Laura's Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-59807763344984635232012-01-02T11:53:10.714-06:002012-01-02T11:53:10.714-06:00The winner has been chosen and notified for this g...The winner has been chosen and notified for this giveaway.Laura's Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-2690521373828728992011-12-30T02:06:51.692-06:002011-12-30T02:06:51.692-06:00In light of Dickens' bicentenary next year, wh...In light of Dickens' bicentenary next year, who would not love to read this biography of him?? (no offense Jane Austen)Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-29090767401855075922011-12-28T11:48:21.200-06:002011-12-28T11:48:21.200-06:00Love this post and all the little details about hi...Love this post and all the little details about his life. My grandmother mentioned when she was a downstairs maid in London that Charles Dickens came for dinner and everyone downstairs was in a "dither". <br />I filled out a "who do you write like" questionnaire and James Joyce came up - intriguing. <br /><br />Ann<br />cozyintexas@yahoo.comAnn Summervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300190648788509096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-29971614244948099912011-12-26T07:10:59.618-06:002011-12-26T07:10:59.618-06:00Penguin Lives. I remember seeing racks of them in ...Penguin Lives. I remember seeing racks of them in a now-defunct bookstore in Manhattan. Small, glossy books of big, colorful lives, but those earlier editions weren't written by writer celebs, names selling names, at least I can't remember that they were. No matter. What I've learned from reading Jane Smiley here is that Dickens was an amateur actor, and, you know, thinking of his many characters, it makes sense. All his characters would be like ships passing in the night except for their ability to provoke and surprise. Dickens, the writer-actor gave that to us. Now, because of Smiley and Laura's Reviews, I can picture him before his mirror, mumbling. Mimicking.Susan Russo Andersonhttp://susanrussoanderson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-56921607687559158512011-12-15T13:13:15.117-06:002011-12-15T13:13:15.117-06:00I love Jane Smiley as a writer and Charles Dickens...I love Jane Smiley as a writer and Charles Dickens is one of my favorites. To read about him by her...that would be awesome! I had forgotten that she wrote this book so even if I don't win, thanks for reminding me so I can put it on my wishlist!<br /><br />truebookaddictATgmailDOTcomMichelle Stockard Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03572227726980569386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-70489688967885370572011-12-15T05:32:25.125-06:002011-12-15T05:32:25.125-06:00I think it is such an interesting concept to have ...I think it is such an interesting concept to have current authors right about classic, much loved ones. They definitely offer a unique perspective to the writing process and how that effects the rest of a writer's life. Thanks for the giveaway!<br />candc320@gmail.comColleen Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04976640192696124574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-37602530523628034812011-12-14T18:41:33.122-06:002011-12-14T18:41:33.122-06:00Jane Smiley is an excellent writer and I'd rea...Jane Smiley is an excellent writer and I'd read this for that reason alone. I am sure a biography about James Joyce would be compelling as well.<br /><br />Please enter me in this generous giveaway. I will post it in my blog's sidebar. Thanks, Laura!!<br /><br />suko95(at)gmail(dot)comSukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-48835746908818327082011-12-14T16:33:18.403-06:002011-12-14T16:33:18.403-06:00I have always loved Dicken's book so I would b...I have always loved Dicken's book so I would be interested in 'Charles Dickens' by Jane Smiley. I would love to win it.<br /><br />CarolNWong(at)aol.comCarol N Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06873206816286352639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-67458920804830919952011-12-14T16:12:11.452-06:002011-12-14T16:12:11.452-06:00I'm interested in the Dickens because although...I'm interested in the Dickens because although I'm a fan of his work (Bleak House!) I don't know much about the man. And then Joyce - I've heard he's a really interesting character and I'm looking forward to getting to know him better too! These two books look great and I'm glad to see that you liked the Dickens biography.<br />4everoverhead(at)gmail(dot)combrookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01675075918762096305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-87760899925601025412011-12-14T15:10:09.933-06:002011-12-14T15:10:09.933-06:00I have been reading Dickens for many years. This b...I have been reading Dickens for many years. This book sounds incredibly interesting and I would cherish it greatly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)comtravelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06191803578622949052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-61397785339815575462011-12-14T14:28:50.946-06:002011-12-14T14:28:50.946-06:00JaneGS - Jane Smiley references Claire Tomalin'...JaneGS - Jane Smiley references Claire Tomalin's bio, The Invisible Woman several times in this book. She said there are two opposing views depending on the biographer. Tomalin obviously believes Dickens and Ternan were lovers, but other biographers referenced believe that they had a platonic relationship where Dickens held Ternan up as a model of virtue. I personally believe they were lovers.<br /><br />I do need to add The Invisible Woman to my "to-read" list. I loved Claire Tomalin's biography on Jane Austen.Laura's Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13904763940307902364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-88529234784621101422011-12-14T13:56:40.263-06:002011-12-14T13:56:40.263-06:00This series sounds captivating and wonderful. I ha...This series sounds captivating and wonderful. I have always been intrigued by Dicken's writing and his life. What a treasure this would be. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)competitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05326383614079568432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-31438098652734595242011-12-14T13:01:32.107-06:002011-12-14T13:01:32.107-06:00I had not heard of this series prior, but am excit...I had not heard of this series prior, but am excited to check it out. I find the idea of writers exploring writers fascinating and it sounds like these are more then just basic biographies. ssandmoen(AT)yahoo(DOT)comShanna Sandmoenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16133163141060540510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-70270338065298904722011-12-14T13:01:24.468-06:002011-12-14T13:01:24.468-06:00I'm fascinated by authors -- especially classi...I'm fascinated by authors -- especially classic authors. I'm on a quest right now to read through a great many classics, and I'm finding that the ones who are more difficult to enjoy (for me) become much "closer" and more enjoyable, once I know them as people. So, I LOVE reading biographies about classic authors. <br /><br />Thanks for hosting this great giveaway! I can be reached through <a href="http://jillianreadsbooks2.wordpress.com/about/contact/" rel="nofollow">my contact page</a>. Cheers!Jillianhttp://jillianreadsbooks2.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7521348297206014365.post-18316377600878925982011-12-14T12:58:03.535-06:002011-12-14T12:58:03.535-06:00I'm a fan of Penguin Lives myself. The Carole ...I'm a fan of Penguin Lives myself. The Carole Shields bio of Austen is beautiful though not quite accurate in a few details, but still a moving tribute by a gifted writer. <br /><br />I have a mixed relationship with Dickens myself, loving him when I was young, despising him after I read how shabbily he treated his wife and how patronizing he was to Elizabeth Gaskell, but I'm warming up to him again. I think there really isn't any doubt anymore that Nelly Ternan was Dickens' mistress. I can recommend Claire Tomlin's bio of the latter, The Invisible Woman, which lays out the evidence and is sympathetic to Dickens.<br /><br />I would love to win either bio--and have been meaning to get this Dickens one to read in 2012, the 200th anniversary of his birth.<br /><br />Great review of what sounds like a very enjoyable read.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.com