“The Invisible Library is a collection of books that only appear in other books. Within the library’s catalog you will find imaginary books, pseudobiblia, artifictions, fabled tomes, libris phantastica, and all manner of books unwritten, unread, unpublished, and unfound.” I’ve only looked through a few titles, but my favorite so far: De pelendis mascarendisque cardinalium […]
Okay, since it’s clear not too many people finished Vanity Fair, what else have you been reading? Or do you folks only have time for reading PF blogs? I just finished Fun Home, an autobiographical book-length comic by Alison Bechdel. Fun Home is dark. Very dark. But I looooved it. There’s a section where Bechdel […]
I thought one thread that listed all the discussion topics for the book would be helpful, as well as providing a central place for people to comment on the book as we move on to something else. Feel free to comment as you can! Chapters 1 – 10 Chapters 11 – 20 Chapters 21 – […]
A thread for discussing the movie Vanity Fair. Feel free to comment on the movie if you haven’t read the book. Compare, contrast, deconstruct, or just say thumbs up or down. If you’ve read the book, how did you like the changes/additions/omissions? You can also visit the Vanity Fair movie website (link dead?) which has […]
We reach the end of the book, and the end of many characters. While many resolutions are happy, not everything may be satisfying. Post your thoughts on these chapters in the comments. I’ll have a general Vanity Fair post soon that provides links to the previous posts, which I hope will be the place for […]
Our next book has been chosen and it is Jane Austen’s first book: Northanger Abbey. Written in 1798 but not published until 1818 (after her death), it is a satire on over-the-top Gothic novels that were popular at the time. Like Don Quixote, it has lived longer than the literature it satirized. Another common Austen […]
Much happens in these chapters. From Lord Steyne, Rawdon and Becky’s unplanned meeting to Jos and Dobbin returning home, much is resolved here. Leave a comment on what you think about Thackeray’s settlement on many of these issues. We’re approaching the end here, for better or worse. I’ll set up a thread at the end […]
I’m a little behind the schedule. I’m halfway through chapter 36. And I just went to the library today and got more books. My problem is I keep getting sidetracked and reading other books in between. But I’m still plodding along. I just can’t quite keep up and don’t have much to say on here. […]
I’m changing the schedule one more time (see sidebar for update), adding another week. Things have been hectic for me with the new baby, plus this chapter makes a good place to end one discussion and start the next. So in this stretch we see diverse locations (from India to the court of George IV) […]
I must have goofed in only having 4 chapters listed for this week. But I’ll go with the schedule as listed—not like anyone will care. Post-Waterloo, we follow the fortunes (or lack thereof) of the many families. Add your comments on what you like or dislike about the book so far.
Have you thought of other books while reading Vanity Fair? It is very rich in allusions and references, but the period of time and subjects it covers reminds me of several other works. Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma: While I was a little underwhelmed with the overall book, the Waterloo scene was fairly funny as […]
Here are a couple of ideas, trying to indulge Chrees’ preference for literature 100+ years old. Northanger Abbey by Austen. Something else by Austen?Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Who else has ideas? We’re looking for something much shorter for next time. Claire
Where we follow the non-heroes and the rest of England to the Continent to face Napoleon and see the aftereffects of Waterloo. Post your thoughts, favorite parts, characters you hate, etc. in the comments!
So as you’re reading through the book, do you find your attitude toward Becky changing? Do you like her more, less, or the same? Just curious as to your reactions toward her…
In which we follow our (non-)heroes through family changes and the prelude to Waterloo. Post your thoughts in the comments!
Please note the change in the Vanity Fair discussion timetable in the right sidebar. Claire and I decided to push things one week so those that were interested can catch up. I will still post on Chapters 20-29 later today (assuming work’s internet connection issues are resolved), but we’ll wait two weeks before covering all […]
Can we just talk about the character names? Some of my favorites: The law firm of Hulker, Bullock and BullockMrs. Rougemont, the actressSir Huddleston FuddlestonSir Giles Wapshot and the Misses Wapshot Most of them are not very subtle, which I appreciate. Even “Miss Sharp” is a very telling name.
The travails of Becky Sharpe and Amelia Sedley continue, with the threat of Napoleon on the horizon. Use the comments to add your thoughts on Vanity Fair through Chapter 20 (no spoilers from beyond that chapter, please). Thanks for the comments and interest shown so far!
In the comments I post some topics I find interesting in Chapters 11 through 20. I’m avoiding spoilers, so feel free to read the comments as you get to these chapters. Add comments with topics you find interesting. I hope this helps spur some discussion!
In which we follow Becky Sharp from Chiswick to Russell Square, then to Queen’s Crawley. Dive into the comments and share your thoughts on the book so far! Again, I’d ask you not to reveal anything that happens beyond the tenth chapter. If you haven’t read all ten chapters yet and you wish to avoid […]