Charles Dickens Book Club: "Great Expectations"

Great Expectations is Dickens at his page-turning best. 

It starts in a graveyard on Christmas Eve in 1812. The orphan Pip is visiting the graves of his family. Suddenly, a man lunges at him from out of the darkness — an escaped convict, who's starving. He grabs Pip and threatens to kill him if he doesn't bring him something to eat. 

Thus begins Great Expectations, a riveting classic full of twists you don't see coming and characters you will never forget, including Miss Havisham and her daughter Estella, Joe Gargery and Mrs. Joe Gargery, Abel Magwitch, and Pip himself.

We will meet for one hour only, sharing favorite sentences and characters, and talking about writing and how Dickens does it.

Are meetings recorded?

Yes. All meetings are recorded and emailed out automatically to everyone who's signed up—so if you miss any of the meetings, you won't miss anything. 

Who is leading this book club?

Christopher Frizzelle, the Seattle-based founder of FrizzLit, and Audrey Van Buskirk, the Portland-based writer and editor. They led the Dickens Christmas club together last year. 

Which edition of the book are we reading?

We are reading this edition. If you get that, you'll have the same page numbers as everyone else during discussions. That said, if you have another copy you prefer, or if you'd like to check one out from your local library, that works too.

What do I need to read before the first meeting?

Nothing. There is no reading assignment to finish before our first meeting. Expect to learn about the interesting publication backstory to Great Expectations and also about how the Dickens family celebrated the holidays. 

Is financial assistance available?

Yes. If you would like to join this class but price is a barrier, sponsorship funds are available to help make it possible. Please apply here.

Donations encouraged

If you choose to pay extra, you are automatically making a donation to the financial assistance fund. Thank you for making this class accessible to people who would not be able to afford it otherwise.

Art

Splendidly illustrated by Kathryn Rathke