Holy cow, I can't believe I've gearing up for the fifth Big Read. Although maybe I shouldn't count BRIV, as I totally bailed on it. But I do count BRI, BRII and BRIII as complete successes. And it would be confusing to use the same number twice. So.
There was a bit of dissent, and I did give it quite a bit of thought. Ultimately, I decided to go with my first choice.
For The Big Read V, I (and any of you who would like to join me) will be reading Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White.
Why did I decide to go with it? Two reasons.
First, I want to re-read it. And, you know. My house, my rules. Second (and far more importantly), I'm kind of scared of CC.
So. This is the schedule I'll be following:
January 6: The First Epoch: The Story Begun by Walter Hartright, Chapters I-VIII
January 8: Walter Hartright, Chapters IX-XV
January 11: The Story Continued by Vincent Gilmore; The Story Continued by Marian Halcombe
January 13: The Second Epoch: The Story Continued by Marian Halcombe, Chapters I-V
January 15: Marian Halcombe, Chapters VI-X; Postscript
January 18: The Story Continued by Frederick Fairlie, Esq.; The Story Continued by Eliza Michelson
January 20: The Story Continued in Several Narratives (This is a really short section, which will allow for any needed catching up.)
January 22: The Third Epoch: The Story Continued by Walter Hartright, Chapters I-VI
January 25: Walter Hartright, Chapters VII-XI
January 27: The Story Continued by Mrs. Catherick; The Story Continued by Walter Hartright, Chapters I-VII
January 29: The Story Continued by Isidor, Ottavio, Baldassare Fosco; The Story Concluded by Walter Hartright, Chapters I-III
If you'd like to read along with me, awesome! If you'd like to blog along with me, even more awesome -- when you post, just let me know so I can compile a list of links as I've done in the past.
I'm going to use a library copy (or my own if I can find one up in the attic), but it's in the public domain, so it's available at Project Gutenberg and other places online, and I'm sure there are bazillions of used copies for sale at all of the usual places.
I'm looking forward to this one -- I hope there's a lot of conversation!
I liked The Woman in White when I read it last year. I think you'll enjoy it.
Posted by: sassymonkey | 08 December 2009 at 04:41 PM
I just wanted to mention that there's a mostly excellent audio vesion available for free at librivox.org.
Some very talented amateur readers donated their time and the result is quite professional. I'm finishing it up now. The voice of Hartwright is terrific! And Count Fosco's part is read with relish.
Posted by: Tom Angleberger | 08 December 2009 at 06:49 PM
Oh, excellent. Thanks, Tom -- Librivox is so cool.
Posted by: Leila | 08 December 2009 at 06:52 PM
I've been meaning to read this. Will join in.
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | 08 December 2009 at 07:41 PM
I really hope to be able to join in on this one! I had such fun in the first two Big Reads :)
Posted by: Becky | 08 December 2009 at 10:39 PM
Cool, I love this book! Actually I'm reading it with my boyfriend right now.
Posted by: Ms Avery | 09 December 2009 at 05:32 AM
Yay! I win! God, it totally pays to be a terrible person, doesn't it?
Posted by: cc | 09 December 2009 at 08:45 AM
Oh, this book sounds gooooooood.
Posted by: Elizabeth | 09 December 2009 at 09:33 AM
Ok I've just bought a copy so I am in!
Posted by: Sally | 09 December 2009 at 10:23 AM
Hmmm, tempting. I just got a copy of this in the mail, sent on from a blogging friend who just finished it. Everyone seems to be reading it these days. Maybe it's my turn - and I've wanted to do a big read with you in the past. Maybe it's fate. All right, fine - sign me up! :)
Posted by: Sarah I. | 09 December 2009 at 10:37 AM
I love "The Woman in White!" You'll have a great time with this read-along. It's a great book. I won't participate, since I'll probably be working my way through another Collins book, but I hope you have a lot of fun. =)
Posted by: J.S. Peyton | 09 December 2009 at 12:54 PM
I signed up for the serialized version that's being sent out weekly from here:
http://www.womaninwhite.co.uk/
I had already read it, but I just like getting serialized novels via e-mail. :-)
I'll be interested to read your take on it.
Posted by: Gina | 09 December 2009 at 03:15 PM
I am definitely in with this one! I like how it is spaced out too. :-D
Posted by: April (Good Books & Wine) | 09 December 2009 at 05:33 PM
I think this is destiny. I'll be joining :)
Aimee
http://myflutteringheart.blogspot.com
Posted by: Aimee | 09 December 2009 at 11:55 PM
I started this 2 years ago!!! I cannot wait to finish it!! I haven't read a novel In a friggin year!!!
Posted by: mali | 10 December 2009 at 05:42 PM
Mali! Blasphemy!
-Aimee
http://myflutteringheart.blogspot.com
Posted by: Aimee | 10 December 2009 at 06:58 PM
Count me in-The Woman in White is on my list for a January 2010 read any way!
Posted by: Mel u | 12 December 2009 at 06:58 PM
Oh, hooray! I'm so glad that so many of us will be reading it together. Thanks for joining up!
Posted by: Leila | 14 December 2009 at 01:37 PM
I've been wanting to do a Big Read since The Big Read III. I think 2010 is finally my year. I'm in!
-Jes
http://www.yellowinkling.com/
Posted by: Yellow Inkling | 14 December 2009 at 03:25 PM
Hooray for 2010!
Posted by: Leila | 14 December 2009 at 03:37 PM
Count me in, too. I loved The Woman In White when I read it about 20 years ago, and I've been longing to read it again especially with all I've seen reviewed as it bounces along us book bloggers. I think this is a wonderful choice! I'll be posting about it on my blog within a day or so.
Posted by: Bellezza | 15 December 2009 at 11:11 AM
Excellent -- glad to have you!
Posted by: Leila | 15 December 2009 at 11:15 AM
I've been wanting to read this book for ages. And I've been wanting to try a read-(and possibly blog)-along. So, yeah, I'm totally in.
http://swelldame.wordpress.com
Posted by: Katie | 15 December 2009 at 01:44 PM
I haven't done a big read before, but I've been wanting to read this one - count me in! Thanks!
Posted by: Lesley | 16 December 2009 at 11:01 PM
I'm totally in! I noticed how everyone seemed to love TWIW when they read it for the RIP IV challenge, so I want to get in on that action, too.
Posted by: Anastasia | 18 December 2009 at 08:29 AM
Katie, Lesley and Anastasia -- welcome!
Posted by: Leila | 18 December 2009 at 09:54 AM
I'm in. I haven't done a read along before so I'm interested to see how it works out!
Posted by: Whitney | 23 December 2009 at 02:40 PM
In the course of working on some sketches this fall, I did a Moonstone/Woman in White double-header on Librivox. As mentioned above, their WiW is great (Moonstone not so much although i have to say that I like the latter book better).
Posted by: tim b | 23 December 2009 at 09:08 PM
I am going to try to read it.
Posted by: Shannan | 31 December 2009 at 04:53 PM
Unfortunately I can't join because I have other commitments. I wish you much luck and success.
Posted by: jennygirl | 03 January 2010 at 07:52 PM