The Big Read V: The Woman in White -- Wilkie Collins

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!

Comments

[sassymonkey]

I liked The Woman in White when I read it last year. I think you'll enjoy it.

[Tom Angleberger]

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.

[Leila]

Oh, excellent. Thanks, Tom -- Librivox is so cool.

[Kelly Fineman]

I've been meaning to read this. Will join in.

[Becky]

I really hope to be able to join in on this one! I had such fun in the first two Big Reads :)

[Ms Avery]

Cool, I love this book! Actually I'm reading it with my boyfriend right now.

[cc]

Yay! I win! God, it totally pays to be a terrible person, doesn't it?

[Elizabeth]

Oh, this book sounds gooooooood.

[Sally]

Ok I've just bought a copy so I am in!

[Sarah I.]

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! :)

[J.S. Peyton]

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. =)

[Gina]

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.

[April (Good Books & Wine)]

I am definitely in with this one! I like how it is spaced out too. :-D

[Aimee]

I think this is destiny. I'll be joining :)

Aimee
http://myflutteringheart.blogspot.com

[mali]

I started this 2 years ago!!! I cannot wait to finish it!! I haven't read a novel In a friggin year!!!

[Aimee]

Mali! Blasphemy!

-Aimee
http://myflutteringheart.blogspot.com

[Mel u]

Count me in-The Woman in White is on my list for a January 2010 read any way!

[Leila]

Oh, hooray! I'm so glad that so many of us will be reading it together. Thanks for joining up!

[Yellow Inkling]

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/

[Leila]

Hooray for 2010!

[Bellezza]

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.

[Leila]

Excellent -- glad to have you!

[Katie]

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

[Lesley]

I haven't done a big read before, but I've been wanting to read this one - count me in! Thanks!

[Anastasia]

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.

[Leila]

Katie, Lesley and Anastasia -- welcome!

[Whitney]

I'm in. I haven't done a read along before so I'm interested to see how it works out!

[tim b]

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).

[Shannan]

I am going to try to read it.

[jennygirl]

Unfortunately I can't join because I have other commitments. I wish you much luck and success.