Letter 1: MISS ANNA HOWE TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
January 10
I am extremely concerned, my dearest friend, for the disturbances that have happened in your family. I know how it must hurt you to become the subject of the public talk; and yet upon an ocassion so generally known it is impossible but that whatever relates to a young lady, whose distinguished merits have made her the public care, should engage everybody's attention. I long to have the particulars from yourself, and of the usage I am told you receive upon an accident you could not help and in which, as far as I can learn, the sufferer was the aggressor.
Clarissa
by Samuel Richardson
Our year-long project now underway. Many brave readers have decided to join in as Terri and I read all 537 letters (1500 pages) around the dates they were written. Full details can be found here and here. Would you like to read along?
Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea.
I am already enjoying this. It's so interesting to me that Clarissa is drawn in such an interesting way -- she isn't all syrupy, especially when it comes to her feelings about her siblings. Can't wait to discuss the January letters!
ReplyDeleteWhat a commitment! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteStill bummed about my copy being Pamela not Clarissa but I hope you guys have a great time!!! Surely it's better than Ulysses or Brothers Karamzov--or even Wuthering Heights? ;)
ReplyDeleteOh -- ohman -- I kind of think I might desperately need to participate!! I've always wanted to read this and the idea of reading the letters in 'real time' so to speak is super cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat a daunting project. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating sounding group read; enjoy yourselves.
ReplyDeleteBegan reading this last night, great idea to read it along with the dates, may take me a few letters to fully get used to ye oldee style writing.
ReplyDeleteLike I said in an earlier post, I'm reading this in April. Just wanted to pop in and wish you luck! :-D
ReplyDeleteMight have to read it vicariously through you...but that will be fun!
ReplyDeleteI would love to join but not this time around. Am hoping that you will post a snippet of a letter every now and again for us???!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm finding it wonderfully direct so far, and brilliantly well observed bit of psychology. Burning to talk about it.
ReplyDeleteI have never read this book, but I read one like it, Evelina, and while I enjoyed it at the time, I don't think I'd read it again. So wordy! But I hope you have fun with this one :-)
ReplyDeleteI lodge in Grub Street - This is going to be a fun book to discuss
ReplyDeleteAarti - I've been curious about Evelina! We'll see how Clarissa goes before I make any further plans;-)
I read Evelina in a big read over the summer, it was an entertaining and funny read, though fell apart a little at the end.
ReplyDeleteI lodge in Grub Street - Have never had a great desire to read Evelina, but am really enjoying Clarissa so far. Finished the January letters this week.
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