wilkes

I am also ready for the next book selection.

We'll start a new book as soon as I get the selection from the next club member on the list.

Thanks for reading The Lamplighter. I hope everyone found some insight or enjoyment from reading it.

I think it is time to put closure on the Lamplighter also.

I had to sit this one out. Just curious if we're at the point that we'd like to move on to another book yet? I'm ready and willing!

Hi everyone,
I only heard from one person about getting together to discuss this book. I realize a book group is not on the top of everyone's list of priorities (not even mine) but without discussion, we are just a few people that happen to be reading the same book at the same time.

Please give me some feedback either via PM or on this thread.

Thanks,
Jessica

I'd like to get together for discussion on Thursday or Friday of next week. If you are available on either of those days, please post or pm me and let me know which day/time is better for you.
I am leaving to go on vacation tomorrow morning, but I will check when I get back and then post a definite meeting time/date.

Thanks everyone!

Jessica

Still reading.

I would like to meet as well. Tuesday's and Wednesday's are the worst days for me though.

I would like to meet and talk, just let me know a week or two ahead of time so I can cover my lunch at work.

We aren't getting many responses posted. Do you all want to schedule an in-person meeting? I haven't had a good response for those either, but I am willing to try again! Please post below if you want to meet in person to discuss TL.

Thanks, Jessica

I have just now finished the book. Any plans on meeting for discussion?

Have a great night.

Considering that it was among the first books to be written especially for a female audience, and that the author assumes a certain (advanced) level of literacy on the part of that audience, yes, I think it is an important work. As for it's bestseller status, well it seems to follow that a work of literature aimed at a large,neglected audience would become a best seller.
Are bestsellers necessarily a literary achievment? Well, look at the current list of best sellers, and compare them with what our teachers told us was "Literature". Do the descriptions of things from current bestsellers resonate within our minds? Are the characters like us? Does the author make us believe in them? Are there portions of the book that we could quote? Or is it just a thrilling page turner to see what happens next?
To my modern sensibilities, "The Lamplighter", seems too sentimental, until I remember that this was a common style of writing at that time, and that delicate manners were more important then. While I was reading the first half of the book, I expected a "happily ever after" resolution, but the author seems intent on keeping our herione true to life, facing and overcoming crisis, and transfoming herself in the process. however, I'm not quite finished yet, and I want to see what happens next.

The Lamplighter was published in 1854 and was hugely popular, second only to Uncle Tom's Cabin. Many literary critics hailed it as
"chick lit" to use a phrase more common in our time. They also used it's popularity among the masses as a strike against it's literary value. Do you think it earned it's popularity or do you find it to be archaic "chick lit"? Does the same still hold true today with literature? Is a bestseller necessarily a literary achievement? What is your overall opinion of The Lamplighter? Should it be brought back out as a must-read or should it be shelved back with the obscure literature of its time never to be seen again?

These questions should get us started. Please add your own questions or comments regarding the book. I'm interested to hear opinions!