The impending visit by storm Dennis determined that we batten down the hatches and stay indoors.
In the event the morning was quite mild so Jackie ventured out to Everton Nursery to purchase a couple of
double hellebores that she had heard they were stocking. One even held up its head at the prospect of being photographed.
I occupied myself reading more of The Pickwick Papers, from which
here are another half dozen of Charles Keeping’s splendid drawings. I will write more when I have finished the book, but this illustration of Sam Weller labouring over a love letter epitomises the artist’s adherence to the author’s description, even to the extent of resting his head on his left arm in his efforts to follow his letters across the page. (It may be helpful for anyone reading the text accompanying this illustration to know that ‘mother-in-law’ is an archaic term for stepmother).
This evening we dined on fine fusion fare consisting of tasty tempera prawns; a rack of pork ribs doused in plum sauce; savoury rice jam-packed with finely chopped omelette and vegetables; and tender mange-toutes, followed by moist and crunchy baklavas, with which the Culinary Queen drank Peroni and I drank Clos des Batuts Cahors 2017.
Wonderful illustrations – he has really captured the characters beautifully. I love Dickens, have just finished reading Great Exp (about the twentieth reading for me) to my two eldest 🙂
Thanks very much, Tiny. I enjoyed that one, too.
Great Expectations is my Dickens favorite–although A Christmas Carol runs a close second.
Oh yes … Christmas Carol makes an appearance every December here 🙂 x
It does, indeed.
🙂
Lovely hellebores. I’ve just heard the first heavy rain here. Glad to be snug indoors… Enjoy your reading and the illustrations, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Helen.
I really am enjoying these Pickwick illustrations.
That’s very satisfying, Anne. Many thanks
So enjoying the illustrations.
I’m pleased, Sheree. Thank you very much.
The drawings of Charles Keeping, are indeed splendid with wonderfully expressive detail…. thank you Derrick for sharing these drawings…
I’m pleased you like them, Ivor. Thank you very much.
I do love Mr Pickwick!! I agree with you, the illustrations are superb – it’s not often you see such adherence to the written description. Stay safe!
Thanks very much, Pauline. So far not as bad as the last storm.
Good point about adherence to the written description!
Thanks, Liz
Mrs Raddle is very well named if the sketch is anything to go by. 🙂 Your dinner sounds delicious.
Thanks very much, Sylvia. She is. Dickens has fun with names. 🙂
Very edgy art. I like it.
Thanks very much, Sherry
I agree that the art is edgy. Good point.
You chose a good occupation for a dull day. The illustrations are really delightful.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
Tootlepeddle, now there’s a name Dickens would have loved.
He would, indeed.
Those illustrations are amazing! I am enjoying them so much! 🙂
I was thinking of some Dickens’ quotes the other day. His writing is so intelligent, vivid, fun, etc! 🙂 I love reading him!
How was the storm?
Stay safe and warm!
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…”Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism, are all very good words for the lips: especially prunes and prism.” – Charles Dickens
Storm continues until midday tomorrow. Perhaps not quite as bad as Ciara. Nice quotation. Thanks very much, Carolyn X
The illustrations are stunning.
Thanks very much, Gary
In addition to the illustrations, I also liked the look of your dinner.
You have good taste, Liz. Thank you very much.
🙂
The illustrations are well done! Nothing like a good book and a fine dinner on a stormy day. 🙂
Thank you very much, Lavinia.
A good book on a dreary day is the best. Beautiful flower choice by Jackie!
Thank you very much, Jill.
I am trying to diet and you have made me sooooo hungry first with the photo and then your description of your meal. You should be writing copy for restaurants!!!
🙂 Sorry, Judy. Thanks very much.
Hope you weather is better tomorrow
Thanks a lot, Mrs W. Not as bad as last time.
Good. Have a wonderful week
I have enlarged the images to enjoy every detail of these fabulous illustrations. Thank you for posting them, Derrick.
My compliments to the Culinary Queen for an interesting and quite appetizing combination of foods,
Thank you very much from us both, Dolly.
You are both very welcome, Derrick.
Sounds like a good day, Derrick. Those Hellebores are beautiful and you make me want to read Dickens again! What great illustrations.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
So beautiful that double hellebores ? And that dinner….super delicious ?
Thank you very much, Ribana
The one thing I never really understood about Dickens is the use of a “w” for a “v”. Sam Weller, for example, says “Walentine” and “Wery”.
I think it vas the wernacular, John. Many thanks.
Charles Keeping has a splendid way with pen and line – marvelous illustrator, I did enjoy this selection. Beautiful hellebores too.
Thank you very much, Peggy.
A good way to pass a stormy day and your supper looks and sounds delicious.
The morning here was like yours the calm before the storm.
Once again, the driving rain caused wet carpets and again found its way through the extractor fan in the guest bathroom and dripped into the kitchen.
Everyone was out yesterday so I spent my time going around the house looking for leaks and mopping up.
Clearer skies this morning but still very windy.
Dammit. Thanks very much, Sue
Ugh, that’s not nice news, Sue.
The house has no windbreaks, no shelter and with such constant heavy rain being blown into the south-west corner it didn’t stand a chance in these storms.
I hope that storm has blown itself out by now, Sue. We humans are puny beings, in the face of nature, eh?
🙁
Wery excellent post, Derrick. Wery tasty repast the Mistress prepared.
🙂 Thanks wery much Ywonne.
You are velcome.
It seems you’re getting hit with more storms this year?
We are, indeed. Thanks a lot, GP
A good book and good food help when you’re stuck inside because of a storm!
Thanks very much, Merril.
I have tried, I have tried very hard but I really do not get Dickens!
There are plenty more books, Andrew. Thanks very much
The illustration of Mrs Raddle is extraordinary.
It is – and fits the author’s description. Thanks very much, Libre
Never read “Pickwick Papers.” Need to add it to the tottering TBR pile. 😉 And, wow, that was quite a meal.
Thanks very much, Laurie. More than 700 pages.
Well, then. Maybe not. 😉
Those Charles Keeping illustrations are wonderful! My elder daughter bought me a boxed set of DVDs of BBC adaptations of Dickens novels. (Too many of’s in that sentence!) The 1985 adaptation of Pickwick with Nigel Stock in 12 (!) episodes is very good.
Thanks very much, Clare. At least your ‘ofs’ are not superfluous, as in the ‘all of’ now so widely used.
Hope you are doing well. I’ve been catching up on your posts. 🙂
I have a recent post on Asemic Tarot blog that has a parataxis prose poem that is in part derived from dialogue from Pickwick. Thought it might amuse you. https://asemictarot.wordpress.com/2022/02/26/asemic-tarot-85/
I am OK, Joseph. Thanks for the link, which I enjoyed failing to understand