geo wrote:Chris, WildCityWoman suggested reading Dickens' The Mystery of Edmund Drood (on another thread) and I agree. I'm about a third into it and it's typical Dickens in many respects. Dense with flowery language and lots of British colloquialisms. Fortunately, this edition has extensive notes. I'm still fairly new here and I have yet to participate in a fiction discussion, but I would certainly enjoy a discussion of this book.

The Mystery of Edmund Drood is Dickens' unfinished last novel. It was only about halfway completed when the author died.



Here's the Amazon link.

http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Edwin-Dro ... 625&sr=1-1

Edwin Drood is contracted to marry Orphan Rosa, but they break the engagement off-and soon afterwards Edwin disappears. Is it murder? And is his jealous uncle-a sinister choirmaster with a double life and designs on Rosa-the killer? Dickens died before completing the story, leaving the mystery unsolved and encouraging successive generations of readers to turn detective. In addition to its tantalizing crime, the novel also offers a characteristically Dickensian mix of the fantastical world of the imagination and a vibrantly journalistic depiction of gritty reality.

This edition features a new critical introduction that assesses the evidence to show whether the mystery can truly be solved, as well as a chronology, illustrations, appendixes (including one on opium use in the nineteenth century).

Edited with an introduction and notes by David Paroissien.

If the Dickens doesn't grab your interest, might I suggest a very different kind of book. The Keep by Jennifer Egan. I've read this one and I can heartily recommend it. It's also a relatively short book and is the kind of book that would generate discussion.



Here's the Amazon link for that one.

http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Jennifer-Ega ... 854&sr=1-2

In Jennifer Egan's deliciously creepy new novel, two cousins reunite twenty years after a childhood prank gone wrong changed their lives and sent them on their separate ways. "Cousin Howie," the formerly uncool, strange, and pasty ("he looked like a guy the sun wouldn't touch") cousin has become a blond, tan, and married millionaire with a generous spirit. He invites his cousin Danny (who as an insecure teenager left him hurt and helpless in a cave for three days) to help him renovate an old castle in Germany. To reveal too much would ruin the story, just know that The Keep is a wonderfully weird read--a touch experimental in terms of narrative, with a hefty dose of gothic tension and mystery--balanced by an intimate and mesmerizing look at how the past haunts us in different ways. --Daphne Durham