Letters & Libations Week 1
In which we begin our epic Clarissa read-along…
Hello friends,
Welcome to our year long read of the longest novel in the English language, Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa. As many of you know, we plan to read each of the novel’s letters on the date it is given in the book. The first beginning today, the tenth of January. Before we get started, I’d like to say a big thank you to all of you, for offering your support on this journey! And, if you’re just stopping by, there’s still time to join us by subscribing below.
I hope we can use this space for some enjoyable and informal chat about the novel, to keep each other motivated in difficult times, and to share and celebrate this monumental achievement! I plan to write a short post each Friday morning,* opening up the chat about the letters we’ve read that week. Feel free to comment with your thoughts and feelings, reply to each other, create new threads and take the chat wherever it leads.
Some of you have already made introductions on Instagram, but with a few of us joining from Twitter too, please do say hello and get to know each other. Keep in mind that the chat is public so don’t share anything too personal! Maybe we could share some thoughts on the first letter?
I’m sure we’re in for an interesting ride. Even Richardson’s Preface to the novel is fraught with controversy when viewed through twenty-first century eyes. Defending the characterisation of his rakish gentlemen, he celebrates their complexity avowing that they are neither, “infidels or scoffers,” who still manage to, “preserve a decency,” in both image and language.
I’m already uncomfortable. Let the read-along begin!
*The next post will land in your inboxes on 20th January, when we’ve had chance to read a few letters.
If you would like to join us for this epic Clarissa read-along, please subscribe and add the Letters & Libations section in your Substack subscription settings.
Image is ‘Group portrait in a landscape with an amorous couple’ by Nicolas Lancret, 1737.
Well, I’m in and already surprised by the start! More blood and blades than I was expecting. Bearing in mind, however, that my expectations were based on dim memories of the early part of Pamela, it’s not surprising that I was surprised.
I've tried Clarissa before and was defeated after 400 pages or so. I'm a huge fan of 18th Century books, I volunteer at the Dr Johnson Museum in London and like to think myself a pretty resilient reader - but I was worn down before. I think taking the year of the book to read it is a great idea.
From my memory of the beginning, it's quite pacy and the characters are intriguing. It gets tough when the characters keep revisiting and regurgitating the points they've already made over hundreds of pages. But while it's fresh and fun, I hope we all enjoy and I hope we make it out the other side.