It's the funniest novel Charles Dickens ever wrote, with more twists and turns than Great Expectations. It's also the last novel he completed in his lifetime, and an undisputed masterpiece — a satire on money and what it does to people. 

It begins with a mysterious body being discovered in the River Thames, and the murder investigation that ensues.  

We will read Our Mutual Friend at a pace of about 40 pages per week, in the same installments as it was originally published in 1864 and 1865. Along the way, we'll gather weekly on Monday nights to talk about the historical context, the author's life, and the latest pages we've just read.

Look forward to a sprawling but propulsive tale of twists, intrigue, blackmail, buried treasure, and Dickensian eccentrics, including a taxidermist named Mr. Venus, a schoolmaster named Bradley Headstone, a disabled girl named Jenny who makes dresses for dolls, a miser named Mr. Boffin who owns a trash heap he suspects is full of buried treasure, and a young striver named Bella Wilfer who is only interested "money, money, money, and what money can make of life."

You don't need to read anything before our first meeting. On our first night together, we'll learn about a near-death experience Charles Dickens had on a train while he was writing Our Mutual Friend, and the big secret in his personal life that stayed secret until 50 years after Dickens's own death.

Who is leading this club?

Christopher Frizzelle is the founder of FrizzLit and the editor and publisher of FrizzLit Editions. He was the editor-in-chief of The Stranger from 2007 to 2016. In 2009, he invented the Silent Reading Party, inspiring a worldwide trend. 

What to read before the first meeting

Nothing! You do not need to read anything before our first meeting. Come ready to hear about the near-death experience Dickens had on a train while writing Our Mutual Friend. 

All meetings are recorded

They will be sent to your email address within 48 hours of each meeting.

What edition of the book to get

Frizzelle will be reading the Modern Library paperback edition (shown top left) but the Penguin edition (shown top right) or any other edition you can get your hands on works great! 

Art

Charles Dickens portrait splendidly illustrated by Kathryn Rathke

Join in installments

Instead of committing to all 20 weeks up front, you can sign up in installements and pay as you go: