Monday, 5/12/97 ‘Bleak House’ marathon reading reaps in success
Although long, fund raiser fosters sense of community at UCLA
By Carol McKay Daily Bruin Contributor By five o’clock on Friday
afternoon, the squirrels seemed more entertaining to some English
lovers sitting in the Rolfe Sculpture Garden. At that point,
participants of the second annual Marathon reading of "Bleak House"
had been listening for nearly 31 hours, and yawns were not hard to
spot. The marathon, hosted by the English department, began
Thursday morning at 10 a.m., and went around the clock until
approximately 6:30 p.m. on Friday night. The reading of "Bleak
House," Charles Dickens’ 1853 novel, was divided into almost 400
five-minute time slots shared by students, faculty and members of
the community. "We were worried that we wouldn’t have enough
readers," said Darrin McGraw, a graduate student who served as
co-chair of the marathon. "Some people read more than once, and we
kept thinking we might run out, but we had plenty." The marathon,
which had hoped to surpass last year’s fund-raising of $2,000, did
just that, earning close to four times the amount. Throughout the
course of the marathon, the crowd and seating for the event both
dwindled. By the last chapter of the novel, only approximately 15
people remained. This number was in contrast to the grand finale of
last year’s 24-hour reading of Herman Melville’s "Moby Dick," by
actor Charlton Heston. Students eating or studying at Northern
Lights came in and out during the reading to listen, perhaps
attracted by the special effects and authentic 19th-century
backdrops donated to the event, but many found it difficult to
catch on mid-novel. "I am sad that I didn’t start from the
beginning," said Kirra Steele, a first-year English student who
happened upon the marathon while visiting her teaching assistant.
"I love the idea of the marathon. It really brings reading to life
when it becomes such a communal thing. "But I had no idea what was
going on in the novel when I stopped by, and it was too frustrating
to stay," she said. "I should have started Thursday night," she
added. "If only I didn’t have midterms." Novels chosen for the
marathon are considered not only for their length – more than 20
hours – but also for a compelling storyline to keep readers and
listeners awake. Dickens’ novel centers around the character of
Esther Summerson, an orphan who, after an unhappy childhood, is
taken into the home of her guardian, John Jarndyce of Bleak House.
Although the novel appeared first in a monthly magazine, the first
bound edition appeared in 1853. The novel, set in Victorian London,
was also chosen for its relevancy to modern culture, which includes
a satire of the English legal system and a social critique which
brought its controversy alongside reader popularity. As time –
measured by chapters and pages rather than hours and minutes –
progressed, the rules of the marathon changed. Formalities such as
the conversion of Roman numerals to cardinal chapter numbers were
not strictly enforced late Friday afternoon. And readers found
relief in the chiming of a bell that signalled the end of their
shift. Voices at the marathon ranged from scratchy to resonant,
reflecting the variety of readers at the event. Some voices, such
as that of Kate Mulgrew of "Star Trek: Voyager," John Astin of "The
Addams Family" and his son, Sean Astin, who was in "Encino Man,"
were more familiar than others. Other participants in the reading
included undergraduate and graduate students, department faculty
and staff, members of the sponsor group The Friends of English, and
community volunteers. "You really get a sense of community working
on a project like this," McGraw said. As participants awaited their
turns to read, they hovered near the podium, seated at a chair
labeled "on deck." At the chiming of the bell, the current reader
would stop mid-sentence, oftentimes hurried off-stage by the next
reader. Water awaited tired throats, sometimes healing dryness and
other times merely preparing for another shift. Organizers of the
event were proud of the results of this annual event. "We’ve got
close to $8,000 in hand, and probably even more with checks in the
mail," McGraw said. Money was raised through the sponsorship of
readers, business headquarters and local merchants. According to
McGraw, the LA Times and General Mills were two of many sponsors.
Funds will be used for student financial support, including student
research grants and travel fellowships. JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS "Star
Trek: Voyager" actress Kate Mulgrew was among many who read part of
Charles Dickens’ "Bleak House" for the fund raiser. Related Links
Welcome to Bleak House at UCLA