risingdawn Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 I'm reading A Christmas Carol right now. Only a few pages in and it seems alright so far. I'm not entirely sure what's going on yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lau_Lou Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 A Christmas Carol is a beautiful, haunting story. Everybody knows that one whether they've read the book or seen one of the many adaptations. I think The Chimes is even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booknutt Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 The Chimes is certainly scarier in my opinion, Lau Lou! I do love the film's and novel of a C.C. . Maybe familiarity cushions the scariness, though?? Enjoy your Dickens reading L L. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Possibly because we were force fed Dickens at my school, I have a deep aversion to his works. I can understand why people revere them, and have no wish to argue, each to their own; but for me, just the mention of his name brings down a curtain of boring tedium in my mind. If you like them, then enjoy them. Sadly, not for me though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KEV67 Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I have read the following: Great Expectations Hard Times A Christmas Carol A Tale of Two Cities Oliver Twist Bleak House David Copperfield So far I have liked Great Expectations the best, followed by Bleak House. I find him patchy, but there is usually some great writing in there somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Denny Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I'd suggest The Pickwick Papers (Dickens's first novel) . It starts off a bit silly (Dickens was criticised at the time), but once it gets into its stride and Dickens develops Mr Pickwick's character it becomes a wonderfully entertaining picaresque - with its dark episodes (Dickens was all too familiar with the reality of imprisonment in a debtors' prison, for instance), his satirical, knowledgeable and (to me, at any rate!) fascinating depictions of legal practice in the 1830s - and Dickens is responsible for our romantic ideas about stagecoaches. Here they are, in their reality, not always romantic (he was writing, as a young man, at the end of the stagecoach era, and they never again get so much attention in his books). Anyway, I think you'll love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angury Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I am very tempted to start reading Dickens this year. From what I've heard about his writing style (verbose & detailed) I think I would enjoy his novels. Do you guys think his novels are the types of works which stay with you after you've finished them? In other words, do they reflect things about humanity/society that make you see the present world in a different way? Perhaps a bit of an odd question, but am very curious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayley Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 @Angury Personally I would say yes, definitely. All the Dickens novels that I've read have some kind of specific social criticism, but as Dickens was very anti-Utilitarian, they also always have a focus on the importance of the individual. Simple acts of kindness are often shown to have a sort of ripple effect, influencing the way things turn out in a big way. They're hopeful novels, telling us that even though there are terrible things and horrible people in the world, there are also kind and misunderstood people, and that you can make a big difference in the world just by being one of the good people. Hard Times is probably my favourite in terms of the social criticism. It mainly looks at why we need imagination and fancy, not just fact and science, but it's also about class imbalances and has a pretty scathing portrayal of nineteenth century divorce laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angury Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 On 12/31/2018 at 8:24 PM, Hayley said: @Angury Personally I would say yes, definitely. All the Dickens novels that I've read have some kind of specific social criticism, but as Dickens was very anti-Utilitarian, they also always have a focus on the importance of the individual. Simple acts of kindness are often shown to have a sort of ripple effect, influencing the way things turn out in a big way. They're hopeful novels, telling us that even though there are terrible things and horrible people in the world, there are also kind and misunderstood people, and that you can make a big difference in the world just by being one of the good people. Hard Times is probably my favourite in terms of the social criticism. It mainly looks at why we need imagination and fancy, not just fact and science, but it's also about class imbalances and has a pretty scathing portrayal of nineteenth century divorce laws. This is exactly what I was looking for - thanks Hayley! I will add Dickens to my growing list of books to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmeagain Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 Dickens often..... everywhere from Sketches by Boz to Bleak House....lambasts charity and specifically self appointed helpers and self styled humanitarian help that is riddled with hypocrisy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayley Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 16 hours ago, itsmeagain said: Dickens often..... everywhere from Sketches by Boz to Bleak House....lambasts charity and specifically self appointed helpers and self styled humanitarian help that is riddled with hypocrisy. Yes, Bleak House has such a good example of this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmeagain Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Thanks Hayley. I forget the name of the woman philanthropist in Bleak House, who he lampoons for hypocrisy, meanness of spirit, and absolutely base cruelty too. Puts me in mind of the risks of charity in general, when I read of the Oxfam abuse revelations etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Finished my first ever Dickens this week, in the form of A Christmas Carol, which I got as a free download from Amazon on my Kindle a while back. I enjoyed it, but I read it in fits and starts so I don't think I got the most out of it (getting back into the language took a few pages each time). I think I will try this again next year and actually read it in the run up to Christmas rather than starting it on Christmas Eve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booknutt Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Actually, you're not too late finishing "Carol" this week Raven. We had 12th Night on Sunday 6th (Epiphany) and it's the Baptism of the Lord day on the 13th, so actually you were still within the traditional Christmas period.😀 It's only in what we call "real life" that everything disappears with new year. 😕 Yes, give C.C. another read a bit earlier maybe, next year. I read it, or watch at least one of the films every year. Scrooge may be a miser but he's courageous too, and honest enough to acknowledge the worst in himself, and actually do something about it when the Spirits shake him out of his rut. Dickens dropped a hint to his readers through the story for us to care more for each other in life. Like back then, it seems to work mostly in spasms nowadays, too. Happy New Year everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmeagain Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 A tale of two cities I found to be a dreadful read, disjointed, badly explained, and a Mish mash of seemingly unconnected events during the French Revolution. Dull, insufferably dull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booknutt Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Yes, I have to say it's one that I found very - with apologies - boring! Whether it was the change of country, the characters, the subject, the executions themselves not a topic for Dickens usual irreverent humour. I couldn't bond with it at all. Even the message of "making a sacrifice for love" had an edge - the most unkind one! Still, there are bound to be one or two out of the choice available which we will dislike. That leaves plenty of Dickens novels to love! Happy All. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 I have not read a Dickens in about 25 years! 2019 will be the year to change that. Now I just have to decide between a re read or a new read. Mmmm! Any suggestions @Booknutt ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booknutt Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 (edited) Oh, refresh yourself with a re-read Chrissy. ☺A familiar story will help get you back into the mood, again. What about Oliver Twist? The story of a lad, but still an eye opening tale of how it really was back then. For Oliver it ended well. He was just one of millions of children left to live or die by their own efforts, though. Times to remember so we never repeat them. Always a favourite of mine, David Copperfield too - great characters there!😀 (Oh crikey - allright, I'll add them on again ) Happy All Edited June 1, 2019 by Booknutt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmeagain Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, Booknutt said: Yes, I have to say it's one that I found very - with apologies - boring! Whether it was the change of country, the characters, the subject, the executions themselves not a topic for Dickens usual irreverent humour. I couldn't bond with it at all. Even the message of "making a sacrifice for love" had an edge - the most unkind one! Still, there are bound to be one or two out of the choice available which we will dislike. That leaves plenty of Dickens novels to love! Happy All. Agreed Booknutt.😆 Edited June 1, 2019 by itsmeagain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayley Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 I agree that A Tale of Two Cities isn't Dickens' best book, and it does have a couple of slow parts but... am I the only one who actually liked it by the end? @Chrissy I second Oliver Twist and David Copperfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmeagain Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 19 hours ago, Hayley said: I agree that A Tale of Two Cities isn't Dickens' best book, and it does have a couple of slow parts but... am I the only one who actually liked it by the end? @Chrissy I second Oliver Twist and David Copperfield The opening few pages are vintage Dickens; mysterious characters in coaches being sent messages by mystery visitors, etc; and it gradually fades. Especially the continuous changes of mood, demeanour, and bearing, of Dr Manette. Poorly thought out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayley Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 @itsmeagain I feel like I need to read it again now... I do remember getting bored part way through the book, but I don't remember it being that bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmeagain Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Yes it's often a good idea to re read a book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munipenny55 Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 On 14/11/2008 at 9:18 AM, bev said: David Copperfield is very good, it follows David through his ups & downs. It's also quite light hearted in parts. I think this is one of his best, Dickens himself often said this was his favourite. If you are looking for a more amusing read then give Martin Chuzzlewit a go. Happy reading Michelle. Hi I've begun David Copperfield and it is delightful. I last read it at school 40 years ago. I cannot believe i have avoided Dickens for so long. I will be reading them all now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmeagain Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 5 hours ago, Munipenny55 said: Hi I've begun David Copperfield and it is delightful. I last read it at school 40 years ago. I cannot believe i have avoided Dickens for so long. I will be reading them all now! Brilliant novelist ain't he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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