The Manchester Guardian's infamous Cricket commentator, Neville Cardus, said that anyone who dismisses the works of Charles Dickens should be avoided. I think he was right.
I was trying to think of how many Dickens novels I've actually read myself; probably not that many. We have a whole set of his books in France (the long row of brown books, above), and occasionally I will read one, but usually one of the more well known ones. I now intend to read the more obscure ones.
Maybe I'll start with 'The Haunted Man', or 'The mystery of Edwin Drood', neither of which I know anything about. 'Edwin Drood' was Dickens's final, and unfinished, novel; so perhaps the more interesting.
Dickens probably offers us the finest incursion into Victorian life, with George Cruikshank's wonderful original illustrations bringing it all to life perfectly.
He wrote about 15 novels, of which I've only read about 7 or 8. Sorely lacking Cro!
It's a long time since I've read Dickens. You have inspired me to read another. Maybe one of those you've mentioned. I shall see what good literature is all about.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us forget about him.
Delete'Dickins'?
ReplyDeleteWoops, my spelling is getting worse by the day. I shall correct, thank you.
DeleteI have read two novels by Dickens since I retired and I found them quite easy to read compared with reading two others when I was a teenager. Then it was quite a struggle.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed reading his books, and haven't found them 'hard-going'. I'm looking forward now to reading more.
Deleteit's many years since I've read any book by Dickens. I must confess to watching them as excellent TV series way back! Much easier to enjoy than when I was forced to read them as a schoolgirl!
ReplyDeleteI think we're mostly the same, but they're good readable stories.
DeleteWe also have a similar collection of those brown Dickens' novels. We took them with us when we moved to Tenerife and I read them all. A friend asked once if they were fake books just for show!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I were given a set each, I think it was quite common in those far off days. I'm very pleased I still have them.
DeleteNot a fan I'm afraid. Have read about half of them I suppose, but all during exams of one kind or another - compulsory reading is no fun unless you are really enjoying the experience Victorian life is not really all that far away as far as I am concerned. Considering I was born in 1932 my parents well remembered it, talked about it and (sadly) still had many of its values. On the subject of Voctoria, I watched a programme on Osborne house the other evening and was told that Prince Albert had a special lock fitted on their bedroom door! Hardly surprising - they had nine children in nine years!!
ReplyDeleteI think many people associate Dickens with school exams. Was Albert trying to lock her in or out?
DeleteI'm not sure I have actually read a complete Dickens book but have always enjoyed the TV and film adaptations.
ReplyDeleteI've read, and re-read, about half a dozen or so. We tend to think we know the stories well because we've seen the films, etc. But the books are so much more interesting.
DeleteI did Great Expectations for my English exam and read it twice to make sure I knew it well. Over the years since I have seen several film versions and a serial adaptation. I enjoyed it but wouldn't have chosen it to read it just for fun.
ReplyDeleteHaving to study certain books for our exams can put us off for life.
DeleteHe is considered the greatest of the Victorian period. I've only read 5-6 of his works and enjoyed discussing/analyzing each work as part of a uni course. You've got your summer reading all planned.
ReplyDeleteI have indeed, and they're not books that one can read quickly.
DeleteAnd when you think that were written to be serialised..very interesting
ReplyDeleteAnd were very popular as such.
DeleteSo much to read, where do we start?
ReplyDeleteI do re-read old books that I've enjoyed. That keeps me busy.
DeleteI tend to read what interests me. A book called WOODSWOMAN , at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI shall make enquiries!
DeleteThe beams the bookcase the house. I am so there.
ReplyDeleteIt's my hermit's hovel.
DeleteI have read Great Expectations and started A Tale of Two Cities but didn't get very far into it. I should check to see if I still have them, but I doubt it, I've culled a lot lately. There just isn't room here for books I'll neer read again.
ReplyDeleteI have read both of those several times. I never tire of them.
DeleteI too had the set with the brown leather covers. Only read a couple due to the print being really small. Every year we go to see A Christmas Carol at the theatre. ( whatever the production) This year it was at the Quad in Derby. Very different as there were only 2 actors who interacted with a large screen showing the story. Different, but it kept you watching.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very strange idea, it sounds a bit 'economical'. Presumably they only had to pay the on-screen actors once!
DeleteThe Quad is a very "arty " place. 🙂
ReplyDelete