Without really planning it 2009 has turned into a bit of a Charles Dickens year for me. I have to say that university English study had turned me off reading any more Dickens but as I grow older I find that I am wanting to revisit some of the novels that caused me so much grief when I had to read, interpret, deconstruct and then write endless essays on them!
Earlier this year I read Drood and even though it was a fictional interpretation of the last years of Dickens' life I still found that it intrigued me into wanting to find out more about this author and his numerous written works. Other fictional works relating to Dickens that I have read this year include Girl in a Blue Dress and Wanting -both of which I loved.
In our recent trip to London I continued my year of exploring Dickens. We saw a wonderful performance of Oliver at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane - I thought it was a great interpretation of the story - with fantastic humour thrown in courtesy of Omid Djalili who plays Fagin.
Earlier this year I read Drood and even though it was a fictional interpretation of the last years of Dickens' life I still found that it intrigued me into wanting to find out more about this author and his numerous written works. Other fictional works relating to Dickens that I have read this year include Girl in a Blue Dress and Wanting -both of which I loved.
In our recent trip to London I continued my year of exploring Dickens. We saw a wonderful performance of Oliver at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane - I thought it was a great interpretation of the story - with fantastic humour thrown in courtesy of Omid Djalili who plays Fagin.
I rounded out our trip with a visit to the Charles Dickens House Museum - the only surviving London residence of Dickens and where he wrote some of his novels, including Oliver Twist.
So, when we got back home I was in the mood to actually pick up a Dickens novel and when I headed to Borders I found one of the beautiful new Penguin hardcover editions of Oliver Twist which has come home with me. I now just have to move past my mental block that says Dickens = study and I will be able to start reading it!
Do you have a favourite novel of Dickens? Do you have a favourite novel about him and his life?
13 comments:
I love that book, I just wish I didn't hate 'Oliver' (if it was 'David Copperfield' I would fight people for it). I've never been to the Drury theatre, what's it like inside (modern, or very original?)
I'll be honest and admit that I have yet to read any Dickens, except for A Christmas Carol and that was because I was in a play of A Christmas Carol. I wouldn't mind reading some Dickens though, not sure which one to start with. Any recommendations?
Oh I've totally been in a Dickens mood since reading "The Last Dickens". I recently finished The Mystery of Edwin Drood which was so good but annoying since it's unfinished. And then watched Bleak House on TV w/ Gillian Anderson as Lady Deadlock. So so good. That might be my favorite Dickens novel. I'm going to have to read it.
I also watched Oliver Twist, the 2007 version w/ Timothy Spall as Fagin. I loved this version! I think this is the year I tackel A Christmas Carol.
It's interesting how some authors seem to take over your life for awhile, sometimes it's not even planned that way :)
I read a lot of Dickens when I was young--I read Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Pickwick Papers several times as a teenager, then Bleak House, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities in college, plus lots of Xmas stories along the way. About 15 years ago, I decided to read Dickens in order.
I liked Nicholas Nickleby immensely and was all geared up for a wild Dickens ride, but fell off the wagon at Old Curiosity Shop. I simply couldn't wait for Little Nell to die so I could stop reading that book! Maybe too much and too exclusively.
My next Dickens will probably be Hard Times so that I can compare it to Gaskell's North and South.
My favorite Dickens? Pickwick. I love the ghost stories and Sam Weller and the Christmas party and the travelling and the eating/drinking.
Ooo, I bought this edition of Oliver Twist too. Could not resist. That whole Penguin design trap again for me. And Great Expectations is my favorite Dickens.
Hi Jodie - The theatre seemed to be a really good mix of the original with some modern touches. I thought it was amazing but my theatre going experiences are pretty limited!
Hi Nadia - I would read the descriptions of the Dickens novels and see what one takes your fancy!
Hi Amanda - A Christmas Carol is on my list too!
Hi Jane - thanks for your wonderful post - it sounds like you are quite the Dickens expert - you might have to help me guide my reading in the coming months.
Hi Frances - they are so easy to fall for aren't they?
Great Expectations is my favourite Dickens (that I've read so far), Miss Havisham is such a fascinating character, you have to admire her stubbornness.
I'm planning to read Little Dorrit next in the hope that the ABC will finally screen the TV series here soon!
I have a growing interest in Dickens, whom I haven't read since high school (too many years ago to count). I admit, part of what's drawing him to me now is the fact that Nick Hornby loves Dickens. Heck, if Nick Hornby loves you, you can't be all bad!
I love those Penguin editions! I've never read Oliver Twist, so I suppose I can get the two birds with the same stone, etc. My favorite Dickens is David Copperfield, closely followed by Great Expectations. I need to read more Dickens for sure!
Hi Sujiko - I know I have read Great Expectations in the past but I think my memory for all but the most stand out things has faded so I might need to re-read I think!
Hi eveningreader - I didn't know that info about Nick Hornby and I totally agree with you - if Nick is on board then so am I!
Hi tuulenhaiven - I think that book is a perfect excuse to read more Dickens!
Those Penguin editions are so lovely...*dreamy sigh*. Despite also suffering from the kind of Dickens=study classical conditioning that accompanies University English courses, once I tamp down the rising fear that I'm going to be asked to write a 5000 word essay at the end of the novel I really enjoy Dickens. My two Favourites are Hard Times (so funny!) and Great Expectations.
Hi aowl - Everyone seems to be recommending Great Expectations so I might need to start there. It's so good to hear from you!
Thanks for the overview on Dickens’ lit! I’m curious to read Peter Ackroyd’s biography too. I just stumbled across your blog and I love all the book reviews.
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