Which Dickens?

ooohhhhh

can't wait

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2064629/GREAT-Expectations-Gillian-Anderson-leads-star-cast-BBCs-festive-adaptation-Charles-Dickens-classic.html

DashingRedhead. I thought the casting of Ruth Jones as Flora Finching in Little Dorrit was spot on.

I absolutely love Dickens! Have read Great Expectations, The Old Curiosity Shop and a Tale of Two Cities. My favourite (and best one to start, I think) is Great Expectations.

I personally found Tale 2 Cities hard going, but I got there in the end. Old Curiosoty Shop made me sob at the end!.

I am now going to order a load more of his books based on all your recommendations - thanks!

I highly recommend 'Great Expectations'. It is a beautifully written story which really grabs you and takes you on a fascinating journey. It's like taking a time machine back to the 1800s as you become so immersed in the story.

I think the problem with some Dicken's books is that they were written in the form of series which were published in journals. The first parts would be published before the book was even finished. Its comparable to publishing an author's first draft, instead of the third or fourth draft which has been edited by the publisher. For this reason my copy of Nicolas Nickelby could do with some some serious editing! If you fear reading Dickens, it might be worth looking abridged versions of his books.

However, the fact he could produce such wonderful stories under those circumstances is testament to his genius.

Favourite is A Tale of Two Cities.

I loved Great Expectations as did my old dad...he has "what larks, PIp, what larks" on his gravestone.
Loathed Hard Times.

Hoping Pickwick Papers isn't too dismal as have just bought a Folio Society copy. Have never tried it, did David Copperfield at school and enjoyed it. Never tried Our Mutual Friend, but now have the song of the same name by The Divine Comedy going round in my head :)

Oooh! I can't wait for the BBC Great Expectations!

My favourite Dickens followed by Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. Hated Pickwick Papers at school and haven't tried since. Have Martin Chuzzlewit waiting on the bookshelf.

It's nearly all fantastic, but I think for a slightly reluctant starter either Hard Times or David Copperfield. I love all the hefty ones Martin Chuzzlewit worth reading just for Mrs Gamp and Bleak House is a brilliant. Ditto Little Dorrit (Flora Finching is a comic masterpiece). And Our Mutual Friend. I'm only really not keen on Oliver Twist and Old Curiosity Shop. The others I read and re-read.

I love Dickens - my favourite is probably David Copperfield, I was reading it on the bus, and found myself both weeping and laughing at different points. Other travellers must have thought I was a bit odd. I find the earlier ones much easier to read, I can't get past the first page of A Tale of Two Cities though.

I recall having to read Great Expectations at school for English Literature. Was expecting to hate it. Loved it!

Oooohhh I lurve BBC Dickens adaptations!!

I've just got A Christmas Carol and its surprisingly accessible! Going to start reading it properly nearer the Yuletide Season.

As a child I used to think of Dickens as rather depressing and grim and avoided him for a long time but I have been so glad to rediscover his works in more recent years. I've now been through quite a few and have enjoyed immensely satisfying hours delving into his books. I would definitely recommend A Tale of Two Cities as the most gripping and most wonderfully written of all his works, as well as Little Dorrit. Enjoy!

BBC are doing an adaptation of Great Expectations at Christmas! Cant wait!

I had to read Great Expectations at school but despite tha, I enjoyed it!

I just love Dickens- have the whole collection proudly sat on my bookcase. My all time favourite is Oliver Twist. I just love the murkiness and complete dire of poverty that spills from the pages.

Equally love- Little Dorrit, Bleak house (mission to get through!) and David Copperfield.

Did Our Mutual Friend for A Level and it was quite brilliant - not one of his better known works and it is nearly 1000 pages long but well worth the read....

Another vote for Tale of Two Cities, particularly for someone who hasn't got on with Dickens so far (it was the first I tried some 20 years after being put off at school!) terrific story that zips along at quite a pace unlike some of the weightier more digressive novels, some wonderfully sinister characters and yes, a tear-jerker at the end. Only annoyance for me was Lucie Manette, another drippy Dickens heroine... oh so ludicrously faint-prone!

Good thread, as I have just started reading Dickens, and have just finished David Copperfield, which I liked (but not quite as much as I hoped I would).

Dora is far too drippy for my liking, and I find her death rather "convenient".

But at least I know what people are on about now when they refer to someone being as hopelessly optimistic as Mr Micawber, or as grovelling and creepy as Uriah Heep.

Just started Great Expectations.

My favourite is 'A Tale of Two Cities' - absolutely loved it!! And 'The Old Curiosity Shop' is good too! And 'Nicholas Nickleby'. I like Dickens - can you tell?!!

Mmm liked Edwin Drood too, destined to be a mystery forever! V v dark too, starting off in an opium den.

Agree about Dickens's humour, love it that sth written 150 ish years ago can make you lol now. Plus the social commentary that pervades all his books is fascinating imo.

Another vote for Bleak House, but it is long so maybe not the best one to start with.

Nicholas Nickleby maybe a better bet - good stry and much shorted. The Mystery of Edwin Drood is also good - although unfortunately was never finished so the mystery is never resolved

I too loathed Dickens at school, and that was only one exercise - luckily we didn't do much Victorian literature which means I can enjoy it now.

I read Great Expectations and Nicholas Nickleby as an adult. I loved them both. I was surprised how much humour there is in them. NN is full of bitter humour about the treatment of the poor and unfortunate - I wonder how much effect it had in its time.

I wanted to be Madame Defarge on here but twas already taken ...

Bleak House or OUr Mutual friend - love these

or if you're interested in the French Revolution: A Tale of Two Cities (look out for La Vengeance ;)