Best Dickens to start a child on.

[Moominsarehippos]

I have the whole lot. Not sure which is the best to start a 9 year old on. take of Two Cities, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist...

It's been donkeys since I read any Dickens and not sure i can remember all the plots. Has anyone any thoughts?

And turgid is such a lovely word. I don't find it tedious at all.

Oliver Twist gets my vote. A Christmas carol is better nearer the season. A master of metaphors and every other part of speech you will be able to begin to discuss together the wonderful images the man was able to conjure up with the words he chose.

Yeah Oliver Twist I reckon. Certainly not David Copperfield or Great Expectations. And agree that A Christmas Carol would be great nearer Christmas. My wonderful late Dad used to read Tolkien to us when we were 7 & 9 and we hung on every word. Those are some of my happiest childhood memories. Young children can absorb complex texts and plots at a young age and get lots of enjoyment from them even though they don't understand it all. It doesn't have to be Dickens or Captain Underpants. Both have a place - that's what loving books is all about isn't it?

Dickens turgid? Good grief.

Here's a bit from the the opening of Bleak House:

It probably helps that I live in London and love walking the streets here. I find that one of the most evocative pieces of writing about London I've ever read.

I probably wouldn't have given it to a pre-schooler, though.

PS I read David Copperfield when I was 10 and stuck with it to the end. A Christmas Carol might be an easier start - it's certainly a lot shorter.

I read Oliver Twist at 9. Maybe Xmas Carol would work too for a strong reader.

I can't believe the number of philistines on this thread not liking Dickens!