Which Dickens?

[delphinedownunder]

I have never been able to read Dickens and it's time to try again. Which one would you recommend?

A Christmas Carol. Really. It's the only one I've ever read and enjoyed

That reminds me of my smart-arse boss at the bookshop a few years ago. A customer asked at Christmas if we had that book, and the boss passed him a copy. "Can you wrap it?", asked the customer. "Certainly, sir", he replies, clearing his throat. He then launched into a rhythmic rendition of "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"

Hated hated hated Dickens having been force-fed it at school.
However, have revisited some out of choice and actually appreciated the style in Great Expectations and David Copperfield.

Your OP doesn't sound like you're champing at the bit to get started though, I have to say.

Also, at BOF's boss ^

I enjoyed Bleak House (big and fat, takes a bit of getting into, but absolutely worth it)

I also love Nicholas Nickleby - good story.

Little Dorrit also a good story.

You have to make a bit of a pledge to ignore the irritating 'comedy talk style' and also the ridiculous names of the light relief characters- Dickens does like to labour his comedy sometimes! - But he can also be genuinely funny, and as social commentary his books are fascinating and compassionate.

Great Expectations is very accessible, good story, not over long and iirc doesn't have too many silly side stories.

I used to dislike Dickens, but read Tale of Two Cities for the first time in my early twenties and it was one of the few books that have ever made me weep not sure if that's a recommendation or not!

David Copperfield and Bleak House both enjoyable but hefty.

I second Cinderella on a Tale of two Cities being the only book to make me weep; an absolutely amazing story. Go for it! A Christmas Carol is lovely too but a Tale of two cities is much more rich and wonderful.

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 ;)

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

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.

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

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.

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?!!

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.

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!

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....

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 :)