What the Dickens to start with?

[puddinghead]

Have never read any Dickens apart from an abridged children's version of Oliver Twist and feel I ought would like to.

Which Dickens would be a good start?

I have been thinking the same and have been told to try Bleak House first.

I started with Great Expectations, even though I knew the story, but it was brilliant anyway. I have now read most of his books, as once I started I really enjoyed them. Bleak House is also a fantastic book. I have just finished The Christmas books, and might start the Mystery of Edwin Drood after watching it on TV last night. Hope this helps a bit

Yes, I started with Great Expectations too but kind of lost interest in it as Pip grew up - but then I read it as a child, and haven't gone back to it as an adult.

I read Oliver Twist as an older teen, that was good but darker than the musical

Have read an abridged version (child's) of A Christmas Carol

I tried Pickwick Papers but got thoroughly bored with it

I think I really ought to read David Copperfield and Bleak House at least, and should probably keep them in the loo to read a chapter at a time, as that's the way they were written and that way I'd probably cope better.

I read voraciously other stuff, but found that Dickens' style didn't really work well for me when I tried it.

I enjoyed A Tale of Two Cities.

NOT Dombey and son - still haven't finished that.

Maybe David Copperfield - that's a pretty gripping story.

I don't think there's anything wrong with watching good film versions of Dickens in tandem with reading the books.

(The ending of the musical Oliver is not quite as in the book... Polanski's version of Oliver Twist is a lot closer)

Always thought Tale of Two Cities is the most inherently fascinating. But in some ways it's not "Dickens as we know it", as it's not set in Dickensian London, but in the London and Paris of the past.

I got into Dickens as a teenager from watching BBC serials - starting with Our Mutual Friend, which may not be the most obvious first choice but I'd recommend it for later. David Copperfield would be my vote to start with. I read it to DD not long ago, she enjoyed it (had earlier done Oliver Twist at her request after seeing musical, I'd forgotten how grim it is in places).

I could never get into Pickwick Papers; couldn't bring myself to finish A Tale of Two Cities - one of the best known endings in fiction; and for some reason my Dickens enthusiasm ran out a couple of chapters into Martin Chuzzlewit.

I'm in the same boat - I asked some friends and they recommended Great Expectations, Bleak House and A Tale of Two Cities. I've had three attempts at reading Great Expectations before, but have never managed to get past the first few pages. So I'm currently reading Dickens by Peter Ackroyd, in the hope that by understanding more about the author, I'll finally be able to read one of his books (I managed to miss the adaptation of GE that was on over Christmas - we were visiting relatives)

In the same boat too. Watched GE over Christmas and was inspired by the MN thread about what was missed.

I'm about half way through, and a little disappointed. It's vair snobby- all those rough hewn yokels, whereas the TV Joe was so likeable. I'm comparing him to Hardy and Zola and missing a hinterland. I will perservere though as the idea of an enormous canon to work through is rather exciting.

My new years resolution was to read more classics, as I can now download them free on my kindle! I finished Oliver Twist and that was a fairly easy read and quite enjoyable. Was going to try Great Expectations next as I saw the TV adaptation over Christmas, so the story is still fresh in my mind.

I'm reading GE at the moment. Aside from lagging a little during part two I am enjoying it. I heard Hard Times is a good one to start as its not as long as the others but also David Copperfield is meant to be good but its a good 900 pages

Great Expectations is simply outstanding and a great first Dickens read.

David Copperfield also very good.

They do require some perseverance for sure, but you will be rewarded....

Thanks for the pointers. I'll see what the library's got in tomorrow. Like ninjanurse, I decided to get more classics in. Going to read one classic to two moderns. On Mary Barton at the mo', quite enjoying it.

Agree that GE and DC would be good, but I'd add 'Nicholas Nickleby'. It's very funny (the Crummles, Mrs Nickleby etc) but has plenty of poignancy and social conscience (Smike). In fact, I might make it my own first Dickens (re) read of 2012...romped through the Claire Tomalin biog as soon as it came out, and it made me resolve to go back to the books.

just started the old curiosity shop - is highly readable!

My favourites by far are Tale of 2 cities, and David Copperfield.

I enjoyed Pickwick papers, Nicholas Nickelby, Old Curiosity Shop, Christmas Carol and Oliver.

I didn't really like GE, though I feel I should, and I found Bleak House really turgid.

Reading David Copperfield at the moment and enjoying it. I have the book but it is also free on Kindle.