Dickens. Is it worth perservering?

[alana39]

As a teenager / student I tried reading Dickens several times but just couldn't get on with him. I read lots, not usually classics but love James, like Thackeray and have read some Trollope so it's not just that I don't like Victorians!

Anyway, with all the 200th birthday stuff I feel I should give him another chance, and am reading A Tale of Two Cities mainly because I've recently read a few very good historical novels set in / around French revolution (Place of Greater Safety, Pure, Parrot & Olivier) so am in the mood for it. Haven't got far into it yet, it's not the most riveting read (yet?), but I am reading it.

So - has anyone else overcome Dickens dislike or apathy? If so, which book(s) did it for you? Or should I just stop bothering?

Stick with it! I don't remember Tale of Two Cities being the grabbiest. David Copperfield is the most gripping for me, and Bleak House the most masterly.

Stick with it. Also remember they came out as periodicals so do not feel you have to do vast chunks at a time. I found Great Expectations one of the worst. Like Tale of two cities, David Copperfield and Oliver Twist.

I read A Tale of Two Cities at school. First third- dull as shit. Middle third- better. Final third- one of the best books I have ever read.

That's how I remember it anyway, was years ago. I'd stick with it.

I read Great Expectations recently, enjoyed it.

OK, thanks. Like the suggestion to read in smaller doses as I do feel at the moment as if I'm forcing myself to do something that should be good for me, rather than enjoying it.

Is there anything to be said for reading them in the order they were written?

I'm a new reader of Dickens having hated it when I was younger.

David Copperfield and Great Expectations had me gripped, but I didn't enjoy Tale of Two Cities.

I am going to try Bleak House next.

I love Dickens but didn't particularly love Tale of Two Cities. My favourite is Great Expectations because it is more plot-driven and doesn't ramble on quite so much and it's one of the shorter ones. After Great Expectations, the next best one is David Copperfield for me because it's so personal and there are some truly heart-wrenching moments.

They are variable. I never managed to finish Tof2C, couldn't get into Pickwick Papers or Martin Chuzzlewit but loved some of the others (David Copperfield, Our Mutual Friend).

Just a quick Bleak House recommendation - it was really the only one I've got one with, although I haven't read AToTC, maybe that'll be my anniversary read.

Definately stick with it! I love The Old Curiosity Shop and Little Dorrit. Didn't much like T2C, also liked Bleak House.

Oh I LOVED David Copperfield, A Christmas Carol is required reading I think, and am 3/4 of the way through Great Expectations.

Couldn't get into Tale of Two Cities AT ALL!

I too would like to try a Dickens this year, someone recommended Our Mutual Friend, anyone read it?

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will try harder

I love Tale of Two Cities, I think it's one of the more approachable novels, do persevere :).

I really enjoy Dickens, but never got on with A Tale of Two Cities. Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist and Hard Times are my faves. Oh, and A Christmas Carol.

I really liked Great Expectations, David Copperfield and Oliver Twist. I haven't read any others as yet. Tried Hard Times and gave up, but may try again. Haven't read a Tale of Two Cities I'm afraid.

I have been feeling I ought to try Dickens again (read Great Expectations at school I think). I tried Pickwick papers recently - waded through about 150 pages and finally lost the will to live and gave up. So taking what others have said it is worth persevering with some but by no means all of them. I might have a stab at David Copperfield next.

No :)
Don't force yourself to go through such a boring book. There are many other great classics out there.

I'm an English teacher and - shhh- I don't like Dickens. Great stories, interesting and often fabulously drawn characters and scenes, but I just can't read much.

It's the way he tells 'em.

See, Sassy and Sonic, I feel like that but I'm aware I haven't really given them a chance.

Please persevere with Tale of Two Cities. I read it years ago and still think its one of the best books Ive ever read - agree with Celtic Promise that the last third of the book is the best.

Am I the only one who liked Nicholas Nickleby?

Stop bothering. Or, if you must - try some Thomas Hardy and his dull as fuck "rural" passages, which will make Dickens' urban grime seem interesting by comparison.

Definitely David Copperfield!

The 'easiest' one is A Christmas Carol. Closely followed by Oliver Twist. I've waded through Great Expectations but I just couldn't get into it. I liked The Old Curiosity Shop and I keep meaning to try more but Great Expectations has put me off.

cannot stick the man.

overrated incredibly verbose depressing misoyginist twat.