Dickens first timer. Recommendations???

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I have a free few weeks over summer (well, alongside usual mummy duties) to read my own book of choice as my book clubs are out of action.

I really fancy finally tackling/enjoying a Dickens book.

What would you recommend to a first timer?! I know his fans are pretty passionate and would be intrigued to hear from them. I remember seeing a BBC2 programme in the BBC Dickens Season where an actor, Armondo something, raved about David Copperfield. Is that a good option/short enough to read over a few weeks???

Many thanks.

I've not read David Copperfield and am no Dickens expert. I've read Hard Times (A-Level English), Great Expectations, Nicholas Nickleby, Dombey and Son and A Tale of Two Cities which is my favourite. DH enjoyed it too and he's not a particularly avid reader.

My favourite is Our Mutual Friend but there have been some fabulous adaptations recently; Bleak House, Little Dorrit...maybe choose one of those with the DVD afterwards?

Bleak House is extremely hard going at the start although it then develops into a great novel.

I'd start with Great Expectations or David Copperfield, then move on to Our Mutual Friend.

Great Expectations is very good and very readable. Personally I love A Tale of Two Cities.

The first Dickens I read was Oliver Twist, I found that quite easy to read and managed to get it through it fairly quickly.

I loved David Copperfield despite struggling a little with Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol. I just found the main character so much more likeable (he is supposed to be based on Dickens himself). I thought it was much more readable than the others.

I loved David Copperfield and Great Expectations.

I dodn't get on wth A Tale of Two Cities at all.

I'm currently reading Bleak House and after a fairly difficult start I am loving it

I think Great Expectations might be the easiest to read for a first timer or possibly David Copperfield but I've not got round to that one myself yet.

As already mentioned Bleak House is a cracking read once you really get into it although my personal favourite is Little Dorrit.

I don't recommend Martin Chuzzlewit however - I got about half way through
and just couldn't get any further.

Oh! Forgot to add I tried to read the Pickwick Papers as I thought it might be an easy starter - my advice is dont go there!