Posted by AndreaNo1
Jan 1, 2009 4:00 pm

Replies (22)

Posted by

• Martin Chuzzelwitt or Nickolas Nickelby

  Jan 1, 2009 11:32 pm
  by ceniza

• There is no doubt about that: David Copperfield is his absolute masterpiece. Not only the story is good, but the way of writing is superb.
  The book is written from the point of view of David Copperfield. It starts when he is a child (Chapter 1: "I am born"), and ends when he is a man. At the start his thinking and way of acting is that of a child. During the book the writing becomes more mature and at the same time the writing becomes more mature.
  That aspect (the way the book is written) for me makes this book an absolute masterpiece. I have never seen something like that elsewhere, in such a brilliant way. One of the finest pieces of literature ever written. If you don't love "David Copperfield" you won't like anything by Dickens.
  Other great books by Dickens are Great Expectations, Bleak House, Oliver Twist, Our Mutual Friend. Well, everything by Dickens is very good.

  Jan 2, 2009 6:03 am
  by renehasekamp

• I too really enjoyed A Tale of Two Cities.

  Jan 9, 2009 2:10 pm
  by Flashman

• Yes, A Tale of two Cities is a great read. If you found it relatively easy, try A Christmas Carol to get further into the language. Follow it with Great Expectations, which is his most critically acclaimed. Then read some George Eliot who Dickens said was the greatest writer of his time. She's fabulous. Silas Marner is a delightful allegorical novella while Middlemarch is her masterpiece.

  Jan 10, 2009 4:49 pm
  by John_Rempel

• My favorites are Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities and A Christmas Carol.

  Jan 11, 2009 4:05 pm
  by LocalLIT

• I consider myself to be a huge Dickens fan. For the love of Mike, I could not get into A Tale of Two Cities. I’m also An Edith Wharton fan and disliked Ethan Fromme. That being said, my favorite Dickens novels are Nicholas Nickelby and Bleak House. If you think that they are too long, you will soon realize that they are not long enough.

  Jan 12, 2009 3:07 pm
  by EDITHJWHARTON

• I second renehaskamp's suggestion of David Copperfield. It is a remarkable book--the way Dickens alters the voice as David grows from child to adult is astonishing. Of course there are lots of charming Dickensian characters (and as a big fan of Dickens I know many of them) but David is closest to my heart--and he was Dickens's favorite too!

  Jan 12, 2009 3:08 pm
  by MaggieH (admin)

• John_Rempel- I love George Eliot and my favorite of her works is Scenes from a Clerical Life. The writing is second to none.

  Jan 12, 2009 5:56 pm
  by EDITHJWHARTON

• Edith - I've yet to read 'Scenes...' but, on your recommendation, soon will. It probably shows her advanced theology as a sub-theme, rather like 'Middlemarch' and so many others. You've also inspired me to read her translation of Strauss's 'The Life of Jesus Critically Examined' which got him and, consequently, her in so much trouble.

  Jan 24, 2009 11:45 pm
  by John_Rempel

• As an avid lover of Dickens (which brings groans and cheers), I have to say: A Tale of Two Cities. I have not read David Copperfield yet, but the ending of A Tale of Two Cities is unforgettable. I still remember where I was when I finished it; what time it was (exactly midnight); and the chill I had when I read it.
  
  Our Mutual Friend is also fantastic.

  Jan 27, 2009 6:10 pm
  by tristiseye

• Tristiseye-You have convinced me to read A Tale of Two Cities! Right now, I am reading Curiousity Shop and loving it.

  Jan 27, 2009 8:14 pm
  by EDITHJWHARTON

• I like tale of two cities as well. Much better the second time through it.

  Feb 9, 2009 12:30 pm
  by fredsmilek

• A Tale of Two Cities has been my favorite Dickens since I was a kid. There is something in the imagery, history, and suspense that I just love.

  Feb 23, 2009 1:44 pm
  by starshy926

• Well. I am at the end of Curiousity Shop..I might have a new favorite.

  Mar 2, 2009 6:16 pm
  by EDITHJWHARTON

• Curiosity -Sorry-

  Mar 2, 2009 6:17 pm
  by EDITHJWHARTON

• "A Tale of Two Cities" is easily one of the best.

  Mar 23, 2009 9:32 am
  by fredsmilek

• You can't forget Oliver Twist. Torn between two worlds as a little boy and the characters he lives with are awesome. Though David Copperfield and A Tale are truly my favorite.

  Apr 2, 2009 12:59 pm
  by ChristineB

• I've just read "Great Expectations" and loved it. Am starting to read "A Tale Of Two Cities". So, I don't yet have much to do a comparison, but so far, I sure do like reading Dickens.

  Aug 26, 2009 8:23 am
  by schreibe

• I'd have to say "A Tale of Two Cities" & "Nicholas Nickleby" (although I read in Form I in Paris - your equivalent of 9th grade - "Great Expectation" and it turned me into an Anglophile almost immediately, so deep down I have a special place for Pip, Estella and dear Miss Havisham).

  Aug 26, 2009 10:11 pm
  by elliott57

• Hello Mr Martin Chuzzelwitt,
  I realized your comment in this forum site its a very nice your views.
  Thanks.

  Sep 8, 2009 2:25 am
  by Jesseryder

• Hello Mr Martin Chuzzelwitt,
  I realized your comment in this forum site its a very nice your views.
  Thanks.

  Sep 8, 2009 2:26 am
  by Jesseryder

• I've always loved Oliver Twist and Great Expectations

  Sep 9, 2009 10:53 am
  by badfalcon