Great post, Shannon. Your advice on how to read dickens is well taken. And I loved your quote here: “ There is something world-changing about a great story, and Dickens’ novels have changed me deeply with their ability to turn my attention to what is noble and true and good.” I completely agree :)
Thanks, Brian. It’s always neat to find kindred spirits who love the books you love. It feels lonely, sometimes, reading old books, but there are more of us than we realize!
Terrific article! Thank you for this! I’ve loved Dickens since I was in HS and periodically return to him. I just finished The Old Curiosity Shop last week, which was my first time through. More than any writer I know, Dickens has the ability to charm and warm me. But his plots are also extraordinary and, for readers who choose to dive into his worlds, the characters are bizarre and frightening and eccentric and lovely. Reading Dickens makes me see and feel the whole range of life’s offerings, but it gives me hope and delight. Thanks for reminding me of all that!
I just finished Curiosity Shop last night! It was my least favorite of his books, but is was still great. Daniel Quilp is, as you say, exceedingly frightening!
David Copperfield is one of my all time favorite books. I love reading it but I also love the audiobook just as much with Richard Armitage as the reader.
I’ve never done a Dickens as an audiobook but I will have to try it out! In some ways that may be more how he intended his books to be “read”— aloud. Literacy was not widespread in England when he began writing, so many of his readers would have listened to his books aloud.
I absolutely love Dickens! And you nailed why it's important to forge ahead instead of giving up. A friend compared it to eating something nourishing instead of a piece of cake—you can just tell that the story is feeding you in an essential way. "Great Expectations" is my favorite of his novels so far. I think there's something a little different about it, Estella is such an unusual Dickens heroine, and there is a scene in the beginning when Pip leaves home for the first time that captures that feeling in the most heartbreaking and beautiful way. He's such a master of using nature as a symbol of what's happening with the characters, too!
I think I read Great Expectations maybe 20 years ago but I didn’t list it here because I don’t remember much about it at all. Clearly time for a re-read! And yes— his metaphors with the natural world are second to none.
I still haven't finished a Dickens but my 12 year old loves them! His two tips are to read them fairly fast or you'll forget the plot (same for Russian literature which he's now tackling) and don't read one and assume you'll love or hate all Dickens based on that one. Pickwick papers is very different to DC or HT for instance and ATO2C is different again. The BBC has some some great adaptations which we've enjoyed together so I can share the Dickens love!
Love that your 12-year-old is into Dickens! (My 12-year-old daughter is enjoying David Copperfield currently.) You would love reading one together, I bet! :)
The only Dicken's novel I haven't read yet is The Pickwick Papers but I don't really have any desire to - unless someone can convince me otherwise. I just finished Our Mutual Friend for the second time & it's one of my favourites. Barnaby Rudge & Martin Chuzzlewit don't seem to be as widely read as some of his others but are really worthwhile. Bleak House & Hard Times are two I really love as well.
Have you read Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire series? I think if you like Dickens you would also like those.
David Copperfield is a favorite around our house. I started it as an audiobook years ago when I was driving a solo road trip with my kids to see my family. The narration of Simon Vance (how does he do so many different voices/characters?) drew me into it and then once I got back home I was able to keep reading my physical book. That would be my tip-find a good narrator and start off with the audio.
Now my 14 year old daughter has read more Dickens than me. A few years ago she read Bleak House and loved it, even though it took her forever...
Terrific post, Shannon. I’m ashamed to say I’ve only read A Christmas Carol — blame it on being a science major. Surely I had A Tale of Two Cities in School but I obviously wasn’t sufficiently impressed to ever be brave enough to revisit Dickens. You have inspired me to try again. I think I’ll give David Copperfield a go…
I have read all Dickens novels and find your analysis solid. Similar principles could apply to other novelists like George Eliot, also difficult but grows on you.
On the other hand I've made a couple attempts of Henry James without luck, you have any comments on that one 😀?
I guess I haven't read The Mystery of Edwin Drood (the unfinished one), so let's not brag too much. Dickens is Impressively consistent quality overall I would say. Barnaby Rudge is perhaps justly neglected.
I read nobody but Dickens in 1993, and I read them in order of publication starting with “The Pickwick Papers”. My favourite novel is “David Copperfield”, but “Little Dorrit”, “Bleak House”, “Great Expectations” and “A Tale of Two Cities” are a close second. I used to think Dickens’ characters were entertaining but not very believable. Then Donald Trump was elected President and I had to re-think matters. Dickens would have a field day in today’s political climate.
Dickens is one of my favorite favorite authors, and I just finished reading David Copperfield a couple of months ago, which turned out to be my favorite of his novels I've read so far! I just feel like all of its various elements come together so well—the way all the twists and subplots come together, the main story of David's life and how he navigates his various challenges, his relationship with Agnes (even though I have a soft spot for poor Dora, too), all the memorable minor characters.
I've read several Dickens stories. David Copperfield is my favorite. It is my favorite book period. I began taking notes on what I read almost 20 years ago, and it changed my reading life. I use spiral notebooks. I take notes on the characters, plot, words that need defining, situations in the story that stand out, and quotes I love. I call it a study skill picked up along the way in my journey of reading. I've recently added the use of color pencils to highlight certain things I write. For example, I use orange to highlight the characters names. I don't usually write in books as I don't always keep them. Classics I usually keep.
Great post, Shannon. Your advice on how to read dickens is well taken. And I loved your quote here: “ There is something world-changing about a great story, and Dickens’ novels have changed me deeply with their ability to turn my attention to what is noble and true and good.” I completely agree :)
Thanks, Brian. It’s always neat to find kindred spirits who love the books you love. It feels lonely, sometimes, reading old books, but there are more of us than we realize!
"We read to know we are not alone." (Mistakenly attributed to CS Lewis and quoted in the movie "Shadowlands.")
David Copperfield hands down. And Mr Dick is the ultimate hero, though this novel is so full of memorable characters!
Favorite Mr Dick quote: "I've never seen a crocodile."
Mr. Dick is amazing. I also love Betsy Trotwood!
"Mr Dick... donkeys!" 😂
I know! Love how David renamed himself Trotwood to honor his Aunt and savior.
I love Dickens! Aunt Trotwood is one of my favorite characters in all of literature.
She is *so* good. An excellent favorite.
Terrific article! Thank you for this! I’ve loved Dickens since I was in HS and periodically return to him. I just finished The Old Curiosity Shop last week, which was my first time through. More than any writer I know, Dickens has the ability to charm and warm me. But his plots are also extraordinary and, for readers who choose to dive into his worlds, the characters are bizarre and frightening and eccentric and lovely. Reading Dickens makes me see and feel the whole range of life’s offerings, but it gives me hope and delight. Thanks for reminding me of all that!
I just finished Curiosity Shop last night! It was my least favorite of his books, but is was still great. Daniel Quilp is, as you say, exceedingly frightening!
David Copperfield is one of my all time favorite books. I love reading it but I also love the audiobook just as much with Richard Armitage as the reader.
Amen! With the help of Armitage on 3 of the total, I've probably "read" Copperfield at least 5 times.
Yes, I second this! The audiobooks add an additional layer to the experience.
I’ve never done a Dickens as an audiobook but I will have to try it out! In some ways that may be more how he intended his books to be “read”— aloud. Literacy was not widespread in England when he began writing, so many of his readers would have listened to his books aloud.
I absolutely love Dickens! And you nailed why it's important to forge ahead instead of giving up. A friend compared it to eating something nourishing instead of a piece of cake—you can just tell that the story is feeding you in an essential way. "Great Expectations" is my favorite of his novels so far. I think there's something a little different about it, Estella is such an unusual Dickens heroine, and there is a scene in the beginning when Pip leaves home for the first time that captures that feeling in the most heartbreaking and beautiful way. He's such a master of using nature as a symbol of what's happening with the characters, too!
I think I read Great Expectations maybe 20 years ago but I didn’t list it here because I don’t remember much about it at all. Clearly time for a re-read! And yes— his metaphors with the natural world are second to none.
I still haven't finished a Dickens but my 12 year old loves them! His two tips are to read them fairly fast or you'll forget the plot (same for Russian literature which he's now tackling) and don't read one and assume you'll love or hate all Dickens based on that one. Pickwick papers is very different to DC or HT for instance and ATO2C is different again. The BBC has some some great adaptations which we've enjoyed together so I can share the Dickens love!
Love that your 12-year-old is into Dickens! (My 12-year-old daughter is enjoying David Copperfield currently.) You would love reading one together, I bet! :)
The only Dicken's novel I haven't read yet is The Pickwick Papers but I don't really have any desire to - unless someone can convince me otherwise. I just finished Our Mutual Friend for the second time & it's one of my favourites. Barnaby Rudge & Martin Chuzzlewit don't seem to be as widely read as some of his others but are really worthwhile. Bleak House & Hard Times are two I really love as well.
Have you read Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire series? I think if you like Dickens you would also like those.
I haven’t read any Trollope but he’s on my list.
I am planning to read Pickwick Papers in 2025! I’ll let you know if it’s worth reading. :)
David Copperfield is a favorite around our house. I started it as an audiobook years ago when I was driving a solo road trip with my kids to see my family. The narration of Simon Vance (how does he do so many different voices/characters?) drew me into it and then once I got back home I was able to keep reading my physical book. That would be my tip-find a good narrator and start off with the audio.
Now my 14 year old daughter has read more Dickens than me. A few years ago she read Bleak House and loved it, even though it took her forever...
Clearly I need to try Dickens as an audiobook!
Terrific post, Shannon. I’m ashamed to say I’ve only read A Christmas Carol — blame it on being a science major. Surely I had A Tale of Two Cities in School but I obviously wasn’t sufficiently impressed to ever be brave enough to revisit Dickens. You have inspired me to try again. I think I’ll give David Copperfield a go…
So excited for you! Please let me know what you think! Or send me an email; I’d love to chat/discuss it with you…
It’s at the bottom of my TBR list, but I’ll get there…
I have read all Dickens novels and find your analysis solid. Similar principles could apply to other novelists like George Eliot, also difficult but grows on you.
On the other hand I've made a couple attempts of Henry James without luck, you have any comments on that one 😀?
So impressed that you have read all his novels! I think I’m only about half way through.
And I’ve never read any Henry James, so I can’t help you there.
I guess I haven't read The Mystery of Edwin Drood (the unfinished one), so let's not brag too much. Dickens is Impressively consistent quality overall I would say. Barnaby Rudge is perhaps justly neglected.
I read nobody but Dickens in 1993, and I read them in order of publication starting with “The Pickwick Papers”. My favourite novel is “David Copperfield”, but “Little Dorrit”, “Bleak House”, “Great Expectations” and “A Tale of Two Cities” are a close second. I used to think Dickens’ characters were entertaining but not very believable. Then Donald Trump was elected President and I had to re-think matters. Dickens would have a field day in today’s political climate.
Ha, yes. I wish he were alive today to give us wonderful hilarity and biting insight on today’s happenings.
A Christmas Carol would be a relatively painless way to start reading Dickens.
Dickens is one of my favorite favorite authors, and I just finished reading David Copperfield a couple of months ago, which turned out to be my favorite of his novels I've read so far! I just feel like all of its various elements come together so well—the way all the twists and subplots come together, the main story of David's life and how he navigates his various challenges, his relationship with Agnes (even though I have a soft spot for poor Dora, too), all the memorable minor characters.
Yes! It’s so good. So much to love about that story.
I've read several Dickens stories. David Copperfield is my favorite. It is my favorite book period. I began taking notes on what I read almost 20 years ago, and it changed my reading life. I use spiral notebooks. I take notes on the characters, plot, words that need defining, situations in the story that stand out, and quotes I love. I call it a study skill picked up along the way in my journey of reading. I've recently added the use of color pencils to highlight certain things I write. For example, I use orange to highlight the characters names. I don't usually write in books as I don't always keep them. Classics I usually keep.
Love to hear about you annotating system. I write and underline in my books a lot, but I don’t have a good system (yet). I need one!
Wonderful entry! I want to send it to everyone I know! Thank you.
Thank you!