Charles Dickens - some books i've got, but not read yet!

[E38Ross]

as per another thread i recently posted here i absolutely loved David Copperfield, a tale of two cities, great expectations, christmas carol and nicholas nickleby.

i have a few more of his novels i've never read but what are your thoughts on the following:

Oliver Twist (obviously a classic so going to be a good'un, i expect!)
Martin Chuzzzlewit
The old curiosity shop
Barnaby Rudge
Hard times
Bleak house
The mystery of Edwin Drood

all are books i've got yet never read....are they any good (baring in mind the books i've read!)

thanks again

Ross.

[E38Ross]

Hard times a bit of a depressing read then?

Heard bleak house is a tough read?

[E38Ross]

Silver said:

Bleak House is hard going. I had to study it at Uni and gave up which is rare for me. I tried to read it again a couple of years later with the same result.

Oliver Twist, Chuzzlewit and the Old Curiosity Shop are more enjoyable. I haven't read the others.

I know Great Expectations is probably the best known of Dickens' books but it's for a reason - it's excellent. There's so much going on on so many levels that it's a great read. I know the OP has read it but if anyone else is thinking of venturing into Dickens this is a good start plus the story is so well known it makes it easier to start with.

thanks. I've heard that about Bleak House.

I'm currently really into Brighton Rock (Graham Greene), so much so I've almost finished it! Next will be another Dickens book or Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky.....I'm undecided.

Great Expectations is a cracking read, I found A Tale of Two Cities to be just as good, from what I recall (it was around 7-8 years ago I read it!), and David Copperfield is also amongst one of my favourites. 'Twas a long one though!

Edited by E38Ross on Thursday 22 November 22:11

[E38Ross]

i ended up watching the BBC series of Bleak House.....fantastic!

I found I also have Little Dorrit which I didn't think I had. I'm currently 1/2 way through Oliver Twist which is fantastic....i can't remember the end at all so it's really good. I'm very torn what to read next. lately, as you know, i read brighton rock, i also re-read a christmas carol and now am reading oliver twist which are all books you could (if you wanted) read in a couple of days and fancy an "epic".

I'm torn so help me out....Little Dorrit or Martin Chuzzlewit!??

thanks

[E38Ross]

Little Dorrit it is then, after Oliver Twist.

[E38Ross]

Is chuzzlewitt not that enjoyable a read? what about barnaby rudge? not really heard much about that to be honest.

Edited by E38Ross on Saturday 29th December 22:19

[E38Ross]

thanks tertius. I'm only about 80-90mins away from finishing Oliver Twist; may wait a few days before starting Little Dorrit, but i'm looking forward to it.

[E38Ross]

Finished Oliver twist last night, great read!

Tertius, or any other for that matter, have you read either dombey and son or the pickwick papers? Any good? I'm popping into waterstones later.

[E38Ross]

Thanks again Tertius. May look at getting our mutual friend as I don't think I have it. Hmmm, now, our mutual friend or little dorrit

[E38Ross]

Well, having got the kindle now I'm thoroughly enjoying little dorrit. Seems like I've done loads of reading and I'm just 49% of the way through!