Unfortunately, I don't know if I really like Dickens. I know, I know. English literature students everywhere ♥ Dickens. Well, I never read Dickens at college -- took a lot of courses focusing on (post)colonial literature and minor American poets and shizzle so I missed being indoctrinated. Tried to read Oliver Twist on my own, but failed miserably as I hated everyone in it. Had much better success with A Christmas Carol, but that's because it was funny. I don't think Hard Times is going to be funny, do you?
Oh my friends, the down-trodden operatives of Coketown! Oh my friends and fellow-countrymen, the slaves of an ironhanded and a grinding despotism! Oh my friends and fellow-sufferers, and fellow-workmen, and fellow-men! I tell you that the hour is come, when we must rally round one another as One united power, and crumble into dust the oppressors that too long have battened upon the plunder of our families, upon the sweat of our brows, upon the labour of our hands, upon the strength of our sinews, upon the God-created glorious rights of Humanity, and upon the holy and eternal privileges of Brotherhood!Oh, a right laugh!
Anyway, as Dickens is supposed to one of The Greatest British Authors of All Time and February seventh is his two-hundredth birthday, it seems like I should give the old fellow a go and see if I can't find more to love than A Christmas Carol. Where should I start, though? Which book is least likely to give me fits? Great Expectations, Hard Times, Oliver Twist, Bleak House, or A Tale of Two Cities?
I'm inclined to start with Hard Times, because
Beautiful editions! I have them as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI;m not the biggest Dickens fan either, but I actually enjoyed Hard Times and Oliver Twist!I've heard good things about A Tale of Two cities as well!