Which Charles Dickens?

[Progressive]

Having never ventured into Dickens' books, I'm keen to give him a try.

Any recommendations on where to start, in order to get a good feel for what the author is about? Any must reads? I am looking for a relatively short book (<250 printed pages) if possible.

Cheers!

[M888SXY]

I've just read my first, a bit longer at 400+ pages I seem to remember. Bleak House. Thoroughly enjoyed it, almost humorous in places. Very descriptive.

[Ayahuasca]

David Copperfield.

It was Dickens' own favourite.

Mine too.

[LC23]

I've read about half of Dickens books. Currently reading Edwin Drood. I wouldn't start with Bleak House personally. David Copperfield is a good one to start as above. Oliver Twist is actually very good as well as is Pickwick Papers. That is very long however.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Dombey & Son.

[LC23]

Double post

Edited by LC23 on Friday 6th September 07:16

[Progressive]

Just finished the first 'book' of Tale of Two Cities. So far so good.

[Ayahuasca]

Progressive said:

Just finished the first 'book' of Tale of Two Cities. So far so good.

I liked A Tale of Two Cities but it does not have any of the humour of say Copperfield.

[Progressive]

Ayahuasca said:

I liked A Tale of Two Cities but it does not have any of the humour of say Copperfield.

I compared a few and decided that the topic and plot were particularly interesting to me. 25% in. Impressed so far so will likely move onto further of his work.

[cherryyi]

Hard Times and A Tale of Two Cities are his most famous works.

[Ayahuasca]

cherryyi said:

Hard Times and A Tale of Two Cities are his most famous works.

I would think A Christmas Carol is most widely known.

[Alex]

I would start with Great Expectations. It's the most accessible Dickens novel, IMO.

[cherryyi]

Ayahuasca said:

I would think A Christmas Carol is most widely known.

Oh, really?

[Alfachick]

I would also start with great expectations. It's the one I started with and it surprisingly accessible and also funny.
Bleak house is not a good one to start on, it's very dry and in my opinion was boring, it talks a lot about the legal system of the time.
David Copperfield is another good one to start with and is also quite funny, the aunt was my favourite character.
I haven't got round to reading any more of them but they are in the "to read" pile.

[Alex]

There's also Oliver Twist, of course. I found that quite heavy going.

[silverthorn2151]

Pickwick Papers is a very fine book.

Some of the others mentioned here I have had interminable problems with.

[gbbird]

Am surprised no-one has mentioned Little Dorritt as a good introduction to the wonderful world of Dickens. Slightly more than 250 pages, but it is a very accessible novel.

[K12beano]

I always feel I *should* be reading Dickens.

The nearest I've ever got is listening to "Bleak Expectations". (Mind you, if all Dickens were like that....)

[HappyTorque]

Bleak House is brilliant but do not start with this. It is a huge, wonderful but challenging book.

Suggestions:

David Copperfield. Superb and great characters.

Nicholas Nickleby: as above

Dombey and Son: I loved this but it is perhaps a bit harder to get through

Hard Times: interesting. Just re-read this. Very strong message about the industrial revolution, classic Dickensian writing, interesting story but none of the main characters were very memorable - that are all a bit obvious.

Great expectations: one of the more famous books but for me none of the main characters were particularly engaging. Damn good yarn though.

Oliver Twist: yup, one of the best

A Tale of Two Titties ( excuse the Monty Python pun): great book but for some reason it is my nemesis - it took.several attempts to get through it.

The other thing about Dickens is that it takes a while to get in to his style of writing. He is not an author who you can read a few pages at a time before bed - or at least I can't. You need to commit and really dive in. Then he is just mesmerisingly good!

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Ayahuasca]

Bleak House is my next one.