Book the First is read and, with 396 pages to go, I feel my glass is half-empty and am very sad to see that I only have half left. When it comes to Dickens, Little Dorrit has been little mentioned among my readings and listenings regarding others' love for Dickens' work but I am perplexed as to why. In spite of its great length, if anyone asks me where they should start with Dickens, my answer will emphatically be Little Dorrit. It is sooo good, I am employing different ways to draw out the reading...mainly rereading genius passages (eg. the entire chapter regarding the Science of Government...hilarious because it is so true, as true now as it was then). I was thrown off for about two seconds with the opening chapter set in a Marseilles prison but, as per my experience with Dickens, the setting is secondary...it is always the characters that get me and hold me. I finally did meet Little Dorrit, Amy being her Christian name, and she is killing me, killing me. I understand Arthur Clennam's feelings towards her because I too want to protect her, provide for her, teach her, warn her, all while knowing she will do what her heart and mind guide her to do even if it hurts her in the end.
There is quite a bit of underlying tension in this work as Dickens introduces several sinister characters who are now cooling their heels in past chapters and I am just waiting for them to spring up at some point. The tension also stems from certain characters, like Amy's father, who continue to show their true character in episodes that astound this reader.
So I move on to Book the Second rich with riches...
Although wanting to stay as long as I can in the Dorrit story, I have put some thought to what I will be reading next. Specifically those thoughts are centered on the rereadability of Dickens. I have reread A Christmas Carol and found that I liked it the second time around. The first time I was ambivalent due to reading the classic in the wee hours of Dewey's read-a-thon when I am pretty sure I was not fully conscious. I want to know if my first Dickens read can withstand a rereading and will have the added benefit of reading it with others by joining A Literary Odyssey's Oliver Twist readalong.
5 comments:
I know what you mean about the book half-empty/half-full. I have really enjoyed quite a few Dickens works, especially Bleak House and Oliver Twist. I'm glad you are enjoying Little Dorrit -- I thought the BBC adaptation was excellent.
I totally agree that Little Dorrit is overlooked. It is currently tied for the honor of favorite Dickens with Our Mutual Friend. Since you're loving Little Dorrit, I strongly suggest you read Our Mutual Friend soon! It deals with a lot of the same themes, and the story is just so beautiful.
Karenlibrarian - I have the BBC adaptation on my queue and I am like a little kid looking forward to a special treat...once the book is done I will be spending a lot of evening parked on the couch watching:) I hope to read BH sometime this year and will be rereading OT during the upcoming readalong.
Read the Book - I have heard such good things about Our Mutual Friend and I do hope to read it soon. I am slowly collecting all of Dickens but this one hasn't made it to my shelf yet...but it will:)
Prepare to swoon when you watch the BBC version: Matthew McFadyen plays Arthur Clennam (*swoon*), and he is simply divine!
Read the Book - LOL...I have been picturing Arthur as the actor who played Doctor Harrison in the Cranford adaptation...not sure if I'll be able to shake that one:)
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