An early read-along posting due to computer issues...Negative criticism abounds when it comes to Dickens...to each his own...a couple I hear often have to do with the way Dickens ends a story: there are too many coincidences that tie up the loose threads a little too neatly and his happy endings are unrealistic. These criticisms have some truth to them but as a reader they don't bother me. I like my books that way because so much of life is void of happy endings or dreams coming true or discovered unexpected riches. Besides Dickens gives the characters, and the readers, what they deserve because they have endured and suffered so much. So Oliver Twist could not have ended any better for me because every one did get what they deserved and I like myself a little justice at the end of my books. I read the last third of this book with a great sense of urgency. Practically every page was gripping reading with all the revelations and the implosion of the devious and evil.
I have been fascinated by how different my two readings of this book have been. Nancy became so real to me as opposed to the very superficial character I found her to be previously. Her struggle and hopelessness and how blinded by love(?) she was, her death was haunting and Sikes deserved to be haunted as well.
I will read Oliver Twist again as well as Dickens' other works. So much detail is lost over time, so much not observed nor absorbed in a first reading, that each subsequent reading is that much richer and more fulfilling to the reader.
Thank you, Allie, for hosting. To think that I am almost didn't participate...
3 comments:
I agree that if we have to suffer along with favourite characters and endure death, disease and heart-break, the least the author can do is to provide have a happy ending - for those that survive! I don't think all of Dickens' endings are truly happy as we lose some good characters along the way.
I like your comments about finding deeper meanings and having a great sense of character in your second reading. I must bear this in mind as I have always suspected that revisiting certain texts would yield new treasures :-)
I just love Oliver Twist, I think it will always remain one of my favorite Dickens works. If you have not read Bleak House yet, I hope that you have time soon and that you love it as much as I do.
I look forward to your thoughts on Hard Times -- not one of my favorites, but hopefully you will like it better than I did.
Cristina - Your comment of losing some good characters along the way reminds me of some Dickens I have yet to read...The Old Curiosity Shop and Tale of Two Cities.
Karenlibrarian - I haven't started HT:( I wrote you an email with a little explanation why. I can see OT being one I reread over and over. It is a book that proves to get better with multiple reads.
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