Starting with Charles Dickens

For anyone interested in exploring the rich world of classic English literature the best place to start is the much cherished and beloved works of the celebrated author Charles Dickens. His writing is both surprisingly simple and engagingly rich. His themes nvolve  a resounding portrayal of human nature with all its failings and its strengths. His stories exult in the celebration of the resilience of the spirit, the joy of loving kindness, the lighter side of life. In stark contrast darkness and depravation, the hard realities of the times, tales of revenge, cruelty,depression and death, that leave a lasting impression about the honesty and contemporary relevance of the writing, also form the core of Charles Dickens works.  His unmatched skills of  clever word play, use of humour to express poignant thoughts, witticism and being true to the lives and times about which he was writing , make each of his novel, masterpieces in their own right. 

It is true that classics need more time then any average who-dun-it. It is so because to grasp its full beauty one most not only be interested in the plot-what happens next ? classics are intended to help you experience and enjoy the very art of writing; not only the story that is being told but also the manner in which the yarn has been spun. The painstaking details that the author has worked on to present it before us. This however is not a slight on other genres of literature. Different kinds of writings must simply be dealt with in different manners.Period.

Charles Dickens is an absolute reader's delight. Reading his novels, is a simple, but delightfully  spell binding journey through the writings of one of the most prolific writers of all times ! So go ahead and enjoy Dickension Delights !

I would be soon posting on which books to start with. But I suggest you start where your intuition tells you :) Happy Reading ! 

A tale of two cities

A tale of two cities is one of the best known classic novels of all times. Rich in language, visualizations, deep emotions and marked by a strong narration, Charles Dickens considered it his best work. 

Set in the times of French Revolution this novel brings to life the horror, the love, the courage and in general the intensity of the times. It created unforgettable characters like those of the strong and ruthless Madame Defarge, Doctor Alexandre Manette who despite much sufferings is kind and compassionate  and Sydney Carton,the unrequited lover who sought redemption by making the ultimate sacrifice.

While the novel is not very heavy to read, it certainly stirrs stronger emotions, unlike the general feel good writes of Charles Dickens. This is essentially because its based in true history, the ruthlessness, the fear are true to the times. It must be read for the rich simplicity of language, memorable characters that are part of literary history and the sheer genius of Charles Dickens in presenting an ending that is full of hope yet beautifully sad. 

It starts with the beautiful seemingly paradoxical lines :

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,

it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,

it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity"

And so it goes on...page by page,even as the story is at times seeping in sadness,one pauses and breathes a sigh at the breathtakingly beautiful magic , the words of a great writer can weave... 

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

This is an all time favourite Christmas classic written by Charles Dickens. Its a warm, heart touching story of a man who in his greedy pursuit of money  forsaken ever human kindness. Hje shrinks into his world of gold and dismisses every celebration of the spirit of humanity on Christmas. How some ghosts appear before him, show him glimpses of the past, present and future and how ultimately lead his soul onto the path of redemption, is what 'A Christmas Carol' is all about.

This character, Scrooge, has been immortalized through this novel. He is also the namesake for the much loved Uncle Scrooge of Disney's Duck Tales. Its a much adored tale; the sheer delights of which one wants to soak in on a cold winter night besides a warm fire...or for that matter any time at all !

Dickens'  'A Christmas Carol' is a much loved Christmas story the world over as it truly celebrates the spirit of Christmas; a time when everyone find in their hearts space for some loving kindness !  

A beautiful story that must be read for the sheer genuine happiness and warmth it brings to the heart !

Pickwick Papers is the first novel of master story-teller Charles Dickens. Through its 800+ pages Dickens reveals his unmatched sense of humour, wit, irony, satire and empathy. The basic setting of the novel is as follows :

The novel journalizes the travels and en route adventures of members of the Pickwick Club( based in England, named after the founder Samuel Pickwick who is also a member of the traveling party). It can also be considered a collection of stories, as on their way, the club members often come across strangers in a bar, in an inn who have their own stories to tell. Each story has a definite theme ; which vary from kindness,funny to etching out the grim realities of life. They linger on long after u have finished reading them.Thus Dickens weaves a complex yet brilliant web of tales within a tale.

The humour in the novel is unparalleled and its beauty lies in the fact, that nearly two centuries from the time they were first written the jokes and anecdotes, the foibles of humanity, still a hearty laughter ! The language is rich yet simple enough for readers who at times find the English of old classics slightly difficult to grasp.

The size of the novel can intimidate one, but once you start with the book, the genius of Charles Dickens' craftsmanship keeps one engrossed. It is not a murder-mystery that one usually tries to finish in record time :) Instead it is a vintage work, to be read at leisure or f you wish to seek solace through some charmed moments spent in the luxury of an unhurried past.

However I would say do not take my word for it ! If you have never read a Charles Dickens before I would suggest you start with A Christmas Carol. It is a novelette which will give you a basic sense of Dickens writings i.e. its simplicity, visual imagery and richness. Humour however is more of a corner stone of Pickwick Papers. I for one always keep my personal copy of Pickwick Papers by my bedside. Its a tremendous stress buster and always takes me to my happy place :)

Whichever book you choose happy reading !