Classics > Charles Dickens Classics

Had low expectations but great results

Advantages: Great story that offers so much to the reader that they won't want to stop until it's over
Disadvantages: May miss parts of the audio and story

...out passages. When assigned Great Expectations these were the ideas that were conjured up in my mind and I tried so hard to avoid reading the book so I figured listening to it would be better. As soon as I heard the first chapter though I was hooked. The story begins with the excitement of the main character Pip meeting a convict, while in a graveyard visiting his parents graves. The convict takes everything Pip has and asks where his mother is, ...
...to be a happy ending. Great Expectations is so many things, a fake biography, a fairy tale, or a mystery story, which could entice any reader. And those wishing to read "the classics" or even a little Dickens should look to Great Expectations first. This classic is a great addition to any book shelf and to listen to someone else read it almost makes the story seem that more real. The only problem I had was that as I stopped to think about the great ...

wafflejr 02.03.2009 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

David Copperfield

Advantages: An exhilirating novel from arguably England's finest author of all time.
Disadvantages: In some parts there are long passges of descriptive writing

...literay interest, the method of character portrayal achieved in this book is fascinating and hard to define. As always the main character of the novel is the less colourful of all those around him. In conclusion if one is ever going to read Dickens, David Copperfied is a must. ...

JohnParkinson 03.07.2006 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

A complex, enjoyable, classic Dickens publication.

Advantages: Everything good about Dickens' style is displayed in a challenging and consuming read.
Disadvantages: Perhaps starts a little slowly before gaining speed, very challenging in parts, but is rewarding.

A Tale of Two Cities is a well known and popular novel by Charles Dickens, typically considered among his best publications. Although this is not my personal favourite in terms of Dickens' publications it is still deserving of all 5 stars. The great thing about this book is that it is more than just a fascinating and twisting story; but also an insight into class conflicts and struggles of the French Revolution. From perhaps the most famous opening ...
...sure if I can name a more intriguing character than Madam Defarge. This can be, in parts, difficult to follow and fully understand, but throughout you can feel Dickens' genious in the putting together of this complicated masterpiece. The only disadvantage I could possibly name is that perhaps it starts a little too slowly; I certainly enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. This is another great read for any fans of Dickens' work, ...

dizzy07 02.08.2008 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

A Great social-criticism

Advantages: Olivers innocence
Disadvantages: Fagin-evil

Oliver Twist is one of Dickens greatest books examining how children are vulnerable and can be exploited by adults. I first read this book at school for my GCSE coursework and at first didn't find it that interesting but when I read between the lines it made much more sense. Oliver is a boy abandoned at the workhouse by his mother when he is a baby. When he is older Oliver becomes a member of Fagin's gang of thieves where he is taken advantage of ...
...with Oliver being abandoned and accused of being a pickpocket then being taken in by Mr Brownlow. Oliver is then kidnapped by Mr Sykes and then taken back to the criminal underworld. Soon Mr Brownlow tries to get Oliver back and sets up a meeting to hand Oliver over with Nancy who is Sykes' girlfriend. When Sykes finds out he finds Nancy before the meet and Murders her. Oliver gets back to Mr Brownlow and it ends up with Fagin and the other thieves ...

allan1500 24.02.2006 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

Love Story, Murder Mystery and Satire all in one

Advantages: Rewarding, interesting and a real, cosy, ol' fashioned story!
Disadvantages: Quite a large time investment involved

Our Mutual Friend, By Charles Dickens Some Background The novel was originally published in 1865 and was his last completed work before his death in the summer of 1870. During the latter years of his writing career Dickens moved away from the more comic plots of his earlier years, and developed a far more complex and brooding style. Our Mutual Friend typifies this formula with its numerous, complicated and interlinked plot lines set largely along ...
...so immense and complex that it is without doubt difficult to categorise: It is a love story, a murder mystery, a psychological thriller and a smirk-ridden satire of contemporary society at every level. Main Characters To say to much at this point would be to tell to much - I don't want to ruin the twist in the tail of this one, but here is a useful breakdown of characters and a description (as they stand at the beginning of the book) The Hexams: ...

missJoL 07.09.2005 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Our Mutual Friend - Charles Dickens