Sikes and Nancy and Other Public Readings - Charles Dickens

Advantages: The full story, excellent humour, writing style
Disadvantages: May be heavy going for some

...and the Artful Dodger portrayed as lovable rogues, who while being criminals are as good as gold really. In the book however you see them as much darker characters, Fagin particularly. But at the end, when Fagin gets his just deserts, you feel sorry for him not because he is being punished but because of the way his mind goes. Charles Dickens writes his character so powerfully you can't help but be moved. If possible Bill Sikes is an even darker character too, but also more three dimensional. He's a terrible character, and there's no escaping that, but he also shows a softer side at times too, very rare, but it happens. It is worthy of note that there are characters in the book, important characters, that don't even get a mention in the musical or Roman Polanski's version. I don't know if any of the others stuck more closely to the book... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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 lines in English Literature "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" this complex novel slowly gains speed and builds into an incredibly thought provoking and compelling read. I'm not 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Excellent story, lots of ups and downs
Disadvantages: Sometimes the coincental meetings sound a bit far fetched

...David Copperfield was a book that I was supposed to have studied for o level in school. I hated it I only read about 5 pages and I just could not stand it. After 26 years I decided to try again and I could not believe how wonderful it was. I think you have to be an adult or at least to have experienced some sort of life to appreciate Charles Dickens. The story is written as an autobiography, and from what I am told is loosley based on Dickens life. The basic story is a boy is born, his father already dead. He grows up in a happy home, with his mother and housekeeper. His mother eventually remarries and the stepfather detests the child sending him to boarding school where he is badly treated. Without giving away any more of the story, he works hard and becomes a success and ends up happy, but along the way encounters... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful