After finishing Martin Chuzzlewit, by Charles Dickens, I wondered if I had made a mistake committing myself to reading ten novels by Dickens this year. I liked Martin Chuzzlewit, but I didn’t love it. Maybe I was reading too much by the same author? Then I opened to the first page of David Copperfield and I knew I would love the novel. For some reason the first paragraph hooked me immediately.
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. To begin my life with the beginning of my life, I record that I was born (as I have been informed and believe) on a Friday, at twelve o’clock at night. It was remarked that the clock began to strike, and I began to cry, simultaneously.
He has such an ease with his writing. The paragraph above doesn’t tell that much information and yet it still conveys so much. After reading the first monthly installment of David Copperfield, Thackeray exclaimed, “Bravo Dickens.” I concur. I started this novel a few days ago and when I find the time to sit down to read it, I devour large chunks. He has sucked me into the story completely and once again I think he is one of the best writers.
What writers do you love?
50 Year Project 
Dickens was a master I agree. One of my favorite authors is Carlos Castaneda. Fact or fiction, his message was clear and profound.
I haven’t read Castaneda yet. I’ll have to keep an eye out for some of his works. Thanks!
I have too many to name but one thing is for sure, while I can really like a chunky novel, there has never been one I loved. I tend to prefer more lyrical, shorter works but if I have to name a 19th century author it would be Balzac.
I’m glad you like this one.
I have always loved a large book. I like to dig into a story and have it captivate me for awhile. And for a couple of years I avoided shorter novels. I’ve gotten over this luckily. Good to know you like Balzac. There are three on my 1001 list.
I’ve always loved Charles Dickens, but I think my favorite book author is probably Jonathan Swift. I love his satires.
I plan on reading Gulliver’s Travels later this month. I haven’t read much of Swift’s work yet but I do love satires. Thanks for the comment. Now I’m even more excited for Gulliver.
If you get a chance, check out A Modest Proposal by Swift. It’s only a few pages long, but it’s one of my favorites by him. Although, that could just be my morbid sense of humour 😛
I will! And I checked and A Modest Proposal is on my 1001 list. Morbid sense of humor, now you have me really curious about it 🙂
David Copperfield is definitely one of the easier of Dickens’ works to read. Enjoy the rest of the story – it has a few twists 🙂
I am noticing the twists…I’m about 300 pages into it and it really is a pleasure.
All writers have their good and their not so good works. It makes reading more enjoyable if you try to analyze what you don’t like about a particular work: what does Dickens do in Copperfield that he doesn’t do in, say, Great Expectations (the Dickens novel I don’t care for)?
I love reading Austen and looking at how she grows as a writer from novel to novel. When I read Sense and Sensibility I did not consider it her best work, but I also know that it was her first novel. It’s actually great to read it and see how she is just beginning to develop the thoughts and techniques she will later employ in Pride and Prejudice.
Books that changed my life and the way I think about reading are Nabokov’s Pale Fire and House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski.
Austen is one of my favorite writers as well. When I finish the Dickens books on my list I want to read hers. I haven’t read Sense and Sensibility yet, but it sounds like I should read it first. I’ve read Pride and Prejudice many times and I love it.
I’ve written the Nabokov and Danielewski titles down. I haven’t read them but your endorsement has swayed me to change that. Thanks!
I love Dickens too, but wouldn’t be able to read 10 of his novels in one year. I like to read his stuff slowly so I can savor all the details.
Austen is a huge favorite of mine too. You will love Sense and Sensibility.
I understand your wanting to savor Dickens. He has such a way with words. His descriptions, character development, and plots blow me away. What a talent. I’m looking forward to Sense and Sensibility. Austen sounds like a good project for next year.
Austen is a favourite…Diana Gabaldon and Patricia Cornwell are two of the modern writers – oh and I have fallen madly in love with anything Jasper Fforde writes…the man is a genius, and a funny one at that
Many people have mentioned Fforde to me lately. I need to get some of his books and find out what the hub bub is about 🙂 I do love Austen. I fall for her stories every time.
He is brilliant. His Thursday Next series is so clever. There are two worlds…the real world and a book world. Thursday Next travels between them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursday_Next
Then there is his Nursery Crime series…brilliant.
I was introduced to him with Shades of Grey…and have been hooked ever since. It is about a world where people are colour coded and graded on the shades. Spoons are the currency of that realm.
That sounds pretty cool. I love clever people and clever writers are even better. I’ll check out my library first and if they don’t have any copies I’ll hit up the used bookstores. Thanks!!! I’m always looking for an excuse to go book shopping.
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying Dickens again. I’ve never read David Copperfield, but after reading your endorsement, I’ll have to put it on my list.
When it comes to classics, I’m a Mark Twain fan through and through. I’m hoping to get to read his autobiography soon. It’s about 800 pages, so a really good use for my Nook. You could throw your back out commuting with that book.
I do enjoy Mark Twain…his satire hits the mark and makes me laugh and think. I wish I could tell stories like him. Good luck with the autobiography. I haven’t read it yet, but it is on my list.
I have been thinking of reading Martin Chuzzlewit… did you not like it??
I liked it, but didn’t love it. I found it started off slow and then after a few hundred pages it picked up. But it wasn’t his best work, in my opinion. Dickens said that the thought it was his best novel.
hmmm and most all professional reviews say the same.. his best book. ok.. i will second think this lol.. too many other things I could read! lol thanks!
Exactly…I’ve read that some really loved it, but it didn’t work completely for me.
That paragraph from Dickens totally reminds me of Isabel Allende’s writing. Which I enjoy very much although she doesn’t have a great range of content. But she is a great story teller. I love her use of language and would like to read her in original copy. But I’m not able of Spanish.
I haven’t read Allende but I’ve been meaning to. Thanks for commenting. I’ll be on the lookout for some of her books!
What writers do I love? surely you know the answer 😉
I have heard so much great things about this book but the size of it always made me think more than twice. I am glad you like it, TBM 🙂
To be honest, i haven’t read anything by Dickens yet despite the fact I really like Oliver Twist. I tried reading Oliver once but the language was too high for me…I was totally lost in translation @.@
I need to read some Stephen King. So many bloggers absolutely love his writing and I want to find out why. I have The Stand, but it is large so I keep putting it off. I will get to him eventually 🙂
I have to admit that his writing style is not the best compare to other but he is a great story teller
I have heard that and to be honest that doesn’t bother me. I focus more on the story and not the style.
Awesome to be back in love and so captured by a book!
I really am!
I read this book when I was in my university years – I believe I read it for a week, and enjoyed it too. I know what you mean about being traumatized by a not-so-good piece of literature that you begin dreading the next book that you crack open. I’ve had similar experiences several months back, and it really frightened me a bit. I am just glad that the more recent books that I have read turned out to be really wonderful.
It is shocking how even a lover of books can get scared that they may not like a book and be turned off from a writer completely. I’m happy to hear that your episode was short lived and some other books rescued you.
Great post! Dickens is one of my favorites, Alexander Dumas, Maya Angelou and Lisa See are a few others I love…
I love Maya Angelou…what a talent. I haven’t read Dumas or See yet. I’ll keep an eye out for some of their books. Thanks! I’m always looking for “new” authors to read.