To Be Read at Dusk

By Charles Dickens

There isn’t really a synopsis for this short story by Dickens, so I’ll just summarize and review right here. This is a story about a man who is watching a beautiful sunset in the Swiss Alps and happens to evesdrop on five couriers as they tell a ghost story. While not particularly frightening for people who are used to gore and movies like Ouija and The Ring, it is a nice little ghost story for the time period and a quick fun read. I can’t really explain more without giving things away. So, if you like Dickens, if you like a traditional ghost story, then this is worth the hour it takes to read it. Oh, and I recommend taking the author's advice. Read it at dusk!

I give it a 3 out of 5- average.

Jacob T. Marley

By R. William Bennett

“Marley was dead to begin with…”

 These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennet rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge’s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn’t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge?

 Or had he?

 

 

This has got to be one of, if not the, best finds of last year. If you love Christmas Carol, you have to read this, just give it a chance. I was intrigued, but figured it would be somebody trying (and failing) to ride the coattails of Dickens. This is not only a great book in it's own respect, but it is a wonderful addition to a much loved Christmas classic that has been told and retold in more ways than I can count. It is the story of Marley, before Scrooge, with Scrooge, and after Scrooge. It gives readers a glimpse into the reasons for Scrooge's fall through Marley's past and mistakes. It takes us readers into the story we all know so well through a different perspective: dead Marley and the ghosts themselves. And most fantastically, we get to see what happens to Scrooge after Tiny Tim proclaims "God bless us, every one!" And what happens to Marley, who you will grow to love. This is a great story that will warm your heart.

 

I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens

Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is warned by his old partner, dead 7 years, that he is headed down the path that will bind him into chains if he doesn’t change. Scrooge is visited by three spirits and learns what his life was, what it is and what it could be.

So I read this aloud to my parents over Christmas break and heartily enjoyed it. I finally seemed to get through to my mother in saying that Dickens is wicked awesome and quite witty. I'd never read this famous novel and wasn't disappointed, having read a few of his other books. Ebenezer Scrooge is a deliciously colorful character, which makes it so much fun to meet the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future with him. Dickens makes this tale a message to us all what not only the Christmas season is about, but what life is about- love and happiness and family. I can't say how enjoyable it was to retire to the living room around the Christmas tree each night to read a bit of this novel. It left all of us feeling contented and warm; I hope to continue the tradition every year.

A Tale of Two Cities

By Charles Dickens

Where "Great Expectations" lacks realism, "A Tale of Two Cities" follows a record of historical events. Being so well crafted, it is remarkable the novel was written under than duress of constant deadlines. Following the deadlines of a serial, it would seem easy to digress into fluff. Protagonist Charles Darnay is caught between the parallels of England and France, nobility and peasantry. Though the wording is very plotting at times, readers will expect some twists and be surprised by others. Taking an unlikely bride, Darney would seem to have reached an equilibrium. But two trials for treason lead to revelations threaten to tear all that is sacred from him. Known as the villain, Madame Defarge may hold a reputation with some before reading the book. Yet plot details are able to reveal her as a sympathetic character. Yet the vile nature of her plotting ultimately corrupts this glimmer. With themes of social justice and the French Revolution in the background, historians have come to appreciate this work. Those who read the book with less appreciative eyes may overlook the biting humor in the novel. Omitting this aspect is allowing one's self to miss a highlight of the book. It is a novel that has greatness hidden in many places."


I will never forget Sydney Carton. How his character struck me! This book has been looked at with apprehension by many (including me) probably since it was first published. Everyone knows the immortal first line, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Most people don’t get past the first page. Dickens tends to do that to people. But boy is it worth it to keep plowing through! I myself love Dickens, so I’m a little biased. I will however, tell you that there is a lot in this novel that seemed unnecessary and-dare I say it? Too wordy. That kills me to say, but I think that the point could have been gotten to a bit quicker and consisely. It’s hard to follow what character is talking because Dickens refers to them by at least 3 different names each. So, while the middle parts are a bit muddy to me, the basic point of the novel was very well learned. The French Revolution was more than awful. This novel is poetic and beautiful in its terrible setting. It gave me chills reading those last few pages, and sent great thrills in my heart as I read those last lines, “Tis a far better thing that I do now than I’ve ever done before.”

David Copperfield

By Charles Dickens

"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." So begins Dickens story of David Copperfield, a young man whose journey through an impoverished childhood brings him into an adult life that is eventually filled with material success as he takes up authorship.
Full of memorable characters and in classic Dickens style, David Copperfield tells the story about the life of a young man who takes us through many of the lessons we all must learn and shows us his triumphs and mistakes. David shows us through his life that kindness and amiability will win us friends, fortunes, and treasures beyond all earthly possessions.


YAY!! I finally finished! Okay, I started this months ago, and sorta died and lost interest about halfway through (it's an 800 page book in the culture of victorian england) and didn't pick it up until three days ago. Accordingly, I couldn't put it down, and finished it in that short time. The ending was very full of surprising circumstances and I was hooked. It was quite fun to follow the characters, whom Dickens always portrays so vividly. David's Aunt Betsy Trotwood was quite hilarious, as a woman who disdained matrimony and was forever chasing donkeys off of her property, waving her bonnet and scaring any folk who came around. Uriah Heep was always writhing and making me cringe with his declarations of being 'umble. And then there was Mr. Micawber with his flowery letters and lack of common sense when it came to expenses. Each character, no matter how small in the story, was represented so wonderfully that I can immediately call up their likeness in my mind.
As for the story itself, I admit is a bit hard to get through (as it took me a few months with a grand break in the middle). Reading 800 pages of the slow-moving pace at which David narrates his story is a bit trying. Especially since I've gotten quite out of the habbit of reading slower...I usually devour books in a short while, so it was difficult to slow down. But as with all of the classic literature the first thing I said when I read the last line was, "I love Dickens." with a sigh and a smile. It's a great work of literature, and I enjoyed it greatly, and I enjoy the day after when I keep thinking of all the things I've read. Apparently from the little I know of Dickens himself, this book is supposed to be losely based on his own life. I don't much like to read other people's oppinions though, they tend to ruin a great work of literature for me by making it base and perverting it. When all is said and done, I loved reading it, and especially the last two paragraphs where David Praises the love of his life in making him into the man he became.