Charles Dickens is two hundred years old. Never mind that he died on 9th June 1870, Charles Dickens is two hundred years own because Charles Dickens has lived on through his words. It didn't end on that day in 1870, we're still reading his works, still reading about him in biographies, blog posts, Tweets, and newspaper articles, and we're still watching television and film adaptations, as well as the documentaries on various channels all over the world.
He lives on. I used to hate him. I found him long-winded, unbearably so, and having read Hard Times for my A Levels, I never managed much more until late last year when I read (and loved) Oliver Twist. I never would have imagined I would go on to at least attempt to work through his major novels, let alone find any pleasure anywhere in it. But I did. I quickly came to loving his novels, and still (even though I disliked Pickwick Papers) am thoroughly enjoying reading him. And he is more loved in society than any other author I know. He's an institution, and rightly so.
Tonight, I am reading The Old Curiosity Shop (I would have liked to have made a day of it, but things didn't run accordingly). So far I'm loving it, not just the story but feeling the connection - the book, all of his books, connect many millions. I like that: I like knowing that since 1841 when the book was published, so many have read the same words as I have read. One hundred and seventy years ago, there was no doubt a young woman who sat in her bed when she ought to have gone to sleep and read and loved it. It's the same scenario for all of his works, and we're connected to so many through two centuries by reading them. So many people have read and will read him, and I have that small link with them all.
Is anyone else having a Charles Dickens night? If yes, leave me a comment and tell me what you're doing or have done to mark the occasion :)
'He's an institution and rightly so.' Well said!
ReplyDeleteI really want to get to Old Curiosity Shop soon. I think that will be my Dickens read after Great Expectations.
I think I'll celebrate by watching something Dickens related (adaptation or biography). I might also rope my family into singing Happy Birthday Charlie! over a treat of some sort. Yes, I would gladly sing to Dickens!
I'm reading three of Dickens' novels this month, and a biography. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read The Old Curiosity Shop! I think I eventually want to read all of his novels.
I'm SOOOO with you on loving the connection to millions, when I read.
I love your thought about the young Dickens reader! I always feel that way when I am visiting a building which is many hundred years old. I touch the wall and think about how many hands have touched it before, I just wish there was a way to connect to these people. .. Why the hell is time travelling impossible?!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I wanted to make Tuesday a special day by reading the wonderful Dickens Bicentenary Biography, but Amazon has destroyed my plans with a shipping delay...
I'm not having a Dickens moment but I was quite taken with your thoughts about connection with a work, all this time later -- very striking revelation -- one that resonates strongly with me, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou put this so well. :) I'm coming around to Dickens. I'm currently reading David Copperfield (since you recommended it!) and I am LOVING IT.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to think of all the others who have read his work as well.
I was thinking something similar to this when I last viewed some older artwork at The Huntington. I imagined all the others, who have over time (sometimes very long periods of time), viewed those very same works of art. There is something quite exciting about that kind of shared experience that lets us know we are part of something that transcends time.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea of reading through an author's major novels. I can't commit to reading through Dickens' major novels right now (or Woolf's for that matter), but I like the idea and I'm impressed that you have done so.
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