Seven of our group met to chat about our Dickens experience and,
once again, the table was split. Some loved it and loved the language, others
didn't (on both counts.) We agreed to differ and gradually found an equilibrium
in a mutual understanding kind of way.
Read through the challenges of 'strangely'
named characters and Victorian grammar (written to be read out loud) to find a
rich description of social hypocrisy and cruelty at its very best.
Take time to enjoy the gentle pace, fine
detail and subtle humour (Boundersby was so like a Monty Python sketch) to do
try to understand what the Dickens it's all about.
Even those who didn't really 'get it'
agreed that the characters did come to life and the story is a wonderful
depiction (albeit perhaps a little unbelievable) of Northern industrial town
living in Dickens' time. We loved Stephen and Rachael, disliked Boundersby and
Tom, had no opinion of Gradgrind, felt sorry for Louisa and enjoyed the circus
folk.
Would we recommend it? on this we all
agree: It's not the best Dickens book BUT read more Dickens!
Our next book is Private Peaceful by
Michael Morpurgo and we will meet to discuss our thoughts on this read on
Thursday 13th November, 8pm at the Ashendon Hundred.
No comments:
Post a Comment