Least to Most Favourite Dickens Novels

Подписаться 30 тыс.

Просмотров 37 тыс.

0% 0

#Victober
In which I rank Dickens’s novels . . .
What the Dickens video series: • What the Dickens? (A f...
What the Dickens David Copperfield updated: • What the Dickens? Davi...
Dombey and Son, Feminist Victorians: • Dombey and Son, by Cha...
--Books Mentioned--
Oliver Twist: / 18254.oliver_twist
Nicholas Nickleby: / 325085.nicholas_nickleby
Barnaby Rudge: / 11026.barnaby_rudge
The Pickwick Papers: / 229432.the_pickwick_pa...
Martin Chuzzlewit: / 1990.martin_chuzzlewit
A Tale of Two Cities: / 1953.a_tale_of_two_cities
The Old Curiosity Shop: / 429024.the_old_curiosi...
Hard Times: / 5344.hard_times
Great Expectations: / 2623.great_expectations
David Copperfield: / 58696.david_copperfield
Bleak House: / 31242.bleak_house
Little Dorrit: / 31250.little_dorrit
Dombey and Son: / 50827.dombey_and_son
Our Mutual Friend: / 31244.our_mutual_friend
--General links--
My website: www.katielumsden.co.uk
Facebook: / justbooksandthings
Twitter: / katiejlumsden
Instragram: / katiejlumsden
Goodreads: / katie-lumsden
NaNoWriMo: nanowrimo.org/participants/kat...
Foyles Affiliate link: www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmi...
Email: katie.booksandthings@gmail.com

Опубликовано:

28 июн 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 329

@fredericonerkis3804 Год назад

A terrific summary. I am 72 years old and decided I have to read Dickens - so last year I started with the intention of reading all of them and I am currently on my 13th which is Barnaby Rudge. I have enjoyed all of them to different degrees. They take a while to get into but then you are hooked! The declaration of love in Our Mutual friend is one of the most memorable passages in any book in my view an absolutely amazing rendition of the discovery of love between two individuals.

@misskittymultitasker5775 5 месяцев назад

Love how it is never too late to dive in!

@ralphsmith2209 9 месяцев назад

Dickens has been my favourite writer ever since I was 13 years old and our teacher read us David Copperfield. I wrote both a MA thesis and a PhD dissertation on Dickens. More recently I wrote a prequel novel to Bleak House that should be in print soon. I really loved your enthusiastic presentation. Well done! Ralph Smith

@crybaby7613 Год назад

In Oliver Twist I think the side characters are supposed to be the main characters. I think dickens intentionally focused more on writing interesting side characters to shed light upon them.

@DwightWalker 2 года назад

I like Hard Times. You did an amazing job remembering so many characters from so many novels of Dickens.

@latavarma6980 3 года назад

David Lean has done justice to Oliver Twist. There are boys who are like Oliver - shy and frightened. Characters are so different in Dickens’ novels that each of his work is a masterpiece.

@DATo_DATonian Год назад

Finally!!! Someone who has noted and lauded Tommy Traddles. I have always said that he is one of Dickens' greatest but least appreciated heroic characters.

@katiejlumsden Год назад

He's the best!

@DATo_DATonian Год назад

@@katiejlumsden And let us not forget Martha. When Daniel Peggoty asked David -at the end when they were on the ship which was to take them to Australia - if he had forgotten anything, and David replied, "Martha." Daniel tapped the shoulder of a girl behind him and it was Martha. He was taking her with them. I totally lost it. It was the same effect as finding out who the man standing in the corner of the room was in _To Kill A Mockingbird_ it simply blew me away. Tears and smiles .. had to put the book down and take a walk around the room before I could pick it up again.

@judygoddard3869 Год назад

Very interesting selection. You’ve stirred my curiosity. I now want to read Our Mutual Friend for sure!! Personally, my favourite is David Copperfield. I’m sure the critics would say Bleak House or Great Expectations, but for me DC has the biggest heart. It is the most vivid and alive of his novels. It also contains more memorable characters than most novelists manage in their whole career.

@arbicuswoo 2 года назад

What a fabulous video. I just finished a re-read of Great Expectations today and I am still a little breathless from its brilliance. I also LOVE Our Mutual Friend and am looking forward to reading Dombey for the first time this Victober! Thank you!

@patriciadeane7250 Год назад

Love your enthusiasm regarding Dickens! Thank you for the reviews on each individual book……now I’ll have to read another Dickens book!

@amusicalbookworm 3 года назад

This was really fun to see your rankings! I have Old Curiosity Shop, Bleak House, and Great Expectations on my owned-TBR pile, so I’m glad to see all three of them are fairly high up on your list!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Hope you enjoy them all!

@mamaneedstoreadromance Год назад

This is so cool! I found you through Charlie and her Victober TBR. Looking forward to following this series!

@beverleyroberts1025 2 года назад

Thank you. A good honest and helpful review. I've just started reading Great Expectations and I'm loving it so much that I'm now thinking of which Dicken's book to read next. So your video has been very helpful! 😊

@Andrew-sc2yz Год назад

If there’s one thing I enjoy almost as much as Dickens, it’s lists! Suffice to say, this particular video is one of my very favourite things on RU-vid. 👌 For what it’s worth: 5. Great Expectations 4. Our Mutual Friend 3. Dombey And Son 2. David Copperfield 1. Bleak House But your overwhelming enthusiasm leaves me tempted to align my order with yours! The power of suggestion and all that! :) Keep up the amazing work. 👏

@ReadABookGem 3 года назад

Loved this and your enthusiasm is so infectious! I have quite a few novels of Dickens left to read but this has made me really excited to get to them 😊

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks so much Gemma :)

@buddhabillybob 3 года назад

Once again, fantastic video! Thank you for all of your quality content. It's been a long, dark year here in the States, so a little literature break means a lot!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much!

@deegeraghty3421 3 года назад

Thank you so much for your brilliant analysis of Dickens's novels. Will definitely read Dombey & Son & Martin Chuzzlewit. Have read the others. Your enthusiasm is great !

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks!

@arnavshahal 2 года назад

For me , so far I have read Great Expectations is my personal favorite Charles Dickens book. Good to see your list, I am thankful to you for suggesting Hard Times!

@janedoefamily6458 2 года назад

I'm so happy with the French subtitles for this video. It's nice to be able to mix my hobby of language learning with my hobby of reading Victorian novels. If all of the videos from this channel have French subs, I'll be binge-watching them. 🌹 💕

@hershey1373 2 года назад

I've just found your channel and love your content!❤ I don't have any friends who like to read classics so finding someone who voices their opinions and shares interest in classics(especially ones by Charles Dickens and Jane Austen) made my day!

@barbaraladouceur6305 Год назад

I found that the speed that you talk was breathtaking and overwhelming to the point that I just wanted to slow you down, but what you had to say about Dickens novels and your enthusiasm for them was really compelling. I have always had great respect for Dickens as a writer (really because of movies based on his novels), but I can't recall that I've ever read any of his novels except A Christmas Carol. Now I will start reading him based on your reviews of your favorite Dickens novels. And I have just subscribed to your channel, so I look forward to hearing more lists of your favorite books!

@mikesnyder1788 2 года назад

My top ten goes: 1. Pickwick papers 2. A tale of two cities 3. Little Dorrit 4. David Copperfield 5. Mystery of Edwin Drood 6. Nicholas Nickleby 7. Bleak House 8. Great expectations 9. Hard Times. I am currently reading/listening to Our Mutual Friend and this novel is certain be one of my favorites. I very much enjoyed this program and I so appreciate your enthusiasm for and knowledge of The Inimitable One!

@heathermiller9707 10 месяцев назад

This was great. I love your enthusiasm! And I agree with your rankings.

@heidegger101 3 месяца назад

Great job. I have only read David Copperfield but I absolutely adored it. You make me want to read your numbers 1-4 now.

@violettacordelia 3 года назад

I loved this video! I also love Dickens. I’ve read all 14 of his completed novels, and Dombey and Son is my favorite. It’s so so good!

@Eliot832 3 года назад

Oh I am so pleased you made this video! You probably won't remember, but I commented a few months ago requesting a video in which you rank all of Dickens's novels! Thank you for doing this! You turned me onto Dickens, and prompted me to read Our Mutual Friend and Dombey and Son this summer. Cheers!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much :) Hope you enjoyed Our Mutual Friends and Dombey and Son :)

@meghanthestorygirl4581 3 года назад

You have REALLY made me want to read Dombey and Son!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Oh you must, it's so good!

@margobilletz4124 Год назад

Your voice is sharp and tinny. It is unpleasant to old people. Sorry, it sounds like you are really knowledgeable about Dickens, but I just cannot listen.

@staswiatrowski7805 Год назад

This is a brilliant journey through all of Dickens's novels, thank you. I recently complained to a friend of mine that I just wasn't enjoying reading anymore and he suggested I go back to Dickens. (Like you I love his work and have read all of his novels). I nearly started Dombey and Son because I read it so many years ago and have no memory of it, but chose David Copperfield instead. I will read Dombey and Son again this year on your recommendation. (Little Dorrit is my personal favourite.)

@atticustheanglophile5319 3 года назад

I learned about your channel through those original Dickens videos, and so this kinda felt like a nice nostalgia. Plus, I didn’t even know I needed this video as much as I do now until I read the notification for it. #MadeMyDay

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks so much :D And yes, felt weirdly nostalgic for me too.

@LuminousLibro 3 года назад

So wonderful to hear all your thoughts about Dickens! I am amazed at how you are able to give a concise description of each book, because it is almost impossible to describe a Dicken's book since they are all so complex.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks so much! It really is so hard to describe his books - I feel like I have to just pick one or two elements or characters as he has so many plots.

@VoyageofaTimeWanderer 3 года назад

Thanks for this updated/concise ranking... I always go back to your Dickens author week to check your rankings before I chose the next Dickens book to read so this makes things easy for me haha! The first Dickens I ever read was Oliver Twist and if I hadn't heard from you that it was your least favourite, I don't know if I would have continued on with him or just assumed he wasn't an author I enjoyed. Right now I'm struggling to decide my favourite Dickens between A Tale of Two Cities and Bleak House (although it could just be that those are the two that I read this year... I feel like every Dickens I finish I think is my favourite!).

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much! So glad you enjoy Dickens :)

@tarrynharris373 3 года назад

Our mutual friend is also one of my favourite books (not just of Charles Dickens). What I Iove so much is while it has it's bleak moments, unlike a lot of his other work it has so much variety in character, setting and theme. It is such a well balanced book. Reading it again at the moment. I really want to get a nice leather cover hard copy version at some point.

@juliequick5526 3 года назад

Of the 2 novels I’ve read so far, Bleak House is my fave, but there are so many more to read. Yes, can find Dickens overly long,, but them I’m rewarded with some wonderful passages! You introduced me to him as I’d always been scared that I wouldn’t understand his writing. Thanks as always 💖

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much - Dickens is just so great :)

@hamiltonpaul73 3 года назад

Thanks for reminding me what a capacious universe Dickens has created. I am close to finishing my first reading of all of Dickens’ novels. I did two of your read-alongs: Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend - which we’re both great . . . I have just one novel remaining, Martin Chuzzlewit . . . but honestly I had forgotten what an unbelievable variety of characters are featured in his books! The scope is just stunning. It is hard to measure the vitality of these characters. They are really like nothing else in literature - completely unique and utterly distinctive . . .

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much! Dickens is just a great author. I hope you enjoy Martin Chuzzlewit :)

@annetteholman2999 2 года назад

My favorites are DOMBEY AND SON and BLEAK HOUSE, least loved HARD TIMES. Dickens' women are less developed and lack the depth he allows his male characters but all his books are super.

@neveroutofbooks9960 3 года назад

I read Dombey and Son based on your channel this month. It is by far my favorite Dickens at this point in my life. I mean, I’ve only read three, but still! It deserves more hype than it gets.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Yay, glad you enjoy Dombey and Son, it's SO good.

@cynthiaespinoza4514 3 года назад

Thank you for this video! I'm thinking of reading Dickens in 2021. I'm setting up my reading goals today :)

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Enjoy!

@patriciatolliver4057 Год назад

Patty- my favorite was Great Expectations. I had to read in my first year of high-school. It is still my favorite. I loved Joe, the woman he marries later in the story and how Pip's character grows throughout the book. I love Dickens period but I think this book will always be my favorite.

@davidbutterworth9578 Год назад

Luckily our English teacher chose Dombey and Son for our A level book in the early 80s. He was a great teacher, but I learned many new things about the book from your videos. I remember my Dad telling me what a wonderful book Our Mutual Friend is and being surprised that he'd read it. Anyway, I'm inspired to read it now. We read a 'concise' David Copperfield at school. I'm reading the whole book now - marvellous.

@sistafila 9 месяцев назад

I read great expectations first and lost interest along the way and felt a bit of an anti climax but I loved copperfield. David copperhead was fun. Each chapter and page, got you glued.

@mayraviscarroferrer 3 года назад

I really really love and adore your videos! They absolutely make my day. Your excitement is contagious. I' m studying literature and currently reading Hard Times. It's my fist Dickens. As I grow older I find it I can read Dickens. I used to think it was too difficult for me, too many characters and storylines. I'm going to try reading your top novels. I'm sure at any point I will find myself reading Our mutual friend alongside the videos you made analysing it. Thanks for sharing and for everything you do!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks so much for your comment :) I hope you enjoy the rest of Hard Times.

@elizabethabraham2695 3 года назад

Love this vid. I'm reading Dickens every December, and so far my faves are Bleak House, Great Expectations, and David Copperfield. I have yet to read your top three and will start with those next. Thanks!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Very good favourites :) Hope you enjoy my top three too!

@tomreadsthings7145 3 года назад

Love love love this. So pleased David Copperfield has shot up the rankings here 😀👍🏻 I really must read A Tale of Two Cities

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

David Copperfield is so great!

@jeffmcdonald4225 3 года назад

A very good review. We have very similar taste. My personal favorite is Dombey and Son. I have never seen anyone rate it as highly as you have here. It's so fun to see someone else appreciates it as much as I. Well done.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Dombey and Son is SUCH a wonderful Dickens novel, and so underrated.

@jobuckley2999 3 года назад

Wow. You are a Dickens savant. I have read Oliver Twist and Great Expectations recently and both were excellent. You have enticed me to read more.....Thanks!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much :)

@tomcrutcher3045 2 года назад

Very good. I've read Chuzzlewit, Rudge, and Bleak House. Wasn't sure what I'd try next. From what you said in this, I think I'll read Little Dorrit next. Thank you.

@MilenaReads 3 года назад

Such an interesting video, Katie! I’m watching the series ‘Dickensian’ right now and I’m trying to figure out from which books the characters are, haha. I really like the Bleak House characters, so that one might go on my tbr. Our Mutual Friends sounds really interesting!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Dickensian is really interesting - I got half way through but must finish it sometime! I think Mr Wegg is the only Dickensian character from Our Mutual Friend - bit of a random one to pick, but there we go!

@MilenaReads 3 года назад

@@katiejlumsden oh right, he’s the bar owner. Glad to hear you liked the first bits 🙂

@jamescurley4622 2 года назад

Very interesting to hear your opinions. I really love Nicholas Nickelby. I enjoy the parts set in Yorkshire. They feel different to most other Dickens books. I also thinks some of the side characters are among his best, particularly the Crummies troupe.

@mikesnyder1788 2 года назад

The Infant Phenomenon!

@filipina0mami 3 года назад

I love your break down and ranking of the books, and subscribed. I did want to mention that your microphone echos a bit if it hasn’t been brought to your attention yet, and make it a bit difficult to hear you thoroughly at times.

@paulapoetry 3 года назад

I love Hard Times. I'm hoping to read more Dickens very soon, and your enthusiasm helps with this. I feel as if many people remember movie scenes from Oliver quite vividly, and expect to love the novel. When/if they don't, it probably deters them from exploring further books by Charles Dickens, as they had assumed it would be the best and most accessible. In fact, A Christmas Carol is perhaps better, if readers want to start with a familiar story.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks! I always think Oliver Twist isn't a great place to start with Dickens - A Christmas Carol is a much better place to start, actually. I really love A Christmas Carol!

@petefranklin1148 2 месяца назад

Today I finished Our Mutual Friend, wholly on your recommendation as I wasn’t aware of it before. Totally agree with you on the tremendous characters, and of course there are many others you didn’t mention, like the villains Riderhood and Wegg! The one thing I’ll add is that there are several deaths in the book; Dickens handles each of them differently and often beautifully, from the internecine struggle between Headstone and Riderhood, Betty’s painfully noble exit, to orphaned Johnny, the baby who gives away his possessions before he dies! Superb. Thanks for the tip.

@pancakeday4866 6 месяцев назад

I absolutely love hearing your enthusiasm for Dickens. I have decided to make 2024 the year of reading Dickens. I am almost finished with Great Expectations. I started it because I wanted to try Dickens on my exploration of great classics. It was good, then 2/3 of the way through it totally hooked me!

@Orpilorp 3 года назад

Hi! Jane here. I am a great fan of Charles Dickens. We read Great Expectations in class in the 9th grade and I thought it was tremendous. I am a gramma now, and have read all of his novels and Christmas stories that I know of except Martin Chuzzlewit. Barnaby Runge did not get finished; one day I must complete it. My favorite Dickens is Dombey and Son. Florence is a great character, and like Nell in Old Curiosity Shop, has far too much weight on her shoulders. Florence has never known a gentle mom, and she only has little Paul to love. And in spite of all that she presses on. A tender scene for me is when she watches the neighbor family happy together, from her sad little window. The ending is so beautiful, as the pain of the past is healed by the change in old Dombey. I loved it. Bleak House, and our Mutual Friend share next best status with Little Dorrit and Old Curiosity Shop right behind them. Charles Dickens is such a great writer! Thanks for sharing with your lovely channel!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Hi! Sounds like you have great Dickens taste :) Dombey and Son is just so amazing.

@jeffsmith1798 7 месяцев назад

Great summary. I agree with you that Dickens can be quite prolix but…always profound. I’m not where you are at now but I’ve made my way through A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, Martin Chuzzlewit and am currently reading Nicholas Nickleby. Great Expectations is my current favorite. The character of Estella really pulls at the heart strings as she develops even up to the very end of the novel.

@tumblyhomecarolinep7121 3 года назад

Ohhh brilliant video thank you.i have passed this on to my husband, who is in a Dickens odyssey right now. Sorry I missed your earlier ranking. I will go back and watch.i am so enthused to read and reread Dickens for the rest of 2020. I haven’t read Dombey and son... so yippppeeee

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much - I promise Dombey and Son is so great :)

@tumblyhomecarolinep7121 3 года назад

@@katiejlumsden I am reading it now...it is BRILLIANT

@rebelbelle1388 2 года назад

I've read A Christmas Carol, Hard Times, A Tale of Two Cities, and right now, I'm reading A House to Let. I think my next will be Great Expectations, due to your praise of it!

@Nickelini 3 года назад

Wow that’s a lot of enthusiasm for Dickens. Well done. My fav is Bleak House, followed by Great Expectations. I liked Nicholas Nickelby because it was fun and mostly light. Hard Times bored me the most. I agree with your criticisms of Oliver Twist. And finally, I was expecting something more from Tale of Two Cities.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

So much enthusiasm for Dickens! Bleak House is a very worthy favourite.

@MLLatUtube 3 года назад

I adore A Christmas Carol and reread it every year, but other than that I have only read four Dickens noves I think. I remember loving David Copperfield. I need to read more by him and really enjoyed your ranking of his novels.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

I hope you like more Dickens as you read more. A Christmas Carol is so great.

@LimesRickie 2 года назад

Fun to see someone else with the same top 5 even if they are in different order. My favourite is David Copperfield, we agree on #2 as Dombey and Son, and then for me it's Bleak House, Our Mutual Friend and #5 is Little Dorrit.

@katiejlumsden 2 года назад

Good choices :D

@nedmerrill5705 2 года назад

I'm just reading Our Mutual Friend now. I'm almost through the first of 4 parts and it is quite wonderful, hard to put down. Everything you say it is. Thanks for the suggestion.

@NeilBruder 3 года назад

I put Dombey and Son on my TBR after your recommendation from a previous video but I have yet to see a copy in any of the second book shops I frequent. I'll just have to keep looking!

@NeilBruder 3 года назад

Looks like I spoke too soon! I just went to browse a second hand bookshop I don't visit very often and they had two different copies! I'm all set :)

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Well, perfect - enjoy Dombey and Son!

@cheryll3448 3 года назад

David Copperfield was my gateway to Dickens, but my 2nd book was Dombey & Son; and now after reading all but 2 of his finished novels, Dombey & Son remains in my Top 3! (I'm currently doing a re-read of it.) It's a wonderful, wonderful book.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Dombey and Son is just so good.

@andybarker8787 2 года назад

Ahhh Toots, it’s of no consequence, the least consequence of all. Dombey and Son is one of my favourite books ever.

@DebMcDonald 3 года назад

So happy Hard Times rose in the rankings. I read it for the first time this year and loved it, although I’m glad I read Gaskell’s North and South first to give me a broader perspective on the same issues. My husband’s a horse racing steward so I can’t help noticing the race cards that cross my path. Sadly Betsey Trotter came last in her race but Daniel Deronda came third this week. I think it’s wonderful that these names are used and that they might catch someone’s interest to explore Victorian literature. Deb

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Hard Times and North and South are definitely very interesting to compare.

@souravsaha3140 3 года назад

Thanks for your Analysis !

@charmainesaliba5546 3 года назад

Great video as always Katie. I tried to read Dombsey and son twice and DNF(ed) in both times. Hope one day will pick it up again and manage to finish it. I am more a plot kind of reader so when you said that Tale of two cities is focused more on the plot, you get my interes. Hopefully I will pick it up very soon.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Definitely A Tale of Two Cities is worth a try - it's a bit different.

@beatag-z5922 2 года назад

I love PICKWICK PAPERS !!! I feel the same about Oliver Twist: you know you ought to sympathise with him but he does get on your nerves, doesn't he...😑 Fantastic video, cheers from a new subscriber from Poland 👍

@marytumulty4257 3 года назад

This was a fun video. Having only read 4 Dickens novels, there are plenty more to be explored. Your “author fortnight” video reviews were great guides for reading Hardy, Dickens, the Brontes and of course Jane Austen. For any folks new to this channel, I wholeheartedly recommend they look them up.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks so much :)

@levitybooks3952 3 года назад

Have you ever seen a first edition of Dickens? I managed to buy one from a used bookshop, the print size is extremely tiny and set in two columns per page. I haven't read it yet but the old cover design is the favourite of all that I own!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

I've seen some in bookshops :)

@ATG76 Год назад

@@katiejlumsden In another of your videos, when you showed us your antique book collection, it looked like you do own two or three first editions. 👍🏻

@rodneyadderton1077 3 года назад

I was glad to see how you rated Bleak House. Another great video. Have a great day.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

It is so great :)

@novellenovels 3 года назад

I’m reading a tale of two cities next week and I’m more excited about it now. I plan to read our mutual friend at the start of next year and need to find dombey and son. I did think Oliver Twist was good but it’s not as good as David copperfield which is my favourite or great expectations which I also enjoyed 😊

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks, Emily! Hope you enjoy Our Mutual Friend :)

@claymaynard4207 3 года назад

I just finished "David Copperfield" last night a. I absolutely loved it. I've got a lot more Dickens to read I've read A lot of Charles Dickens works but clearly not enough I'm gonna work on reading his entire catalog. I absolutely loved this video I really enjoyed it thank you.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

It's such a great book!

@pallasathena1555 Год назад

I think that Oliver is an interesting character because of his flaws. He is the first child protagonist ever, at least in high modern fiction, and really sets the tone for later child characters penned from dickens through c s Lewis to j k Rowling

@sylvainpauze1336 2 года назад

Very energetic, no wonder you got tired at the end!lol I'm actually "doing all the dickens".. I've listen to the Audiobook read by Dave Timson for Our Mutual Friend, ... amazing! Characters' voice adds so much to the story when they are done well, especially with a Character focused Author like Dickens. I've also received the book, ... on my next 5 readings... Right on top of the Dickens with... for me different than you... Oliver Twist! Thanks for your video, very entertaining!

@sarahg3479 3 года назад

Any plans to do another Dickens readalong? It was your previous 2 readalongs that got me to read (and enjoy) Dickens - I gained a lot from reading along with you. Little Dorrit or Dombey and Son would be amazing!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

So, I'm not sure. No immediate plans (though I might do a little Christmas Carol readalong this December, if I can) - the serialised readalongs were a lot of work and I didn't enjoy reading the novels serially as much as if I had just read it in one go. I also sort of felt a bit discouraged while doing them as not many people watched the readalong videos, but it does seem like more people have watched and used them since, which is nice to know and does change my opinion a bit on them. Basically, I'd like to do another one some time, but I'd have to have more time available in my life to to it!

@sarahg3479 3 года назад

@@katiejlumsden I wasn't keen on reading serially, so waited until you had finished and then read at my own pace with your videos alongside. Which probably defeats the point of what you were trying to do...! Thanks for all the time you put into them.

@madebylora 10 месяцев назад

Some time ago I tried to read Little Dorrit, but just couldn’t get into it. Later I listened to the audio book and really enjoyed it. Now I’m coming back to try reading Dickens again and I’ve got your top 2 favourites to try! I’ve read the first chapter of Our mutual friend, so I’ll probably also read the first chapter of Domby and son and then make a decision which to read first.

@jordanparsons5703 3 года назад

Great Expectations is by far my favorite so far. I did not care for Our Mutual Friend at all, although as always your enthusiasm is contagious.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Ha each to their own. I adore Our Mutual Friend. I sometimes feel like Great Expectations is a bit different to other Dickens, and some people who adore Great Expectations don't get on so well with other Dickens books.

@joyfulanarchist 3 месяца назад

I'm late to this video but love your list. I also love Dombey and Son, and I cried copious tears over the alteration in Mr. Dombey's character - more than I did over Scrooge. But not as many as I did over the death of Jo in Bleak House (that scene did me in) or Smike in Nicholas Nickleby. I ADORE Besty Trotwood - she may be my favorite Dickens character - though I'm also very fond of Dick Swiveler and Jolly Mark Tapley. But there are so many wonderful minor characters ... which makes all of the books worth reading. I don't dislike Oliver Twist as much as you do, but I think it's because like A Christmas Carol, I'd seen so many film and stage versions prior to encountering the text that I was predisposed to like it and to forgive its weaknesses.

@katiejlumsden 3 месяца назад

Dombey and Son is just such a wonderful and powerful novel :) Jo's death in Bleak House is definitely another of Dickens's most moving scenes!

@jennatomashosky8624 2 года назад

I loved the ending of A Tale of Two Cities too! It is a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done before. It is a far, far better rest I go, than I have ever known.

@lw3646 3 года назад

Still have 6 to read, interesting choices.

@tanny3403 2 года назад

I have only read Great expectations and i absolutely loved it what other book would you suggest me to go in with.

@katiejlumsden 2 года назад

David Copperfield :)

@tanny3403 2 года назад

@@katiejlumsden Thankyou🤍❤

@launchedathousand 3 года назад

I've now only read two Dickens, David Copperfield and Hard Times. Looking forward to reading them all! My plan is to try and get to 1 a year.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Hope you enjoy more Dickens :)

@clairephoebe333 3 года назад

I just bought David Copperfield, I can’t wait to read it!!! I’ve only read Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, but I’m excited to read more of his work :) have you read The Mystery of Edwin Drood? Even though it’s unfinished, it sounds so intriguing!

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

I have indeed read The Mystery of Edwin Drood - I didn't rank it here as it's hard to compare, being only about half finished - but it is a great read!

@mikesnyder1788 2 года назад

Have you managed to read "Mystery of Edwin Drood?" Very different for Charles Dickens but I found it thoroughly enjoyable despite the fact that it was unfinished at his untimely death. A couple of authors have tried their hand at "finishing" the novel based on what they "think" Dickens would have done. Also, there is a delightful musical comedy titled "Drood" that you might want to watch. Very different approach than the novel but the main points are the same. Some very fine songs included as well. Happy reading!

@GinaStanyerBooks 3 года назад

It would be so interesting to consider how Dickens would deal with our current technological revolution (thinking of his social critique of Hard Times)

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

I know, wouldn't that be great!

@karlalymburner8460 2 года назад

Hello new subscriber here!!!!! Love your review I only have two Dickens book have not read them yet I am reading Jane Austin almost done with her collection. I was really impress with David Copperfield and your top 3. Bleak house I definitely have to get. I have only Hard Times and Great Expectation. Is a toss up on which one I will read first David Copperfield or Great expectations . Thank you again for this review 🤗🤗🤗🤗

@katiejlumsden 2 года назад

Thanks very much!

@josephcampagnolo157 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for the opinions, and to each his own. My rankings would be much different with David Copperfield and Great Expectations in the first two positions, and The Old Curiosity Shop, Martin Chuzzlewit and The Pickwick Papers in the last 3 positions. Otherwise, the novels placed high here., I generally agree with and likewise many of the lower ranked ones -- except for Nicholas Nickleby.

@gretchengraef3012 Год назад

It would be interesting to see how you rank the novels when you are 10 or 20 years older. I know that my opinions have changed with age. I'm now 71 and just discovered Hard Times. The only other that I haven't read or seen is Barnaby Rudge. I think my favorite characters are both from Nicholas Nickleby, aunt Betsy Trotwood and Mr. McCawber. I had a family member name a town in Ohio after her.

@CatrionaReads 3 года назад

I'm listening to the audio book of David Copperfield narrated by Richard Armitage and I'm loving it so much! Also recently bought Little Dorrit

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

That is such a great audiobook.

@sveabryan9126 2 года назад

I listened to Little Dorrit on audible. It was amazing. I’m here to figure out which of Dickens’ books to listen to next.

@cosmosrunner 3 года назад

I just finished Dombey and Son! It’s amazing!! Amazing! Bleak House was my previous favourite but this now takes top spot! Captain Cuttle had me laughing out loud.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Dombey and Son is just so great :)

@adamhasideas6813 2 года назад

Reading Martin Chuzzlewit right now. I've got to say, it's better than I thought it would be!

@bouquinsbooks 3 года назад

My only experience with Dickens is A Christmas Carol and the first few pages of The Pickwick Papers. The one that interests me the most is Bleak House, maybe because getting to the end of a court case is about as complicated today as it was 100 years ago.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

I recommend trying Dickens again - Bleak House is great.

@Martyacls17 3 года назад

The Nonesuch press editions released a few years ago are really lovely editions of some of Dickens best novels.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks, I'll have a look!

@gaildoughty6799 3 года назад

Best comment ever: Oliver Twist is not a child; he’s a man who cries all the time. LOL I loved it.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Ha thank you. Pretty sure I've said that in like five videos now because the thought entertains me too XD

@MusicGranados 2 года назад

I've actually read any Dickens (sacrilege!) and wanted to start. Is your No. 1 Our Mutual Friend a good place to start or would you recommend a different starting point?

@katiejlumsden 2 года назад

So, Our Mutual Friend isn't a bad place to start (it's where I started!) but I usually recommend David Copperfield and Great Expectations as the best places to start, because they're in first person so the plots are a little more straightforward/easy to follow.

@jimsbooksreadingandstuff 3 года назад

Having read "Our Mutual Friend" (definitely 5 stars) and currently reading "Dombey and Son", I can see I should continue with "Little Dorrit" and "Bleak House". Currently my favourites are "David Copperfield", "Our Mutual Friend" and "Great Expectations" I'm reserving judgement of "Dombey and Son" until I've finished it. My least favourites so far are "Oliver Twist" and "A Tale of Two Cities". Your love of Dickens' works is inspiring.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Thanks very much, Jim :)

@telercoi3234 23 дня назад

Haven’t even watched the video yet, but I’ve been considering getting into Dickens, and when I saw your thumbnail with books with cracked spines that have clearly ACTUALLY been read a time or two, I was like “that’s the person whose opinion I want on this matter!” lol

@LiteraryKnitterary 3 года назад

Listening to you talk about Oliver Twist, I had a visceral memory of playing an urchin in the musical Oliver 😂 I was in high school and already 5’8” so I don’t think it was convincing...

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

Haha! Oliver the musical is so little like the book.

@timbotrout1360 3 года назад

Surprised Nicholas Nickleby was so far down on your list. I love the karma Dickens deals to those unsavory characters. Have you ever read The wreck of the golden Mary? It’s a good novella, I’d like to hear your take on it.

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

I have not, but I must! I really need to read some of his shorter works. Yeah, I just don't love Nicholas Nickleby, and I love the rest so much!

@BeckaBella1 3 года назад

I have read various Dickens works and I have a love-hate relationship with him 😬 but can’t believe I still haven’t gotten to your top three will have to put them on my TBR 😉

@katiejlumsden 3 года назад

I highly recommend my top-three, obviously :)