tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post1013101511958370432..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Oliver Twist by Charles DickensBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90474963079649152942017-07-03T09:51:16.521-04:002017-07-03T09:51:16.521-04:00Hi Bailli - Indeed some very good things and very ...Hi Bailli - Indeed some very good things and very bad things happen in the world. Dickens's exaggerations, while not a true mirror image of the world, are one way to see its reality. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-68071505062681294602017-07-03T07:34:26.570-04:002017-07-03T07:34:26.570-04:00in my opinion the world where we live has much mor...in my opinion the world where we live has much more darkness and the brightness at the same time than we think .<br />we call exaggerations which cannot match to our knowledge but what about the part of world and "doings" that we don't know yet.<br />though he thought that he exaggerated but i believe that at the same time worse that that was happening somewhere else .<br />i would love to check this out bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34485679735921137492017-07-01T20:43:58.882-04:002017-07-01T20:43:58.882-04:00Hi Naida - If you try Dickens I would love to know...Hi Naida - If you try Dickens I would love to know what you though of him. My favorite novels are David Cooperfield and Bleak House. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-32649194808744201052017-07-01T18:21:29.787-04:002017-07-01T18:21:29.787-04:00For some reason Oliver Twist has never interested ...For some reason Oliver Twist has never interested me, even the film versions. I've never read Dickens though I should one day, I know he has a few classics. Great post as always! Interesting about the anti-Semitism in his book and his attempting to make up for it at least.The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-80598176600613198122017-06-16T17:05:27.113-04:002017-06-16T17:05:27.113-04:00Thanks Maria.
He did try to make up for his depi...Thanks Maria. <br /><br />He did try to make up for his depiction of Fagin later on.<br /><br />I thought that both Our Mutual Friend and Bleak House were super book though I found Great Expectations to be not as good as his other works.<br /><br />I find the over the top sentimentality part of the overall surreal nature of his works. <br /><br />I would also love to have a chat with Dickens with many other authors. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55211915069313848772017-06-16T13:27:28.125-04:002017-06-16T13:27:28.125-04:00BRILLIANT commentary as usual, Brian!!
Charles Di...BRILLIANT commentary as usual, Brian!!<br /><br />Charles Dickens has always been one of my favorite writers of all time! I actually ADORE his work! This is not to say that I am unwilling to overlook his flaws, and the anti-Semitism in this novel is one of them, unfortunately. Shakespeare, as we all know, was guilty of the same offense in "The Merchant of Venice".<br /><br />It is indeed unfortunate that such brilliant, creative geniuses should have such a racist strain in their work, marring it to some extent..... I'm glad, though, that Dickens went to such great lengths to correct this in a later novel (which I must DEFINITELY read). It speaks very highly of him that he was willing to admit a mistake, and strive to correct it!<br /><br />Going beyond this, I LOVE the depiction of characters in "Oliver Twist", as well as in other Dickens works. I would characterize him as an idealist. Perhaps this is why his characters seem to be one-dimensional, and his world surreal, even fantastical. I do admire his dedication to exposing the evils of the society he lived in, such as child labor, the extreme poverty of the lower classes, and so forth.<br /><br />I also love his prose style. His sentences are full of sonorous cadences, and are perfect for reading aloud. <br /><br />I, too, read "Oliver Twist" many years ago, and should really read it again, because, of course, one's appreciation of a book changes over time. <br /><br />What I like the most about this novel is that poor Oliver does get to meet several kind people throughout, and he does experience justice in the end. Sadly, that doesn't often happen in the real world.....<br /><br />I also love the fact that Dickens, far from being a nihilist, does see the virtues of charity and altruism as giving meaning to life. Again, I see him as an idealistic writer.<br /><br />You've made me think of revisiting not only "Oliver Twist", but other Dickens favorites as well, such as "A Tale of Two Cities", "David Copperfield", and "A Christmas Carol". But I also need to read other Dickens books I've never delved into, such as "Bleak House" and "Great Expectations".<br /><br />Some people -- readers and critics alike -- have put down Dickens as being "too sentimental". I can see why, and yet, I actually find this quality very endearing. <br /><br />In short, I SO wish I could sit down with this great writer and have a cozy chat with him over tea! :)<br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing your insightful thoughts!! Have a WONDERFUL weekend!! <3 :)<br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-33922947300158818862017-06-14T11:17:20.857-04:002017-06-14T11:17:20.857-04:00Hi Hila - I think a lot of folks get tired of Dic...Hi Hila - I think a lot of folks get tired of Dickens at some point. There is something about his tendency to go over the top. <br /><br />I have not read Dombay and Son. I thought Our Mutual Friend was excellent. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-39835917370427992942017-06-14T09:35:30.983-04:002017-06-14T09:35:30.983-04:00I haven't yet read Oliver Twist or seen any ad...I haven't yet read Oliver Twist or seen any adaptations (that I can remember - maybe when I was very young)... at some point in the past, I got tired of Dickens, and I'm not sure why. In any case, I'd like to read more of him. Our Mutual Friend is on my list, and Dombey and Son.<br /><br />I like how you were able to find fresh, imaginative qualities in a work that "everyone" knows about.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-15036745501737601192017-06-14T04:18:24.782-04:002017-06-14T04:18:24.782-04:00Hi Carol - The musical version really did change t...Hi Carol - The musical version really did change things. I do consider a seperate work in and of itself. <br /><br />Thanks for the link. That G.K. Chesterton book looks good. I would love to read it. I am always torn between reading about authors and books or reading more original works themselves. There is to much to read!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-57478299353588763792017-06-14T00:41:15.430-04:002017-06-14T00:41:15.430-04:00The musicals that sprung from the book don't c...The musicals that sprung from the book don't convey the darkness of some of his characters. Fagin for example, but more so Bill Sikes. He was awful in the book, although the musicals did reveal some of his character, his truly evil nature was so much more chilling in the book. Dicken's characters are so memorable & even the names of his characters inform us of their qualities/baseness at times. He did a fantastic job, I think. G.K. Chesterton wrote a book on Dickens that you might find interesting: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/22362/22362-h/22362-h.htm#OLIVER<br />Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820925595506920754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16179295902795051802017-06-13T12:26:23.266-04:002017-06-13T12:26:23.266-04:00Hi Tracy - It seems that for many of us, opinions ...Hi Tracy - It seems that for many of us, opinions on Dickens vary wildly as we get older. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-77686873941257979242017-06-13T10:57:43.714-04:002017-06-13T10:57:43.714-04:00Familiar with the book because of the film, I did ...Familiar with the book because of the film, I did try reading Oliver Twist as an adolescent but admit to not thinking much of it at that time. Perhaps having read several of Dickens' other works now is the time to give it another try though I'm sure I will never look upon in in the same depths as you. Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-87208409042703903502017-06-12T18:41:50.039-04:002017-06-12T18:41:50.039-04:00Hi Jane - It is interesting that you continued to ...Hi Jane - It is interesting that you continued to like this book when you did not like other Dickens. I found it to be the most over the top of all the Dickens novels that I have read.<br /><br />I am glad to hear that you are liking Dickens now :)<br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-15837970106530059162017-06-12T18:39:28.600-04:002017-06-12T18:39:28.600-04:00Hi Sharon - That is a very famous line.
Though it...Hi Sharon - That is a very famous line.<br /><br />Though it is not reflected in the above comments, it seems that a fair chunk of readers do not like Dickens because of his inclination to go over the top. <br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-19980638807054840872017-06-12T17:56:19.032-04:002017-06-12T17:56:19.032-04:00I am very fond of Oliver Twist myself--even when I...I am very fond of Oliver Twist myself--even when I was in my anti-Dickens phase, which is thankfully over, I still liked this book. You're right--it is original, powerful, and insightful. The anti-Semitic tone always bugs me, but, as you point out, Dickens tried to rectify this. OT was written by a fairly young Dickens and it's nice to see when people learn and grow as they mature.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55509834931252292722017-06-12T14:00:42.829-04:002017-06-12T14:00:42.829-04:00All I can remember about Oliver Twist is "mor...All I can remember about Oliver Twist is "more gruel, sir?"<br /><br />Dickens' characters are over the top. In college is when I read a lot of his books and enjoyed them very much. Later I found his characters to be too cartoony. <br /><br />Maybe I am now of the age I can overlook the exaggerated stereotypes and see what he is actually saying. Your review makes some good points about death and good works.<br /><br />I am encouraged to re read this book. I also have a biography of Dickens that has been on the shelf for a while that needs attention.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25124914490695165462017-06-12T06:08:50.772-04:002017-06-12T06:08:50.772-04:00Hi The Reader's Tales.
Dickens books tend to ...Hi The Reader's Tales.<br /><br />Dickens books tend to make great films. His prose are so visual and his characters are so lively that he translates well to the screen.<br /><br />I feel the same way about Monday!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-59606933944513755092017-06-12T05:57:31.579-04:002017-06-12T05:57:31.579-04:00Another outstanding review, Brian. I have seen the...Another outstanding review, Brian. I have seen the film, but never read the book, I also saw Great Expectations but never read the book. I hope to read these classics one day :-)<br />I wish you a lovely day!! It does not matter how good my weekend was. Life is just so hard on Monday...hahaha...The Reader's Taleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12701126931175725145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-38955474654662833002017-06-10T17:53:51.576-04:002017-06-10T17:53:51.576-04:00Hi Susan - David Copperfield and Bleak House are m...Hi Susan - David Copperfield and Bleak House are my favorite Dickens books. I think that you would like both. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55328439511736654252017-06-10T15:53:10.790-04:002017-06-10T15:53:10.790-04:00Oh I love Dickens, no one can tell stories or crea...Oh I love Dickens, no one can tell stories or create all the characters he did! Authors are still trying to emulate him. It's been a long long time since I read Oliver Twist, but I loved reading it when I was young. It's probably time for a reread for me too. Great Expectations is another favorite of mine. But I need to conquer David Copperfield someday. Have you read that one? thx for the review. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-12139444573445961012017-06-10T10:36:44.464-04:002017-06-10T10:36:44.464-04:00Thanks Lainy.
I think that you would like the boo...Thanks Lainy.<br /><br />I think that you would like the book.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34089884253806647902017-06-10T10:15:22.731-04:002017-06-10T10:15:22.731-04:00Lovely take on it Brian. I have seen the movie bu...Lovely take on it Brian. I have seen the movie but never read the book, I think I need to get a wee copy after reading your review xxx<br /><br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-64724850230828874872017-06-09T18:08:36.437-04:002017-06-09T18:08:36.437-04:00Thanks Jillian - It is interesting how many of us ...Thanks Jillian - It is interesting how many of us came to appreciate Dickens after a few years or even after we got a little older.<br /><br />I agree he created these exaggeration to stick into a reader's mind. But I also think that there were many reasons. It is so ingrained in his writing style. <br /><br /><br />Bleak House and David Copperfield are my two favorite Dickens books. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-46925524391959398552017-06-09T16:23:13.779-04:002017-06-09T16:23:13.779-04:00About Dickens's exaggerations: I used to find ...About Dickens's exaggerations: I used to find them annoying, but then I thought about the fact that he was sharing this novel in serial form, and sometimes that meant months between segments, I think. I read Oliver Twist six years ago, and there are still a LOT of segments of it seared into my brain. I've never seen a film version. I have a feeling he wrote with exaggeration so people would keep that story in them through the months between installments.<br /><br />Possible not, but that's my theory. :) Excellent thoughts on this book, Brian. Like some others in this comment thread, I need to get to another Dickens. Bleak House? POSSIBLY. My favorite is David Copperfield.*ೃ༄ Jillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139487177036647728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55040128383195022902017-06-08T23:06:43.164-04:002017-06-08T23:06:43.164-04:00Thanks James.
The imagery heightened the melodram...Thanks James.<br /><br />The imagery heightened the melodrama. It does many other things too. What an imaginative and brilliant writer Dickens is. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com