A few weeks ago I felt that the time had come for me to revisit "Great Expectations". So off to the library I went. Unfortunately someone else must have also felt it was their time. So after a brief moment of consideration (noisy little ones in a library don't allow for much of that) I grabbed the next best thing, "David Copperfield". At my first opportunity, I began reading the prologue. Unfortunately, the author of that felt it important to inform the reader of all the similarities between the author's life and his work. The result was that the book was slowly being ruined for me. What was put before the book would have been much better suited for after the book. So I stopped that and turned to the story itself. I did have some concern that this would be another dark and gloomy Victorian novel, but I am so glad to have found it otherwise. It certainly had some terrible moments in the early chapters, but by the end I felt they were vindicated. Those were character shaping moments and they were close reflections to at least the emotional trials of Dickens's early life.
Now I really want to reread"Great Expectations" and see if it is as gloomy as I remember it. I am older now and have a different view of things and also I will read it by choice as compared to being forced by a High School English Teacher.
Where to Find Me
8 years ago
David Copperfield is one of my top ten! And Great Expectations is actually quite funny, something I did not get at all when reading in high school. I can't wait to hear what you think.
ReplyDeleteDavid Copperfield is one of my favorites, too. I read it for a Victorian lit class at Chapman. I was dating Kevin at the time and David Copperfield reminded me so much of Kevin! The way he is so innocent and doesn't read people very well for the first half of the book really reminded me of Kevin. Also, the way he falls for the wrong girl and takes forever to recognize who the right girl is totally reminded me of Kevin. When he finally realizes that it is Agnes, I just see Kevin realizing I, so virtuous, lovely, kind and gentle, was the woman for him. I know my goodness has made him the man he is today. Ha Ha! :) just kidding. Anyway, there is a quote that I will find later when I am not so lazy that totally summarized Kevin's relationship to me. I'll put it on here when I can. Point is, I love David Copperfield. I think it is an excellent book!
ReplyDeleteShelley, I'm so literal about everything, a lot of humor in books ( especially the wordy victorian ones) tends to go way over my head. I'm better about getting it now, which is why these are worth the reread. I hope the library copy is available next time I'm there.
ReplyDeleteCindy, I agree totally! :) When David is listenting to Mrs. Strong telling Dr. Strong that only the undisciplined mind would be foolish enough to marry one that is unequal, I think David needs to do a facepalm. That girl he marries is such a brainless twit! (But she is beautiful!) Sadly, there are more "Dora's" out there. But not in our family! We have far more Agnes'.
So are you saying you have something against high school English teachers, Jeanine? I'm highly offended by that ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh Lara! You are certainly taking offense were none is intended. I think it is more like the homework assigned by High School English teachers that was a problem for me. Oddly enough, I have very fond feelings for my HSET's. They probably wouldn't say the same for me, but so it goes.
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Just messing with you, Jeanine. I'm just a big tease!
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