Additionally, the writing style is difficult to adjust to, and many sentences remain undecyphered to me, usually referring to some context of the era. However, after the first few chapters, it becomes quite readable with the understanding that some sentences one just stumbles over, yada yada yada,... even with footnotes.
I do not recommend this book for a book club read. It isn't without value, heavens knows it has been parsed and analyzed ad nauseam. It is quite worthy a read in a study of Dickens, London in 1860, and the social problems of this time. Many students are strong armed into reading this. I'm sure they learned something; I did. The setting is magnificent, and Charles Dickens spins a good tale. The bottom line for me was that it was interesting, but it just wasn't fun. Perhaps if I was living in 1860 England, I would be first in line to buy the magazine containing the next chapter. After all, I do like a good serial story (Dallas, Weeds, Breaking Bad, Dark Shadows, to name a few old and new). Alas, it is 2011, this isn't my language, and when put into a chapter/novel format, the connections between the characters are unbelievable.
I would recommend watching the movie. If you do want to read the book, it is available on-line for free at the Gutenberg Project. I own the Penguin Classics edition, and would rather curl up with a book, carry it, eat lunch over it, and scribble notes than read it on-line.
What did you think of this book? I'm now off onto the book club discussion book, Clara and Mr. Tiffany: A Novel. Happy reading! K.
