I've been reading classics lately... some people seem afraid of them but I love to read them. I recently finished The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. It is masterful and I enjoyed reading it again. He develops the main character in such a thorough way -- it's almost frustrating, though, as he (Henshaw) is really his own worst enemy. I can't find the quote to explain this, but it was something to the effect that when Henshaw tried to turn his life around in the beginning of the book after selling his wife and daughter, he stopped drinking but did not replace that habit with any other really good habit, so he just sort of floated about. He became prosperous and so forth, but not out of a principled way of life. And so things for him unravelled in the end.
One frustrating thing about this book is not an uncommon theme -- that of the nice, pretty girl (Elizabeth Jane) being taken for granted by everyone, even those who seem to have good sense otherwise. Meanwhile, the beautiful, mysterious, but shallow, and sometimes unscrupulous, woman (Lucetta) gets all the attention. And she herself takes advantage of Elizabeth's good nature. I just get tired of this theme. It breaks my heart. Elizabeth Jane is so good natured that she reminds me of Little Dorrit. Well, everything turns out all right in the end. And there are plenty of moral lessons along the way.
Also, I love all the descriptions of rural England. I'd like to visit there someday.
I'm now reading The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens. Not my favorite Dickens, as nothing ever comes close to David Copperfield, but it's interesting nevertheless.
I also recently read Great Expectations by Dickens. I love this book! I love the characters and appreciate the story line and watching Pip grow up. (He also falls in love with a ruthless girl! What is wrong with these men?) The story is so inventive and somewhat creepy -- I just don't know how Dickens could dream up Miss Havisham! If you haven't read Dickens before, this is a great place to start. It's probably my second favorite.
The relationship Pip has with Joe is so tender and Joe is so true -- it's wonderful to see him happy in the end. And wonderful to see that even when Pip is uppity with him... Joe is humble and kind. Despite Pip's youthful follies, he is true to everyone in the end, and that is satisfying. It gives me hope that I can grow up in the end!
It's just about time for Christmas stories! Happy Holidays!
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I love classics too. In fact, it's hard for me to branch out and try new genres. I think I am spoiled by the in-depth character development and beautiful writing of Dickens, Hardy, Eliot, and the rest! That's kind of why I joined my neighborhood book group - so I will read some books I may not pick up on my own. (But the last two months were my picks, and rereads for me - Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier and Precious Bane. I need to keep quiet so I can read some new suggestions from others!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love reading your reviews. It surely is a common theme that the most admirable girl is often slighted. (Oh, Prue Sarn! Thankfully she ends up with the Kester she deserves.) I am reading David Copperfield right now and loving every page. Dickens was surely a literary genius. I laugh out loud at, groan when the Murdstones show up, and long to be like Agnes. I'm only half way through so don't give anything away!
Anyway, happy classics reading to you! I do love to check this blog every now and then. I feel like I am somehow still connected to the Mittens that I love!
P.S. Jonny and I recently watched Little Dorrit, The Old Curiosity Shop, and Great Expectations. Seriously, we can't get enough of the BBC films.
P.P.S. I have been meaning to read The Mayor of Casterbridge. I usually read one Thomas Hardy every summer so I will save it for then. (They are usually so tragic that I can't bear to read them in the gloomy winter!)