Help me choose....

I'm hoping to squeeze in another of Dickens' works before the end of the year but I can't decide which of these to go with:

Hard Times
Oliver Twist
Little Dorrit

Any spoiler-free advice is welcome. Thanks :)

I really enjoyed reading Oliver Twist and it's not too long, if that is a consideration. I haven't read the other two, but saw a film of Little Dorrit with Derek Jacobi (not sure of spelling) and have wanted to read it ever since.

Here is my review of Hard Times. I hope it is useful in making this decision.

Hard Times is my least favourite of Dickens's novels. Little Dorrit is very long. if you want a nice long read, then go for that.

Actually, I would recommend OT. It's got some great characters in it, and some very fine writing.

Thanks folks!

I decided to leave Little Dorrit for later. I'm still recouperating from some pretty long books, i.e. Bleak House and The Way We Live Now ;) I had no idea there was a film of Little Dorrit (thanks Marise!) but I have heard that the BBC will be screening a series of it in April 2008.

I haven't fully decided which out of the other two books it'll be yet...

I am not sure if it was a film or a BBC production. I saw it on cable tv many years ago. I also seem to remember that it was so long it was shown in two parts. Jacobi was excellent, as always, imho. :)

Wish that I could see the BBC screening here, but alas! :(

I'll plug OT if that helps. :) Not overlong, great cast of characters, very good story with a bit of intrigue.

Have fun!

Check out DVD by Simon Callow:on Dickens life.and writings.

digifish on the adaptation of Little Dorrit with Derek Jacobi

I only learnt about it recently, when it was highly recommended to me by someone in whose taste I trust greatly.

Apparently the interesting thing about it that it is in 2 parts, the first part narrating the story from Dorrit's perspective and the 2nd part taking up the same narrative but from Arthur's point of view - 8 hours in total.

Unfortunately, the film has never come out on DVD, so I got myself the 2 videos for a few Euros via Ebay - only to realize that my video recorder does not work any more. So I'll have to wait for Christmas at my parents' home.

Maybe the BBC will have the good sense to publish the DVD now, so that people can compare it with the upcoming adaptation I am greatly looking forward too by the way, the script will be by Andrew Davies.

I finished reading Oliver Twist last week. While I enjoyed it I found it to be one of Dickens' darker, more violent novels. It is surprising that eventually become one of the most popular children's tales on the planet.

Apart from a couple of memorable scenes with Mr Bumble and Mrs Corney, Oliver Twist for me lacked the humour of other works like Nicholas Nickleby. I haven't read Pickwick Papers but I wonder if Dickens made a conscious effort to eliminate humour in his second novel.

I would go with Hard Times as I remember enjoying it immensely. Second choice would be Little Dorrit. Oliver Twist is one of my least favourite Dickens - depressing with unbelievable story line.