I write this on 3 January 2012 and have already read a comment or two in the papers that we may have had too much Dickens and that we will be Dickensed out by the end of the year. We have already had the BBC adaptation of Great Expectations which I loved though it seems to have divided opinion, an excellent programme presented by Sue Perkins on the way Dickens treated his wife Catherine Hogarth, and the other night somebody called Iannucci who I am told is a wit and a comedian fronting a prog on BBC2. I watched and was forced to switch off after 20 minutes for the usual reasons – it was an excellent radio talk and I spent most of it watching with my eyes shut in order to avoid the endless shots of running water, clouds, ruined churches and endless shots of people walking around with carrier bags. I presume the latter was to emphasise Dicken's 'teeming' London. Next week we have the Mystery of Edwin Drood about which I know very little so am looking forward to that. Mark you, as I have already seen the trailer about 12 times I am beginning to wonder if I need to watch.
Well I am going to be doing my bit about Dickens this month before everyone feels they have had to much of The Inimitable. A guest post will be up in a week or so by a distinguished author and I am delighted to say that OUP have promised me a Dickens books (of which more later) as a prize in a draw. They have also promised to send it anywhere in the world which means anybody can join in regardless of where they live, be it Bognor Regis or Ulan Bator.
I love Charles Dickens and have done since I first read David Copperfield, a junior version which finishes with his meeting up with Aunt Betsy, when I was about eleven. I did not find out that it was much longer than that until a year or two later and was thrilled to bits. I found parts of the adult book uninteresting but do remember Uriah Heep very well (who doesn't?) and the ghastly Mr Micawber who I always found acutely annoying even at that tender age. I read Great Expectations when I was about 13 and loved the first part of the book, but not so keen on the later stages when Pip went to London and became obnoxious.
The BBC in those long ago days always had a Classic Serial at 5.30 pm on a Sunday afternoon. I remember watching Oliver Twist. It had 13 half hour episodes and I never missed one. I have fond memories of watching these as a child. Is there anybody out there who remembers Patrick Troughton, the first Dr Who, as Quilp in The Old Curiosity Shop? Wonderful stuff. These adaptations were put out at this time as they expected the family and, particularly children, to watch them. Can't see the Beeb doing that now somehow.
I have most of Dicken's books on my shelves and over the next 12 months am going to have a try at re-reading some of my favourites. I might try Great Expectations as I feel a renewed interest after last week and see what I think about it again. Must be over thirty years since I last looked at and that is far too long.
I will also be rewatching some of the DVDs which I have on my shelves. I have one of Nicholas Nickleby, Great Expectations with Ion Grufydd as Pip, two versions of Bleak House and a rather sweet edition of David Copperfield with a pre-Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, playing the young David.
Are any of you out there planning on any reads, re-read, or book group readings of Dickens? Do let me know. I would also love to know your own personal Dickens favourite. David Copperfield and Bleak House are neck and neck as far as I am concerned each one taking it in turns to draw ahead and then fall back as I have a rethink. Both wonderful works.
We have a big year this year in the UK – not only all the Dickens celebrations, but the Queen's Jubilee which I am looking forward to with all its pageantry and fun, and the Olympics, which I am not.
But that is a rant for another day……..
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