A Tale of Two Cities / Great Expectations / Master Humphrey's Clock

by Charles Dickens

Considered by many to be the master of English fiction, Charles Dickens wrote about the world in which he lived — early and mid-Victorian a period of tremendous political England — and soctal turmoil. His novels are passionate and profoundly entertaining depictions Of a society in the midst of cataclysmic change. Both a social critic and social prophet, Dickens, nonetheless. dressed his message in some of the world's most masterful prose. In this collection of three of Dickens's most fascinating and mov- ing works can be found much of what makes their author so memorable today. gloriously vivid characters, a forever-vanished London, penetrating depictions of brutal and frighten- ing social conditions, the twist and turn of a complicated plot.

Master Humphrey's Clock, first published in 1840 as a threepenny weekly, introduces the poignant figure of Master Humphrey. an old and crippled gentleman. who gathers a choice circle of friends around him to form a reading club. Each of the members is pledged to place a manuscript in the case of Master Humphrey's beloved grandfather clock. The tales told tn this series are among some Of Dickens's most charming; while the characters encountered. such as Sam and Old Tony Weller, Gog and Magog, the Old Deaf Gentleman. and Samuel Pickwick himself. are among the most enduring. Published in 1859, Tale of Two Cities reflects the mature Dickens's darker and more complex side. A rale of two cities — Paris and London — in the worst days Of the French Revolution, the novel traces the fates of Dr. Manerte and his daughter Lucie. her husband, the self-exiled Charles Darnay, and the tragic but ennobled figure Of Sydney Carton, the Englishman whose sacrifice makes it possible for his friends and loved ones to live, Against a backdrop Of vengeance and terror. Dickens reminds us Of the value Of mercy and love.

Great Expectations, first published in 1860, is the Story of Philip (Pip) Pirrip — on his eventful journey from poverty to "great expectations" of wealth and social status to near—complete ruin. The talc of Pipes growth from a callow youth Of material ambitions to a young man of Compas- Sion and true worth is both hilarious and chill- ing. Pip, Of course. neither becomes nor recetves anything like what he expected; yet. in true Dickensian fashion, it is the journey he makes, and not the arrival, which matters most.

Indeed. in each Of the works collected here. in the bulk Of Dickens's massrvc body of work, is found this same embrace of the strange, extraordinary. immensely unpredictable nature of people and Of life itself. What makes Charles Dickens, in part, the great novelist he was clear- ly born to be is his remarkable talent for seizing the unseizable whole Of life and distilling from it one more tale to tell.

Genres: Classics

735 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 1996

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read "Master Humphrey's Clock" because it was bound in the same book with "A Tale of Two Cities" and Great Expectations.

I enjoyed "A Tale of Two Cities" (see my review). I thought the first 2/3 of "Great Expectations" was irrational and the characters unrealistic. The final 1/3 was more enjoyable (see my review).

I thought "Master Humphrey's Clock" was even more weird and irrational than Great expectations. The book is basically a collection of random short stories tied together within yet another short story. Very few of the stories made any sense to me, or how they tied in with the main story. Many of the characters acted in ways that were abnormal (to my thinking) and irrational. I'm beginning to think that Dickens' mind was a bit twisted as well.

I did not enjoy this book. I would not recommend this book. The only reason I finished the book is because I am a bit OCD and don't like to leave things unfinished.