Oliver Twist in Reading the Classics

Jul 13, 2012 Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} marked it as to-read

Shelves: my-partner-feeds-my-habit, own-unread

Pre-Read (3/6/16): I have an (apparently) really rare edition of this book. It doesn't even have an ISBN #. I searched for this book on here, but it isn't on here. So for now, I am keeping my review under this edition. ...more

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Sep 01, 2013 Jeremy C. Brown rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-e-book-located

“Such is the influence which the condition of our own thoughts, exercises, even over the appearance of external objects. Men who look on nature, and their fellow-men, and cry that all is dark and gloomy, are in the right; but the sombre colors are reflections from their own jaundiced eyes and hearts. The real hues are delicate, and need a clearer vision.”
― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

Isn’t it interesting how extreme suffering can leave one in the depths of discouragement and harden the heart, “Such is the influence which the condition of our own thoughts, exercises, even over the appearance of external objects. Men who look on nature, and their fellow-men, and cry that all is dark and gloomy, are in the right; but the sombre colors are reflections from their own jaundiced eyes and hearts. The real hues are delicate, and need a clearer vision.”
― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

Isn’t it interesting how extreme suffering can leave one in the depths of discouragement and harden the heart, and yet others can outlive and overcome such circumstances and emerge with a happier and more refined love in their heart.

I love how this books helps one see the bad in people and the misery that can be suffered versus the goodness in people and the joys that can be obtained. Dickens reinforces the idea that it’s not just circumstances and luck that can bring joy into our lives but remaining true to our principles! This book at first reminded me of “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” and I bet it had an influence on that novel, but it really helps one understand the idea of opposition in all things and how the joyous mountain peaks are brighter when it took a dark and arduous climb to get there.

I’m interested in a book like this where it seems like the author had a lot more meaningful things to say then just an intriguing story. This book definitely has both and is well worth reading. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story and has an ability to see through the dark, recognize the good, and maintain hope for the future!

I also love the writing of Dickens and how thoughtful his expressions are. Just check out this quote:

“The sun,--the bright sun, that brings back, not light alone, but new life, and hope, and freshness to man--burst upon the crowded city in clear and radiant glory. Through costly-colored glass and paper-mended window, through cathedral dome and rotten crevice, it shed its equal ray.”
― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

p.s.

Also, this book gets a lot of guff for being anti semitic. Dickens denied an intent of offense and even made an effort to undo as much as he was able out of compassion for the offended. I’m inclined to take him at his word. I’m also inclined to think that it is understandable, albeit silly, to take offense where none is given, but to then discredit someones character for said offense is just lame. ...more

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