Where I Tell the Reader How to Enjoy Martin Chuzzlewit

Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know what to expect with Charles Dickens, if you've read one or two books at least, and if you have liked his style so far, you probably will enjoy this novel. Lots of characters, yes. Some odd ducks with strange habits saying incomprehensible things, you bet. Some very bad people getting away with bad things, sure. Some lovely and sweet people having a hard time, of course. Disappointment for some, rewards for others, justice for a few, yes. All here.

Making no claims for this book's relative value compared to any other book by Dickens (or other author), I'll say that I enjoyed reading it. It was fun, I thought, and my interest increased throughout. The copy I have isn't particularly valuable, but it's more than 100 years old and has the original illustrations and that old book smell, and all that added to the experience. I doubt I would have enjoyed it half as much as an ebook (though I enjoy ebooks in general). But an old story, with an old style and the sensibilities of an earlier time, should be read out of an old book.

I was surprised by a few events in this novel, and I liked the surprises, though they're perfectly in line with Dickens' style and might not surprise others. I also really liked certain characters and enjoyed seeing the changes in a few others, and I enjoyed the theme which (IMO) deals with selfishness, illustrating how difficult it is for a selfish person to become self-aware and grow; how much likelier it is that they will never become a better person, or a happier one. Dickens may be a little more optimistic than me in his outlook, which is perfectly acceptable in a novel.

If you don't like Dickens (and I used to dislike his writing, tbh, and often opined on the matter), you will find examples here of everything that ever pushed you away. I won't list them, because now I see them as part of the charm of his books, like the cracks in the plaster in an old home, the kind of flaw you know you will find before you go in the door, but I will acknowledge them and say you're absolutely right. Here they are.

But I'll ask--have you tried reading Dickens out of a very old hardcover you got for Christmas from your wife? I find it makes a difference. :)

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