melissarunnels is not currently reading any books.
I’m 43 years old, female, from the United States. I’ve been a DailyLit member since December 12, 2008. My reading interests include Children's, Classics, Culture, Environmentalism, Historical, and.
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Question of the Week - Question of the Week #70: Day Jobs
Hi, Momt.
Dickens was a journalist! He was also widely admired for his speaking & performance skills (much like a pastor), & after leaving journalism, made money on reading tours. He drew huge crowds; on an American reading tour, crowds screamed for him & grabbed at his clothing (Beatles, anyone?) Peter Ackroyd has written two biographies about Dickens -- one ~200pp & the other 1100pp plus. They're worth looking at, if you're especially curious.
A Christmas Carol - Dickens at his best
I love Dickens for his extravagant yet precise way with words; for his funny, well-observed portraits -- so often exaggerated, often to the point of caricature, but (mostly) always a feeling of truth & affection; for his indignation; & his determination to give the reader a good time. A Christmas Carol is heart-felt & funnier in print than the TV & movie versions. It is also particularly well-written. Dickens uses a cascade of words & images in long, complicated sentences that suddenly resolve into short, simple, direct sentences which carry the point of the scene and/or a joke, often both. It is a wonderful companion while you're reading it. (PS: It also substantially changed the way England & the US celebrate Christmas -- worth reading up on....)