Hey there, book-lovers!
It's been awhile to share my thoughts on my favourite novelists, which include Charles Dickens. If you're like me, you perhaps go on the internet regularly, but you still mildly resist to the idea of reading books paperless. Today, I want to introduce to you, a book that I have recently read of Dickens - It's called The Old Curiosity Shop. It's really not been a long time since I began to love his writing.
I am in my early-going-mid 20's, and I felt like Dickens, as I was reading this book, was the most brilliant writer ever.
I did read a concluding remark at the end of the pages by some brilliant person, and I may be unconsciously sharing of his/her remarkable commentaries. But, I shall try not to so I can actually share what I THINK!
So, not many perhaps, have read all of Dickens' literary works, so The Old Curiosity Shop, may not have be familiar to public readers (including yourself).
First of all, what I really LOVE about it is that, despite those 'literary criticisms' heavily imposed by the historical readers and critics, I really, really loved every bit of the book - even the plot! Now wait a minute, obviously plot has to be good in order to be readable. What I meant was, people commonly criticized the way Dickens drew his plot towards the end.
So, why did I not criticize it? Personally, I had too much emotional strength in the protagonist, Nell. So, when the story did not turn out great for her as I hoped it would be, I still loved her for what she did in previous chapters. Dickens, through her and other characters, discussed his moral values (besides his witty comments and many sarcasms) upon common folks' society, ranging from a servant to a grandfather who runs a little curiosity shop (it's sort of like an antique shop) and lives with his granddaughter Nell, an evil mastermind behind all misfortunes to the weak and naive ones, and to money-driven lawyers.
Justice is eventually served (as I exclaimed, yes!). But the element of innocence achieved through a little girl's perspective - her longing for sibling's love, to depend upon her grandfather - is difficult to be realized as she has to depend only upon herself. Her bravery, unconditional love for her grandfather, and her gentle, kind manner are some things to be praised.
Perhaps being an emotional reader and a watcher, I cried a little at the end - when things didn't work out for little Nell - but, the book served its purpose of creating strong emotions for her.
Dickens' way of writing, which is hard to describe, is simply beautiful and full of wits. He would take you to a very imaginative, but yet so real life story.
If you want to start, or continue indulging on some great classics, this book is the one for you. I hope you'll enjoy the wonderful journey of beautiful life, and realize that, how it changes so fast, yet, each moment was precious because it is short-lived. I think it was particularly applicable in this case, because everyone's life was so different at the concluding chapter (including yours!).
And I hope when you are reading this book, you will feel as I did, that good virtues never die.
