Dickens and I

I seem to have an intimate relationship with Dickens this semester (most likely because I am taking a class in Victorian Lit). My current Dickens' read is a monster of a book --- Our Mutual Friend. So far I am enjoying the book, but it is so much darker then I expected from Dickens. Everything and everyone seems to be between life and death, but definitely leaning more towards death. It is one of my challenge reads for the latest reading challenge... From the Stacks Winter Challenge The object of the challenge is to read books from your collection (5) between the dates of November 1- Jan 30. Speaking of Challenges here is my very belated summary from the R.I.P Autumn Challenge: 1. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens-- finished, Oliver Twist was okay but I felt the characters were underdeveloped 2. Goblin Market and other poems by Christina Rosetti-- finished, Rosetti never disappoints, I cannot count how many times I have read this collection. During my reading of this I was able to go to my university's special collections and see an original first edition of Goblin Market. It was beautiful, with fantastic illustrations. 3. The Woman in White by Wilikie Collins-- finished, So suspenseful! I loved it and defended it in class when many declared it trash and not as good as Dickens. 4.The Lifted Veil by George Eliot-- finished, The only Eliot I have ever liked. It reminded me so much of Henry James, particularly The Turn of the Screw, which is my favorite James. 5. Adam Bede by George Eliot-- finished, too boring and typical Eliot. I was glad when I finished it. 6. After Dark: A Play about London Life-- finished, I added this as an afterthought. I completely loved this play, it had suspense and comedy and talk about DRAMA! Well back to Our Mutual Friend...