If you remember, it was not that long ago when I was all excited about getting back into Dickens. However, this book is giving me deja vu.
Things I know: I have never Oliver Twist prior to this reading.
Things the madre thinks: I have seen an Oliver Twist movie.
Things I don't remember: seeing an Oliver Twist movie.
I stand by my not seeing an adaptation. Instead, I would argue that knowledge of Oliver Twist is part of our cultural capital as a society aka general Twist knowledge is in the cloud of communal knowledge. All you have to do is say - please, sir, can I have some more - and everyone is all oh hahaha that is Oliver Twist.
As an English Lit-y type of person, I believe my communal Twist knowledge goes even deeper. For example, when he becomes an apprentice he has to sleep in a coffin. When I read those disturbing words, it was like I already knew he had to be coffin boy. Later, when Nancy is introduced as a character, in my head I was all oh Nancy she does blah blah blah and is important to Oliver because of blah blah blah. Even worse, when Oliver is hanging with the rich guy and the guy sees the painting I was all, oh yeah, that is Oliver's mom.
How do I know this?
It is creeping me out.
I realize that quasi knowing the plot shouldn't ruin reading the novel, as people re-read novels all the time...for fun. But the thing is I am re-reading it when I have never read it.
It is all very upsetting.
I'm sure I'll get over it and everything will be fine and end happy-ish but right now I'm more creeped than when I read Dracula part dos.
"Surprises, like misfortunes, seldom come alone."
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
I gotta say, I don't remember the ending of Oliver being too peachy-keen. Maybe that was just the shitty renditions I was in during my "community youth theater" days.
ReplyDeleteAmy - oh NO. it isn't going to end happy-ish?
ReplyDeletemy definition of happy-ish entails sadness (like some people die and some are in jail) but then uplifting (like Oliver makes it)?
no?
I had the same experience with that book and in fact I'm having so much trouble with it that it's still sitting on my night stand unread. I have about 75 pages left.
ReplyDelete(I think I started reading it in the spring.)
This is Dickens, I'm sure the book will end on a sweetly sour note. But not nearly as sour as Hardy.
Hi Claire
ReplyDeleteI was talking to Mary and Frances tonight about moving to Chicago and Mary suggested I get ahold of you on your website. I'm very excited to read through what you've been reading and see if I can find something good (and, potentially, actually have a conversation with you)
Jabba - This is no good. HA.
ReplyDeleteI think we are twisted about endings. It's like: if the main character isn't contemplating suicide and signing herself up for an awful life because she has given in sexually and intellectually...then I call it a 'happy' ending (OH Jude the Obscure).
Miranda - Can't wait to talk to you more - you will love Chicago!
It's amazing that anyone took a book like that and put it to song, huh? I haven't read it in such a long time, but I do remember it freaking me out.
ReplyDelete