tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-579367039984189257.post3643042607722827073..comments2023-10-28T00:37:58.716-07:00Comments on Fiction by Mary Simonsen: Review of Charles DickensUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-579367039984189257.post-87726061338378434772012-02-26T10:33:40.477-07:002012-02-26T10:33:40.477-07:00Tony, All those insights by Tomalin were smothered...Tony, All those insights by Tomalin were smothered by an almost daily recitation of "where is Charles today?" Why weren't the books discussed at length? They are more important to us than knowing that he stopped on his journey home from Italy so that he might write a letter to Forster. The whole thing is weighted heavily on the less important things, in my opinion.<br /><br />As for Oscar, I wouldn't even attempt a bio. I have no problem with his being homosexual. It was his deflowering of so many youths that bothers me. As with Dickens, we have Oscar's work, and that's enough.Mary Simonsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03400923132711871703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-579367039984189257.post-31067095903144164852012-02-25T13:41:45.951-07:002012-02-25T13:41:45.951-07:00I like your review Mary. However I disagree with y...I like your review Mary. However I disagree with you over his relationship with Ellen Ternan. We can't turn away from the reality of what happened. We are all flawed, me you and Charles Dickens.<br />As for learning about how he developed his characters. That happened in Charles Dickens mind. We can't possibly know. But Claire Tomlin relates how he walked the streets of London at night. He was an insatiable observer. He listened to people talking, the nuances of their accents, the phrases, the intonations, the rhythms of their speech. He saw the poverty, the wealth and the interactions between people. He himself is quoted by Tomlin as saying he had a mind like a very sensitive photographic plate. He could remember and use people and situations many years later when he could bring up the memory of siutaions and people to use in his novels. He could remeber things so vividly.Doesn't all that answer your question?<br />As you say he was a genius. He was no more more flawed than any of us.<br />As another great genius said, Oscar Wilde, and hearing about your sensitivity to lifes unpleasantness you probably don't want to think too much about him either,<br /><br />"I may be lying in the gutter but I am looking at the stars."<br /><br />I know I am. me and Oscar together and yes, Charles.TONYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07767998391294014275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-579367039984189257.post-10413839588337068802012-02-21T19:52:22.134-07:002012-02-21T19:52:22.134-07:00Mary, very interesting! It's too bad he became...Mary, very interesting! It's too bad he became so angry with America and too bad his work was pirated here. :(Candy @ So little time...https://www.blogger.com/profile/05308027187577034357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-579367039984189257.post-52531589066270002122012-02-21T11:08:39.529-07:002012-02-21T11:08:39.529-07:00Mary,
What an illuminating review. I, too, have b...Mary,<br /><br />What an illuminating review. I, too, have been curious about Tomalin's biography and wondering if I should get it for my personal collection. After your review, which touched upon many of my concerns, I think I'd wait for the library copy.<br /><br />Like you, I'd much prefer to read how he developed his characters than his relationship with Ellen Ternan. I really don't care to read that kind of salacious details--my tabloid addiction not withstanding. <br /><br />Thanks much for the review!Nina Bennetonhttp://www.ninabenneton.com/noreply@blogger.com