Nicholas Nickleby, Volumul I

Nicholas Nickleby #1

by Charles Dickens, Vera Călin (Translator)

Copilăria lui Dickens a stat sub semnul unor evenimente care l-au obligat să se maturizeze de timpuriu. Într-unul dintre episoadele biografice, care prezintă fragmente din primii ani de viaţă ai scriitorului, Charles este surprins în podul casei, unde recuperează cărţile aruncate ici-colo şi lăsate să zacă în praf, printre mormane de vechituri. Pe lângă evidenta aplecare spre proză şi lectură, pe care a demonstrat-o de mic, Dickens a dezvoltat şi o puternică pasiune pentru teatru. O vreme a lucrat ca regizor, punând în scenă câteva piese ale lui Ben Johnson, şi chiar ca actor amator, postura în care cititorii cărţilor lui l-au îndrăgit la fel de mult. Obişnuia să interpreteze unul sau mai multe personaje în aceeaşi piesă, iar la sfârşitul spectacolelor se bucura de aplauzele frenetice ale celor prezenţi în sală. Teatrul a fost pentru Dickens şi un mijloc de a veni în contact cu oamenii obişnuiţi din rândul cărora a desprins multe dintre personajele prezente în opera sa. Succesul în plan profesional nu se regăseşte din nefericire şi în plan personal. După ani de convieţuire, Dickens divorţează de soţia sa cu care avusese zece copii. După divorţ, pasiunea lui pentru teatru îl aduce faţă în faţă cu tânăra actriţă Ellen Ternan, de care se îndrăgosteşte imediat şi cu care, mult timp, va avea o relaţie neoficială. Dragostea lui Dickens pentru teatru explică savuroasele episoade din lumea scenei prezente în paginile romanului "Nicholas Nickleby". Din cauza tratamentului inuman aplicat elevilor din şcoala domnului Squeers, Nicholas Nickleby şi prietenul său, Smike, se iau la bătaie cu dascălul despotic, apoi hotărăsc să scape de regimul greu de îndurat. Momentele petrecute de cei doi în compania grupului de actori ambulanţi, căruia li se alătură, sunt pentru cititor un prilej de adevărată desfătare.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Novels, Historical

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Nadyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Life and Adventure of Nicholas Nickleby" is like I expect a Dickens to be. A widow with two children gone poor, a villainous and ruthless uncle and schoolteacher, poor abused boys, angel-like ladies, chivalrous young men, misery, poverty, abuse... and a fairytale-like ending.

I loved it, as I loved "Oliver Twist", "Great Expectations" and "Martin Chuzzlewit", but curiously enough I have to reads books like this in autumn or winter.

Other thoughts/reviews:

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[MR C BANGS · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early novel with little of the autobiographical content of later epics. We have a noble hero, challenged by adversity, monstrous villains to be opposed, lovely but vulnerable heroines and a host of sympathetic characters to provide relief from the high drama. There is pathos at it's most raw and comedy, too. Dickens' love of the theatre is explored in the company of the Crummles, a family of travelling players to whom Nicholas turns for support and escape from the Yorkshire headmaster, Squeers whose cruelty and exploitation became a symbol of Dickens' campaign against a historical evil.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read Love Charles Dickens' names of his characters

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing gets any better than a good old story from Charles Dickens.. Never ever is he short on characters that have their own personality!!! Saw the movie had to read the book!! If you like any of Dicken 's stories you will call in love with this one. It seems as if he has combined some of his stories into this one... You find two children now as adults and the mom in very tough times as the father has died and now has to go and seek out their uncle who they need a helping hand in finding work to survive!!! The uncle reminded me of Scrooges but in such a different ending.. Follow this family and how they fight to not only survive but to survive their uncle's hate as the uncle brings more trouble into their lives...there will always be hard times and troubles but when happiness comes your way enjoy it and no matter what is thrown at you,do not lose the love in your heart for others,make you bitter,there is always as you will see another person's troubles are worse than your own and never stop helping others with their misfortune if you only have a kind word to share...love the language in the story that is shared from this family to others and they open their hearts and home to make a home and family for the others that do not have one!! A very much need to be read book!!!

[Franziska Self Fisken · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a whole, I found this novel interesting, eventful, illuminating, fascinating.
Some of the descriptions of people, places, events are so vivid they make me feel I travelled back in time. CD exhibits a decidedly dry droll humour at times such as when he remarks that a man wore a suit that did not suit him. CD is a severe critic of hypocrisy, of social injustice (such as cruelty to children and husbands taking over their wives' property) and ridicules greed, avarice, snobbery (particularly in Mrs Nickleby) and other aspects of the social setups in Victorian society. Makes me appreciate living in the Western world in the 21C rather than the 19C.
Some parts I found tedious. The main hero and two heroines seemed too bland for my liking although both Nicholas N and his sister Kate are very direct and Nicholas N does have a hot temper.
The novel ends in a very typical sugary Victorian sentimental way.

[Mark Sabol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickens knows how to weave a great plot, but it's is turn of phrase and creative use of language that really grabs me.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad.

[Brian Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books. Dickens at his best!

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous story!!!

[Josette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading on an audio CD by the BBC. So far it's fantastic. It reads like a live radio show, and the acting is just amazing.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grandma and I read this together and it was FANTASTIC . I am really liking this Dickens guy.