Nicholas Nickleby, Volumul II

Nicholas Nickleby #2

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

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

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

[Giornata_di_sole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Con un tono ironicamente critico Dickens narra la storia di Nicholas Nickleby, degna degli intrecci e delle complicazioni umane, tipici nella letteratura dell’autore.
Il giovane Nicholas Nickleby si trova a dover sostenere la sua famiglia, dopo la perdita del padre. La famiglia, trasferitasi nella caotica Londra cerca appoggio nella figura del fratello del defunto, Ralph Nickleby, che si rivela, ben presto, nella sua natura perfida ed egoistica.
Fondendo drammaticità, spunti critici, satira e avventura, Dickens costruisce una trama ricca di fascino, con personaggi psicologicamente intensi e con ambientazioni particolareggiate.

[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.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book; probably my favorite Dickens so far, although I say that with each one I read! Long but worth every page. I was afraid when I started it was just another Oliver Twist story, but it wasn't. Lots of intertwined character stories with superb character development. Dickens is the master fiction writer. I was sad when it was over.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lovely story.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read long time ago.