So, I began reading the Pickwick Papers a while back and am making slow progress (partly because of the ten other books I'm reading as well as the ten other books I'm writing). I'm around ten chapters in and it's been okay so far. The plot has been moving at a snail's pace, but I didn't really mind that because this was a perfect example to show off Dickens' dry sense of humour. Some moments are just downright hilarious. Especially Mr. Jingle; his way of speaking has me in fits.
Anyway, aside from the humour, I didn't think much of it, until I got to the Madman's Manuscript.
WOW!
Now that is a piece of writing! I don't think I can put my finger on why I liked it so much, but I could just imagine the madman saying all that and it just blew me away with how good it was. This is the kind of writing every writer dreams of producing. And it was Dickens' first novel!
I have always praised Dickens for being able to write about nothing, and yet still keep me entertained, but this is probably the best thing I've ever read from him. Maybe even better than the opening scene to Great Expectations.
This guy deserves every bit of praise put on him.
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