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TODAY MARKS THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF CELEBRATED AUTHOR CHARLES DICKENS.DICKENS IS WELL KNOWN FOR OLIVER TWIST,THE PICKWICK PAPERS,BLEAK HOUSE AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL WHICH IS MY FAVOURITE.WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DICKENS STORY.

My husband remarked about this anniversary this morning. I was surprised, because I had thought Dickens was born in 1810. I'm pretty sure he died in 1870, so he didn't quite make it to 60.

Since I re-read Christmas Carol every December, I suppose I'd have to say that one is my favorite. I haven't actually read much of what Dickens wrote, not by a long shot. I've read Tale of Two Cities, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations. I believe I started Oliver Twist once but didn't finish it--although I am very familiar with the musical version, as well as a "straight" dramatic one.

I have taught Great Expectations several times. I had a professor in grad school who regarded that one as a "spiritual autobiography," although David Copperfield may be closer to the actual events of Dickens's life. But my prof thought Great Expectations recorded his inner life.

Many years ago, when I was in London, I went to his house, which is preserved there as a Dickens museum.