1...of 1001 - A Tale of Two Cities

Ok, so I recognize that Charles Dickens is one of our literary "geniuses".  I am a fully aware that his writing has set a standard on this thing we call "writing".  So then I don't feel nearly as bad that upon reading, what, the first 3 chapters of A Tale of Two Cities,  I find myself completely and utterly LOST. (insert lol's here)

I am not to proud to admit when something is over my head.  I admit that jumping into this endeavor of reading "classic" works came with the fact that I might have to delve into writings that are far and above my brains capacity to understand ONE FREAKING SENTENCE. 

But C'mon!

I had to laugh a little at myself really.  I always prided myself on being "smart". And in understanding certain things that "other" people just don't get.  I thought myself, dare I say, one of those "literary types".  Now, I am willing to down-grade myself to nothing more than an elementary school reader wallowing in self-doubt while my brain oozes out of my ears. (yet another lol moment for you).

What's most baffling is that I, yes I will admit this fully, have read this book before.  Long ago, in high school.  But upon much inspection and reflection our high school version was soooooooooooo different.  How so, you might be wondering.  Well, with that book came handouts galore explaining each and every phrase.  We had teachers who used the minds of those who actually read the book on their own without the help of another, act smart and explain these books to us.  I was always amazed at how our public school teachers "knew" so much.  (Ok, so I am not in any way knocking our teachers...many of them exist within my own family.) I say this to make the point that Charles Dickens is a freak of nature that writes in such a way that he doesn't just want you to leisurely read his stuff...oh, nooo...he wants you to sit with a dictionary and a thesaurus and investigate what the hell he is trying to say.

I, you may be pleased to read, will not relent! I will not give up! I will read this book because I do remember that I did actually like it back then! So now, with no help from anyone...no handout to lead the way....will dive into Sir Dickens (ok, that sounded weird but go with it).  I will not be conquered by my lack of literary prowess!  I will conquer, I will rise and when I get to frustrated...I will google!

So take that Charles Dickens!  I may be drowning in 3 little chapters while the rest of your book looms in its gigantic grammatical awesomeness but I will get through it!

There, I feel better...

Now on to what I have have gathered so far...in 3 measly chapters (bleh...)

So it pretty much opens with these guys standing around in the dark trying to get a stage coach (they call them that don't they?) led by horses up a hill.  It is dark and the social climate in the area (God help me I still haven't figured out - nor can I remember - if they are in France or England) is dangerous because of the many thieves and robbers and "highwaymen" in the area.  So ok, that makes sense.  They seem to be carrying mail of some importance or maybe they just call the (and this is the name I'm going to call it) "stage coach" a mail something or other.  There are also passengers on the coach, or really waiting for this coach to move. One who by what I can gather must be an integral part of the story. So the driver is trying to encourage his horses to move the heavy laden carriage up this hill when out into the darkness they hear the approaching sound of hooves, which turn out to be a messenger calling for one of the passengers...the guy who I think might be important...Mr. Jarvis Lorry. 

Now here is what I don't get...Once Mr. Lorry receives the messengers message he says, "Jerry, say that my answer was, RECALLED TO LIFE." Everyone who hears him finds this response odd and can't make heads or tails of it (join the club).  So I think that at least for now, this phrase must hold some hidden meaning that will later be explained.

I will admit that I am eager to read more.  Even if it takes me 3 to four passes over each paragraph lol.  But so be it.  I find this a worthy challenge and when I get through this book I am sure that I will feel that much smarter and be able to call myself a "pre-literary type".  Why "pre"? Because if this is what it is going to be like with the rest of these books I am just at the beginning of a very long love affair with the dictionary, the thesaurus, and with the all mighty google :)

So that's what I've got so far....not much but just wait....it will get better....or I myself will be recalled to life :)

ahhhhhh....sweet understanding....I have found you yet :)