Our Mutual Friend

One of my heroes George Orwell devoted a considerable amount of effort and writing to the world of Charles Dickens.

"He happens to be one of those 'great authors' who are ladled down everyone's throat in childhood. At the time this causes rebellion and vomiting, but it may have different after-effects in later life."

My own experiences have proved much more intermittent. I completed Our Mutual Friend yesterday after nibbling on such since February. I found the emotional volte-face of many of the characters to be rather jarring; when the ruses are revealed, it felt improbable. Such amateur agents don't strike me as convincing. I am glad I read such.