Is it possible to appreciate an authors writing style while disliking the plot/characters of their works?
If I am reading something, and I find myself disliking the story, I look for the symbolism and the message. I try to understand what the author is trying to say. Classics are classics for numerous reasons, one of those reasons being that the message is applicable through all of time. Charles Dickens is one of my favorite authors, and I adore Great Expectations. I never had a hard time with it because of that. If you find yourself disliking the story, I suggest either looking for Dickens’ message (his books are very message oriented), the symbolism (there’s a lot of it), or his foreshadowing (he’s good with foreshadowing too). Dickens is considered to be great because his writing is superb, even though he is wordy and lengthy. His stories are very much controlled; everything he sets up comes together in a sensical way at the end. He’s very good with character development and plot development. On the other hand, Shakespeare is to me what Dickens is to you. I appreciate Shakespeare for hi
