Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Smiled, laughed, cried. Dickens knows how to write characters.
Glad I listened to this one.
The performance was great. The writing style was lovely, the story was alright.
Some parts felt very dry and unnecessary, and as a result, it felt like this story was much longer than it needed to be. The beginning and the end were solid. The middle had its good moments, but a lot of it was just so bland. I understand that this novel is semi-autobiographical, but I don't think it had to be this long lol.
Again, thank goodness for the audiobook performance. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have made it through this one
The performance was great. The writing style was lovely, the story was alright.
Some parts felt very dry and unnecessary, and as a result, it felt like this story was much longer than it needed to be. The beginning and the end were solid. The middle had its good moments, but a lot of it was just so bland. I understand that this novel is semi-autobiographical, but I don't think it had to be this long lol.
Again, thank goodness for the audiobook performance. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have made it through this one
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Amazing. Memorable characters. One of the best books I've read.
I read this 821 page novel for the Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt "Bildungsroman" which means "a novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education." It had been a long time since I tackled any new Dickens and I was surprised to find this book so readable. Told in the first person from the time of his earliest years, David's voice matures as he does, moving from a very passive child, victimized by a series of tragedies, to a confident young man who takes charge of his own destiny with a great deal of self awareness. At times laugh out loud funny, the book's real charm is in its cast of secondary characters, who range from the evil to the angelic while still being amazingly lifelike. From the cruel Murdstone siblings to the grasping Uriah Heep; from the motherly and devoted Peggotty to the formidable Betsey Trotwood; from the fallible Mr. Micawber to the simpleminded Mr. Dick, these unforgettable characters never become caricatures. Even David's love interest Dora, in spite of being childish and air-headed, is portrayed with empathy.
The story is quite timeless and even has a number of strong female characters, which can be unusual for the Victorian era. Recommended.
The story is quite timeless and even has a number of strong female characters, which can be unusual for the Victorian era. Recommended.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very readable