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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
An all time favorite of mine. This is one of Dickens' most biographical books, and the more you know about his life, the more you see the parallels. And it is loaded with completely unforgettable characters, some of the best in Dickens' enormous repertoire of vivid fictional personalities -- the dreadful Murdstones, Peggotty, Mr. Micawber, Aunt Betsey, Mr. Dick, Uriah Heep, Dora -- the list goes on and on. Perhaps most masterful is Steerforth, a very human yet very destructive villain. Yes, I love this book, and I never get tired of it.
I knew of this book for over 40 years before I finally got around to reading it. Having read four Dickens' novels, and enjoyed them, I thought I'd give this one a try. I was surprised how fast I got through it. I found it easier to read than [b:The Old Curiosity Shop|429024|The Old Curiosity Shop|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1332523435l/429024._SY75_.jpg|5246858] and [b:Oliver Twist|18254|Oliver Twist|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327868529l/18254._SY75_.jpg|3057979]. It takes me a chapter or two to get used to Dickens, but once I do, the magic happens, and I find myself in 19th century England all over again. Beautiful prose.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
charles dickens is the master of the recurring joke
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is my second Dickens novel. It seems fine. The characters are memorable and well defined. Not much of a story. I just don't think this literary period does much for me.
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
I absolutely adored this books, however I despised Dora and from the second she was in it I was kinda put off… also by the end I was willing it to end. I would read this again but probably an abridged version tbh.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
The writing was beautiful and these characters will stick with me