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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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 cannot believe I actually finished this one AND enjoyed it so much. I had attempted to read it back in 2018 but ended up putting it aside because I couldn’t get through it. I’m so glad I gave it another try!
•
One thing I can’t get over is how readable Dickens is! I didn’t struggle with understanding the language at all. I also sometimes struggle with the classics on audio, and that wasn’t the case for this one either. I was very easily able to flip back and forth between print and audio. 📖🎧
•
The characters MAKE this book. They are fun, intriguing, lovable, and funny. Dickens does a great job writing a variety of characters. Since this is, simply put, a story about a man’s life, the life events felt realistic and balanced—I felt it matched life’s ebbs and flows. I was also impressed that so many aspects of this story are still relatable, even so many years later. There is some truth that the important things in life don’t change.
•
One thing I was both surprised and impressed by was Dickens’s inclusion and representation of characters with disabilities and mental illness. The way he wrote these characters was revolutionary, given the time period. His focus on their humanity, kindness, and unique gifts/insights is absolutely beautiful.
•
Finally, reading this story got me thinking about what it would be like to write my own life story—Who would the “main characters” be? What events would be most noteworthy/worth including? Definitely something interesting to think about.
•
If you’ve been feeling intimidated by this one or have set it aside for later, I strongly encourage you to give it a try—even if you read it over a long period of time (it took me a month to get through). I’m so glad I was able to experience and enjoy this one prior to reading Demon Copperhead (which I am planning to read this fall)!
•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I miss reading this book already. This is most certainly one I'll read several more times in my life.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this story about a young man's life and the many interesting people that he meets on his way to adulthood.
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced