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rohitremeshhello's review
A saga of well intentioned proportions. Little Nell is a striking character and the world of the Old Curiosity Shop revolves around her. We see little of Nell compared to other characters.
catharmonica's review
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mary_sh's review against another edition
4.0
"La bottega dell'antiquario", che potrebbe forse definirsi un romanzo “picaresco”, vede come protagonisti una bambina, Nell, e suo nonno che, vedendosi costretti a lasciare la casa e la città di origine per motivi di debiti decidono di intraprendere un viaggio e di “vagabondare” per le periferie e le campagne inglesi. Nel loro cammino incontreranno tutta una serie di personaggi particolari che li aiuteranno o ostacoleranno in vari modi.
Anche qui, come in altri romanzi di Dickens, emerge il tema sociale, nell’elevare di spirito i personaggi economicamente più poveri.
Pregi:
- Romanzo corale, in cui i molteplici personaggi sono ben descritti.
- La scrittura ironica di Dickens.
- Caratteristica tipica dei feuilleton, le vicende si susseguono a un ritmo abbastanza incalzante con diversi colpi di scena, se così si possono definire.
- Personaggio migliore: Dick Swiveller, l’unico di cui mi interessasse veramente come sarebbe proseguita la sua vicenda e cosa gli sarebbe successo.
Difetti (agli occhi di un lettore moderno, da contestualizzare all’epoca della scrittura del romanzo):
- i personaggi sono dei tipi, quindi bianchi o neri, buoni o cattivi e tali restano per tutta la narrazione. Nell è la tipica protagonista dickensiana, bambina purissima e piissima che non ha mai un pensiero negativo nei confronti di niente e di nessuno.
- Eccessiva commiserazione
- Questo difetto lo attribuisco all’edizione che ho letto io, che è una vecchia edizione della Bur che ha la caratteristica molto fastidiosa di avere tutti i nomi tradotti in italiano
Anche qui, come in altri romanzi di Dickens, emerge il tema sociale, nell’elevare di spirito i personaggi economicamente più poveri.
Pregi:
- Romanzo corale, in cui i molteplici personaggi sono ben descritti.
- La scrittura ironica di Dickens.
- Caratteristica tipica dei feuilleton, le vicende si susseguono a un ritmo abbastanza incalzante con diversi colpi di scena, se così si possono definire.
- Personaggio migliore: Dick Swiveller, l’unico di cui mi interessasse veramente come sarebbe proseguita la sua vicenda e cosa gli sarebbe successo.
Difetti (agli occhi di un lettore moderno, da contestualizzare all’epoca della scrittura del romanzo):
- i personaggi sono dei tipi, quindi bianchi o neri, buoni o cattivi e tali restano per tutta la narrazione. Nell è la tipica protagonista dickensiana, bambina purissima e piissima che non ha mai un pensiero negativo nei confronti di niente e di nessuno.
- Eccessiva commiserazione
- Questo difetto lo attribuisco all’edizione che ho letto io, che è una vecchia edizione della Bur che ha la caratteristica molto fastidiosa di avere tutti i nomi tradotti in italiano
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how I always end up reading Dickens during winter break, but I do. It's become a sort of unexpected tradition.
In all honesty, this is perhaps the most confusing of all 3 books of his I've read, though that may largely be due to the fact that I was travelling quite a lot and read this in strange, large spurts at a time. Do with that what you will.
However, the tale of Little Nell as a social critique is powerful and to the point. Little girls are expected to be happy even in poverty, and they're constantly in positions--especially in the Victorian era--of naivete, misunderstanding, and powerlessness. They're at the mercy of the men around them, and that in itself is a tragedy, even if the men are evil, even if the men are loving and kind.
Also most poignant to me is how Mr. Quilp treats Mrs. Quilp. He's certainly a terrible, dastardly man, but the way he treats his wife, even by Victorian standards I'm sure, is something beyond me. There's mental stress, manipulation, emotional distress, physical discomfort. This book goes to great lengths to show how unworthy Mr. Quilp is of anything good that comes his way.
Overall, this was quite an interesting book, one filled with lots of commentary, imagery, and hope.
Review cross-listed here!
In all honesty, this is perhaps the most confusing of all 3 books of his I've read, though that may largely be due to the fact that I was travelling quite a lot and read this in strange, large spurts at a time. Do with that what you will.
However, the tale of Little Nell as a social critique is powerful and to the point. Little girls are expected to be happy even in poverty, and they're constantly in positions--especially in the Victorian era--of naivete, misunderstanding, and powerlessness. They're at the mercy of the men around them, and that in itself is a tragedy, even if the men are evil, even if the men are loving and kind.
Also most poignant to me is how Mr. Quilp treats Mrs. Quilp. He's certainly a terrible, dastardly man, but the way he treats his wife, even by Victorian standards I'm sure, is something beyond me. There's mental stress, manipulation, emotional distress, physical discomfort. This book goes to great lengths to show how unworthy Mr. Quilp is of anything good that comes his way.
Overall, this was quite an interesting book, one filled with lots of commentary, imagery, and hope.
Review cross-listed here!
johannaf's review
4.0
I've been undertaking a reading challenge this year, and one of the categories was a book that intimidated me. I'd purchased this book a while ago, as I always felt I should read a Dickens. I didn't know anything about the story or the characters, so no misconceptions (I'd never even heard of it!) and the title alone appealed. However, it then sat on my shelf for ages, until this challenge came along.
For a book that I thought was intimidating, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story (or yarn as I described it to a friend), meeting all the characters and watching the various aspects of their lives unfold.
After "living" with the characters for so long, I was disappointed in the ending. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this and felt a bit deflated. Otherwise, I'm really glad I stumbled across this book, and never having read Dickens before, or knowing anything about this story - I did genuinely enjoy it and didn't find it as intimidating as I thought it would!
For a book that I thought was intimidating, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story (or yarn as I described it to a friend), meeting all the characters and watching the various aspects of their lives unfold.
After "living" with the characters for so long, I was disappointed in the ending. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this and felt a bit deflated. Otherwise, I'm really glad I stumbled across this book, and never having read Dickens before, or knowing anything about this story - I did genuinely enjoy it and didn't find it as intimidating as I thought it would!
allie_hilleson's review
4.0
When I first read this book I didn't like it that much because someone had just explained to me why they didn't like the movie. The second time through I really enjoyed it.
The story is very sad. Sad in a way you don't want it to go but Dickens masterfully crafts his characters and story as always.
I do think that this is one of the more difficult of Dickens' stories to read though.
The story is very sad. Sad in a way you don't want it to go but Dickens masterfully crafts his characters and story as always.
I do think that this is one of the more difficult of Dickens' stories to read though.
andreiamorais's review against another edition
TW: Jogo Violência, Doença, Morte
A sinopse intrigou-me e até comecei a leitura expectante, curiosa para compreender os seus contornos. Embora considere interessante a escuridão que paira em grande parte das personagens, confesso que a história não resultou comigo, porque se foi dividindo por muitos caminhos alternativos. Além disso, pareceu-me que passou demasiado tempo a construir um contexto que demonstra a mesquinhez e a crueldade do ser humano para, depois, as conclusões serem céleres.
Reconheço que também é possível não ter feito a leitura no momento certo, condicionando a minha envolvência com o livro
A sinopse intrigou-me e até comecei a leitura expectante, curiosa para compreender os seus contornos. Embora considere interessante a escuridão que paira em grande parte das personagens, confesso que a história não resultou comigo, porque se foi dividindo por muitos caminhos alternativos. Além disso, pareceu-me que passou demasiado tempo a construir um contexto que demonstra a mesquinhez e a crueldade do ser humano para, depois, as conclusões serem céleres.
Reconheço que também é possível não ter feito a leitura no momento certo, condicionando a minha envolvência com o livro
veecaswell's review against another edition
3.0
Not a single man comes out of this well, and for me, not even the author.
Little Nell, you deserved better.
One thing I will say though, Charles could set a scene, this book really does bring everywhere they go to life really beautifully and makes me want to go on a road trip to the south of England.
I just, I don't know why this book made me so mad but right now I need a cup of tea to calm myself.
Little Nell, you deserved better.
One thing I will say though, Charles could set a scene, this book really does bring everywhere they go to life really beautifully and makes me want to go on a road trip to the south of England.
I just, I don't know why this book made me so mad but right now I need a cup of tea to calm myself.
itsdanewrightt's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0