Reviews

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

rebel_rocketman's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

tammyanne's review against another edition

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challenging funny slow-paced

3.75

kaykay38's review

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5.0

This may now be one of my favourite books. The voice of the narrator is the most interesting character in the book. Becky is wonderful until she becomes absolutely predictable and plain unredeemable-ly cruel. Her heart is too small to be an interesting character. Amelia is very predictable in her sainthood. She is more likable, but boring. I really appreciated the fact that Thackeray attempted to create an intelligent female protagonist, even though she must end up in a pitiful state.

fab72's review against another edition

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funny informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ketutar's review against another edition

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4.0

It is brilliant.

Though... I question Becky's quilt. I don't think she should have lost her reputation or friends. I claim she's innocent, and destroyed by mere gossip and lies. So, her mother was a dancer. Who cares?

dabhand3's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

libellum_aphrodite's review

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1.0

I absolutely do not understand how this book reached beloved classic status. I object not to the story, but the incessant descriptions about nothing - long-winded is too weak an adjective to adequately embody it. To give proper appreciation for Thackeray's satiric perceptiveness, we do get quite the portraits of the deception, manipulation, dishonesty, pettiness, and...well...vanity rampant in the aristocracy of that time. Unfortunately, they are hidden amongst distractions such as 50 page descriptions of everyone seen and every inch traveled on a pleasure tour of Europe. As it was, all reading sessions were inevitably accompanied by small naps, and I have yet to find a book written in 19th century England that I enjoyed reading.

ciaralindner's review against another edition

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challenging funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ganzfeldstate's review

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4.0

Who doesn't know a Becky Sharp? The social commentary of the book is relevant even now and I loved it. I managed to read around 500 pages in one sitting yesterday!