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srobertsp's review against another edition
4.0
First read in high school (1968?), assigned, I think.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I really love Dickens, so I had high expectations walking into this, but I was not disappointed - of course, Dickens never does! It took a minute for me to get used to the format of the book, it was a bit like soaking into a very warm bath. It was just a touch too hot, but I was slowly able to sink in and thoroughly enjoy myself.
Mr. Pickwick was an enjoyable character, and his friends were stolid, engaging types. It was a new change of pace, a up-beat Dickens novel, but there were moments of this book that had me laughing out loud. It was reminiscent of Wodehouse, though with a fair bit less levity.
I was certainly hoping for a little more satisfaction or even revenge on a couple plot lines, but I was to be disappointed. This book wonderfully ties up loose ends as Dickens always does, but I am clearly more petty than Mr. Dickens & Mr. Pickwick. This book was still thoroughly enjoyable.
I recommend this book to all fans of Dickens or great English literature. While not my favorite of his novels, this was still a great read.
Mr. Pickwick was an enjoyable character, and his friends were stolid, engaging types. It was a new change of pace, a up-beat Dickens novel, but there were moments of this book that had me laughing out loud. It was reminiscent of Wodehouse, though with a fair bit less levity.
I was certainly hoping for a little more satisfaction or even revenge on a couple plot lines, but I was to be disappointed. This book wonderfully ties up loose ends as Dickens always does, but I am clearly more petty than Mr. Dickens & Mr. Pickwick. This book was still thoroughly enjoyable.
I recommend this book to all fans of Dickens or great English literature. While not my favorite of his novels, this was still a great read.
edenseve63's review against another edition
5.0
It has been my ambition for some time to read the Dickens' canon in chronological publication order -- with the exception of "A Christmas Carol" which I read at the holidays. "The Pickwick Papers" was #1 on the list. I tried unsuccessfully to read the text, but time and eyesight being what it is, I didn't get far. A couple of weeks back I came across Audible's "The Dickens Collection" when I re-upped my membership. To my happiness I found this collection of Audible Dickens editions works perfectly with my schedule and allows me to get into the text with the aid of such marvelous narrators like Rory Kinnear, who made each and every character a clear and distinct individual not to be confused with any other.
Dickens, whose work originally came out in serial form, can be somewhat awkward for the modern readers when taken as a full novel. Had he been writing today, I can easily imagine Dickens having long-term gigs as a Show Runner with Netflix and Amazon. Long before tv cliffhangers left us wondering "who shot J.R. Ewing" Dickens had polished this art form. His topsy turvy plots often take one off on tangent adventures in the midst of the main storyline leaving the reader a bit confused. And perhaps, the modern reader can predict how plots will come together in the end after years of watching television serial dramas. But the joy of reading Dickens is he continually delights with humor, meaningful text and the gospel like lessons that remain timeless and universal.
Mr. Samuel Pickwick's papers, a report to his club members, on his adventures in each town, hamlet and city he comes to, be it a political rivalry between newspaper editors, or a family drama involving the Wardle family of the adorably named Dingley Dell and their romantic mishaps are all dutifully reported along with serious issues like the condition of those confined to debtors prison. Mr. Pickwick remains throughout the course of the novel kind-hearted, curious, generous and a pillar of morality in a world (like our own) that is sorely lacking in those traits. He can also, like all of us, lose patience with stupidity and become disheartened by the injustices he witnesses. A solitary single gentleman, he finds companionship among assorted characters, each with their distinct good and bad qualities. However, in a time when rank in society was clearly delineated, Pickwick (perhaps like Dickens) does not judge any person based on their place in the order of the day. This is clearly seen in his relationship with Samuel Weller and his father. An ordinary working man with little formal education, he not only serves as Pickwick's employee but his most trusted companion. This is never clearer than when Pickwick finds himself in the Fleet (debtors prison) because he refuses to pay compensation to his former landlady Mrs. Bardell who under the wicked hand of unscrupulous attorneys' Dodson and Fogg brings a case of breach of promise against him. Samuel Weller convinces his father Tony Weller to bring charges against his son and see that he is imprisoned alongside his master, Mr. Pickwick, in the Fleet. Sam's devotion to Pickwick and the childless Pickwick's fatherly feelings for Sam are among the most beautiful parts of the story.
Dickens like Daniel DeFoe sought to render the ills of society and depicting those consigned to the debtors prison fairly details the fateful course when job, money, home are all lost. On a spiritual and practical plain, the reader is taught the blessing of forgiveness in Pickwick's ultimate encounter with Messrs. Jingle and Trotter.
For those like myself, more familiar with Dickens more popular works, in The Pickwick Papers the reader foresees the origins of famed characters like Tiny Tim and Fagan to be reborn to great acclaim in his later novels. In true Dickensian fashion there is plenty of mayhem, miscommunication and hijinx to keep you laughing throughout and all loose ends are eventually tied up in a satisfying ending.
Dickens, whose work originally came out in serial form, can be somewhat awkward for the modern readers when taken as a full novel. Had he been writing today, I can easily imagine Dickens having long-term gigs as a Show Runner with Netflix and Amazon. Long before tv cliffhangers left us wondering "who shot J.R. Ewing" Dickens had polished this art form. His topsy turvy plots often take one off on tangent adventures in the midst of the main storyline leaving the reader a bit confused. And perhaps, the modern reader can predict how plots will come together in the end after years of watching television serial dramas. But the joy of reading Dickens is he continually delights with humor, meaningful text and the gospel like lessons that remain timeless and universal.
Mr. Samuel Pickwick's papers, a report to his club members, on his adventures in each town, hamlet and city he comes to, be it a political rivalry between newspaper editors, or a family drama involving the Wardle family of the adorably named Dingley Dell and their romantic mishaps are all dutifully reported along with serious issues like the condition of those confined to debtors prison. Mr. Pickwick remains throughout the course of the novel kind-hearted, curious, generous and a pillar of morality in a world (like our own) that is sorely lacking in those traits. He can also, like all of us, lose patience with stupidity and become disheartened by the injustices he witnesses. A solitary single gentleman, he finds companionship among assorted characters, each with their distinct good and bad qualities. However, in a time when rank in society was clearly delineated, Pickwick (perhaps like Dickens) does not judge any person based on their place in the order of the day. This is clearly seen in his relationship with Samuel Weller and his father. An ordinary working man with little formal education, he not only serves as Pickwick's employee but his most trusted companion. This is never clearer than when Pickwick finds himself in the Fleet (debtors prison) because he refuses to pay compensation to his former landlady Mrs. Bardell who under the wicked hand of unscrupulous attorneys' Dodson and Fogg brings a case of breach of promise against him. Samuel Weller convinces his father Tony Weller to bring charges against his son and see that he is imprisoned alongside his master, Mr. Pickwick, in the Fleet. Sam's devotion to Pickwick and the childless Pickwick's fatherly feelings for Sam are among the most beautiful parts of the story.
Dickens like Daniel DeFoe sought to render the ills of society and depicting those consigned to the debtors prison fairly details the fateful course when job, money, home are all lost. On a spiritual and practical plain, the reader is taught the blessing of forgiveness in Pickwick's ultimate encounter with Messrs. Jingle and Trotter.
For those like myself, more familiar with Dickens more popular works, in The Pickwick Papers the reader foresees the origins of famed characters like Tiny Tim and Fagan to be reborn to great acclaim in his later novels. In true Dickensian fashion there is plenty of mayhem, miscommunication and hijinx to keep you laughing throughout and all loose ends are eventually tied up in a satisfying ending.
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
2.0
Probably my least favorite of Dickens' work. The humor was pretty thin, and the long, rather pointless asides were many. I had to work pretty hard to get through it.
louloup_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
A rather delightful, slice-of-life look at the peregrinations of one middle-aged, benevolent-if-slightly-daft, bachelor Mr Pickwick and his three younger but similarly inclined friends. Dickens provides a window - comical as it is - to how people spent their leisure time in the 1820s, drinking punch and telling stories to complete strangers in the roadside inn dining room. The story really picks up around Chapter 10 with the introduction of Mr. Samuel Weller - the always affable but streetwise and loyal valet to Mr Pickwick (and Mr. Weller Sr and his troubles when his wife “gets” religion). #teamSamuelWeller (I am also convinced that Sam Weller is Tolkien’s inspiration for the loyal Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings.)
I did this partly in print and partly on audio.
I did this partly in print and partly on audio.
lorettalucia's review against another edition
2.0
I tried my hardest to read this and really did not enjoy it at all (after getting about 25% in). I do quite like Dickens, so I suspect the reason I don't like this one is attributable to it being his first long work. Perhaps I'll give it a try at a later date, but I suspect not. With so many wonderful books out there (including more by Dickens!) I find no reason to force myself to read something when doing so feels like a chore.
librator's review against another edition
5.0
Quite good. Much more lighthearted than a lot of Dickens' work, downright hilarious at times, and has some great characters - particularly Sam Weller and his father. A bit disjointed, though (as might be expected from something originally published serially), and the mood whipsaws around sometimes, especially when the characters start telling stories of their own. In addition, the ending, like many Dickensian endings, is awfully convenient for all concerned. Still, a good read, and one that takes its place as one of my favorite Dickens books.
musicdeepdive's review against another edition
3.5
Dickens' entrance into fame (if not his first case for infamy) is a sprawling satire. Its episodic structure is a product of its release style, and it's arguably a weak point, but there is a through narrative if you squint hard enough. And you're not coming here for narrative, anyways: it's the memorable characters and the witty writing, which Dickens had even in the juvenile years of his career.
lgpiper's review against another edition
3.0
Thank God this is over! I had previously read six books by Dickens and I loved them all. I even gave 5*s to one or two. This one, however, was a painful read. I think part of the problem might have been my own current personal issues. Rather a lot of heavy stuff has been going on recently and I have been having problems focusing. So perhaps the vapid piffle just didn't work because I wasn't able to take it all in. To be fair, the book was a better read in the middle. I was sorely tempted to give up during the first 10-20%, but after that, I was interested enough to finish it up.
In reading this book, I was reminded of Harriet Vane's comment (in Strong Poison) that someone would like to marry Lord Peter Wimsey merely for the pleasure of hearing him talk piffle. Well, Dickens, who was 75 or so years before Wimsey, was a master at piffle. Normally, I like piffle. My very own spouse considers me to be a regular fountain of piffle. But, this book had a bit too much of it and a bit too little else. It basically had no point other than piffle. There's no real plot. Dickens just made up stuff for a year or two and eventually republished it wrapped all into a single volume as a novel. His first to be exact.
His later novels seem to have some point from the beginning and eventually, with lots of entertaining piffle along the way, get to their appointed ends. In this case, there was no point except for the piffle and Dickens eventually ran out. Something like that. He does show some signs of his future greatness. He has some rather interesting and quirky characters. He has shyster lawyers all over the place. He has blaggards and scoundrels, albeit in this novel they're not also physically marred in some way as per usual. I don't remember any orphans in this book, and not really any sickly innocents. But, I suppose for Dickens, it's a good beginning. Or something.
Perhaps the best way to view this book is akin to a modern sit com. There's a new episode each week that has some entertainment value in itself, but which is only marginally connected in any way with past or future episodes, other than that the characters remain the same and some of their past experiences are recounted in some way in the future. In essence, it's a Victorian-era version of the 1990s TV show, Friends.
-------------------------------------
As a side note, Amazon claims that the book contains 514 pages, the book itself says only 508, but the exact same edition on GoodReads has a more reasonable view of the page count, 914 pp. I checked that the ASIN numbers were the same on GoodReads and Amazon. Virtually all the dead-tree versions are closer to 1000 pages than to 500 pages. So why is Amazon so far off on it's alleged "real page numbers"? This isn't the first time I noticed that Amazon was page-count challenged. Why do I care?
In reading this book, I was reminded of Harriet Vane's comment (in Strong Poison) that someone would like to marry Lord Peter Wimsey merely for the pleasure of hearing him talk piffle. Well, Dickens, who was 75 or so years before Wimsey, was a master at piffle. Normally, I like piffle. My very own spouse considers me to be a regular fountain of piffle. But, this book had a bit too much of it and a bit too little else. It basically had no point other than piffle. There's no real plot. Dickens just made up stuff for a year or two and eventually republished it wrapped all into a single volume as a novel. His first to be exact.
His later novels seem to have some point from the beginning and eventually, with lots of entertaining piffle along the way, get to their appointed ends. In this case, there was no point except for the piffle and Dickens eventually ran out. Something like that. He does show some signs of his future greatness. He has some rather interesting and quirky characters. He has shyster lawyers all over the place. He has blaggards and scoundrels, albeit in this novel they're not also physically marred in some way as per usual. I don't remember any orphans in this book, and not really any sickly innocents. But, I suppose for Dickens, it's a good beginning. Or something.
Perhaps the best way to view this book is akin to a modern sit com. There's a new episode each week that has some entertainment value in itself, but which is only marginally connected in any way with past or future episodes, other than that the characters remain the same and some of their past experiences are recounted in some way in the future. In essence, it's a Victorian-era version of the 1990s TV show, Friends.
-------------------------------------
As a side note, Amazon claims that the book contains 514 pages, the book itself says only 508, but the exact same edition on GoodReads has a more reasonable view of the page count, 914 pp. I checked that the ASIN numbers were the same on GoodReads and Amazon. Virtually all the dead-tree versions are closer to 1000 pages than to 500 pages. So why is Amazon so far off on it's alleged "real page numbers"? This isn't the first time I noticed that Amazon was page-count challenged. Why do I care?