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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
The Way We Live Now is a bitter satire of British society, but does not bite as much as Thackeray.
The Way We Live Now concludes by pairing off all of the characters in matrimony, but none of the marriages make as much sense as Austen.
The Way We Live Now has morally ambiguous characters, but none of them are as fully realized and sympathetically depicted as Eliot.
And don't get me started on Dickens--the villains are not as villainous, the poor characters are not as human, London is not as vivid, and the plot is not as interesting.
I went into The Way We Live Now with very high expectations, I was sort of saving it having gone through much of the highlights of the Victorian canon ([a:Thomas Hardy|15905|Thomas Hardy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429946281p2/15905.jpg] being the most notable exception). I quite liked it. But I did not love it, not as much as those other authors, and not as much as Trollope's [b:The Warden|267123|The Warden (Chronicles of Barsetshire #1)|Anthony Trollope|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388555550l/267123._SY75_.jpg|3102430]. I did not love how unlikable the characters were, how little sense the marriages made, how absurd the schemes of the financier were, or how little insight, sympathy or internal development Trollope allowed any of them to have (except maybe for Mrs. Carbury, who was one of the most fascinating characters in the entire book).
All that said, and setting aside my expectations, it was a wonderful Victorian novel that covered finance, politics, the press, corruption, dissolute titled nobility without money and dissolute moneyed people without titles, and dissolute people without real money or titles, all in a plot that set of subplots that remained engaging from beginning to end. It was just that I didn't start fantasizing about reading it again like I do with the very best books.
The Way We Live Now concludes by pairing off all of the characters in matrimony, but none of the marriages make as much sense as Austen.
The Way We Live Now has morally ambiguous characters, but none of them are as fully realized and sympathetically depicted as Eliot.
And don't get me started on Dickens--the villains are not as villainous, the poor characters are not as human, London is not as vivid, and the plot is not as interesting.
I went into The Way We Live Now with very high expectations, I was sort of saving it having gone through much of the highlights of the Victorian canon ([a:Thomas Hardy|15905|Thomas Hardy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1429946281p2/15905.jpg] being the most notable exception). I quite liked it. But I did not love it, not as much as those other authors, and not as much as Trollope's [b:The Warden|267123|The Warden (Chronicles of Barsetshire #1)|Anthony Trollope|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388555550l/267123._SY75_.jpg|3102430]. I did not love how unlikable the characters were, how little sense the marriages made, how absurd the schemes of the financier were, or how little insight, sympathy or internal development Trollope allowed any of them to have (except maybe for Mrs. Carbury, who was one of the most fascinating characters in the entire book).
All that said, and setting aside my expectations, it was a wonderful Victorian novel that covered finance, politics, the press, corruption, dissolute titled nobility without money and dissolute moneyed people without titles, and dissolute people without real money or titles, all in a plot that set of subplots that remained engaging from beginning to end. It was just that I didn't start fantasizing about reading it again like I do with the very best books.
Wahoo! FINISHED! If you think I didn't like it, just 'cause it took me so long to read, you'd be wrong. It's one of those wonderfully complicated soap opera books that I love. It was just long.. and there were parts that hung me up. But still, it was a fun story.
While there was much in this novel I did enjoy, I don't think it's my favorite Victorian read because comparably little happens and the plot is very much predictable.
On the other hand, I really did end up feeling sorry for Roger Carbury, one of the few decent characters (along with Hetta). Lady Carbury herself was amusing, while Felix was in need of a good hiding.
I do not think Melmotte's fate was taking the easy way out, but I was hoping for a greater pay off.
On the other hand, I really did end up feeling sorry for Roger Carbury, one of the few decent characters (along with Hetta). Lady Carbury herself was amusing, while Felix was in need of a good hiding.
I do not think Melmotte's fate was taking the easy way out, but I was hoping for a greater pay off.
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I recommend watching the TV series before attempting to read this as it helps bring the characters alive in your mind, but there are some major differences between the series and the book.
I've found myself talking and thinking about the book a lot, there's plenty to unpack about the relationships and actions of various characters.
It is, however, very long and some sections feel rather surplus to requirements.
I've found myself talking and thinking about the book a lot, there's plenty to unpack about the relationships and actions of various characters.
It is, however, very long and some sections feel rather surplus to requirements.
slow-paced
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I so enjoyed reading this again, for the second or maybe the third time. Reading Trollope is such a pleasure. Trollope was writing in the golden age of English literature, and it is no surprise that this remains one of the most-loved classic British novels. Wonderful prose, clever characterization, an engaging plot, plenty of interesting sub-plots, powerful satire, all leavened with gentle humour. The principal theme is the pervasive greed and dishonesty of society, with only a very few honest, high-minded individuals remaining immune. The majority are to different degrees grasping, social-climbing, ruthless and egotistical. And yet the tone of the novel is light, not dark and bitter. I listened to an audio version, beautifully read by Timothy West. Highly recommended.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes