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edwardian_girl_next_door's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book is mediocre Dickens: not him at his best, not him at his worst - just him being himself. I found the beginning entertaining and engaging, but it suffered from "sagging middle syndrome" and things seemed to wrap up a little too conveniently at the end. I was dragging myself through it by the end through force of willpower alone.
That being said, I loved the Lizzie storyline. The characters that peopled her narrative were deep, complex and colorful (Jenny, Charlie, Eugene, Bradley Headstone). I wish Dickens had given them a little more of his meticulous attention because I found myself rooting for her, despite her almost too-pure persona. Although, at the end, she also seemed conveniently summed up and put away like the rest of the characters. I would have liked to see a more involved wrap-up of all the deep struggles she went through during the course of the story!
Another note: the one thing I love about this book is the Eugene x Mortimer banter. I love their vibes so much and every scene with them honestly made me so happy. There was one scene where I laughed out loud on the train like an idiot because of the back and forth sass. 10/10 would read a fanfic.
But overall, this book is not my favourite. If you're looking for a Dickens novel that's about the same length, full of complex and quirky characters, has romance and mystery and the same biting social criticism of mid-Victorian England, read Bleak House instead. It's also much more widely read, so if you need help understanding the plot, looking up quotes etc., there's more likely to be online resources for you.
That being said, I loved the Lizzie storyline. The characters that peopled her narrative were deep, complex and colorful (Jenny, Charlie, Eugene, Bradley Headstone). I wish Dickens had given them a little more of his meticulous attention because I found myself rooting for her, despite her almost too-pure persona. Although, at the end, she also seemed conveniently summed up and put away like the rest of the characters. I would have liked to see a more involved wrap-up of all the deep struggles she went through during the course of the story!
Another note: the one thing I love about this book is the Eugene x Mortimer banter. I love their vibes so much and every scene with them honestly made me so happy. There was one scene where I laughed out loud on the train like an idiot because of the back and forth sass. 10/10 would read a fanfic.
But overall, this book is not my favourite. If you're looking for a Dickens novel that's about the same length, full of complex and quirky characters, has romance and mystery and the same biting social criticism of mid-Victorian England, read Bleak House instead. It's also much more widely read, so if you need help understanding the plot, looking up quotes etc., there's more likely to be online resources for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Sexual harassment
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