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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I decided to give Dickens another try because Katie Lumsden is so adorable in her passionate joy over him. She highly recommended this book, which is the only Dickens novel I had never heard of. I can't say I love it as much as she does, but I did finish it - which is more than I can say for "Middlemarch"! It didn't really seem to have much of a plot until maybe 4/5 of the way through. Basically, it is about the daily comings and goings of hundreds of Dickensian characters. But...it wasn't bad. And it does have some interesting things to say about women - or rather, it depicts an assortment of very interesting women and their various circumstances.
I did have some questions though: what exactly was Alice's past relationship with Mr Carker? And what horrible "crime" did John Carker commit so long ago that earned not only James' permanent scorn but also John's permanent humility? For that matter, what was Edith's past with Mr Carker? Sometimes I listened to the audiobook rather than read with my eyes, and I may have missed these points?
The book does suffer from many of Dickens' flaws: the writing is hard to understand, characters will have a verbal tick that they repeat ad nauseum, caricature substitutes for character. It's also ridiculously long. But I can see how when it was serialized in the 19th century, and all the family gathered around of an evening to have it read aloud, it must have been like receiving a long, chatty letter from distant relatives.
This novel is usually seen as a turning point in Dickens' career, when he began planning and plotting his novels, really developing and perfecting his craft. I do have copies of Our Mutual Friend and Bleak House, and I think I will like both of them more than this. I've read the first few chapters of OMF and already it has more plot than D&S did in the entire book.
I am sure that Dickens will not replace Wilkie Collins as my favorite. But given how much I do enjoy Victorian literature, I won't mind adding Dickens back into the pot. In short, I wouldn't recommend this book to any except hardcore Victorian/Dickens fans. But stay tuned for more....
I did have some questions though: what exactly was Alice's past relationship with Mr Carker? And what horrible "crime" did John Carker commit so long ago that earned not only James' permanent scorn but also John's permanent humility? For that matter, what was Edith's past with Mr Carker? Sometimes I listened to the audiobook rather than read with my eyes, and I may have missed these points?
The book does suffer from many of Dickens' flaws: the writing is hard to understand, characters will have a verbal tick that they repeat ad nauseum, caricature substitutes for character. It's also ridiculously long. But I can see how when it was serialized in the 19th century, and all the family gathered around of an evening to have it read aloud, it must have been like receiving a long, chatty letter from distant relatives.
This novel is usually seen as a turning point in Dickens' career, when he began planning and plotting his novels, really developing and perfecting his craft. I do have copies of Our Mutual Friend and Bleak House, and I think I will like both of them more than this. I've read the first few chapters of OMF and already it has more plot than D&S did in the entire book.
I am sure that Dickens will not replace Wilkie Collins as my favorite. But given how much I do enjoy Victorian literature, I won't mind adding Dickens back into the pot. In short, I wouldn't recommend this book to any except hardcore Victorian/Dickens fans. But stay tuned for more....
I came to this reread (with the local Dickens Fellowship) remembering only two specific, powerful things from my first read many years ago. Or rather I thought I’d remembered the two things; I’d apparently misremembered them for the most part.
The first was the imagery in my head about the results of the construction of a railroad into a working-poor (of course) section of London and how that displaced and crowded the residents. The imagery had gained such power in my mind that reading it this time I read past it wondering if I hadn’t gotten to the passage yet. I may have attributed a (cumulative) power to this section with a much later one of a train and a character’s fate. This person’s fate is preceded by a carriage escape that was dramatically effective—cinematic—and brought to mind the same feeling I had about the dramatic carriage escape in A Tale of Two Cities.
The second misremembered element was of a certain female character giving an impassioned, cathartic dressing-down to a male character who deserved that and more. It held such power for me that I’d retained the image of it in my head. Except … she wasn’t the female character I’d remembered. (Once again, I think I’d combined the passage with a later one, though both are of different characters.) Reading the passage this time might not have been as powerful for me, but it was just as cathartic.
At one of the Fellowship meetings, the discussion of who is the main character of the book arose. As with [b:Martin Chuzzlewit|1990|Martin Chuzzlewit|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334392783l/1990._SY75_.jpg|901325] and [b:Barnaby Rudge|11026|Barnaby Rudge|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309202834l/11026._SY75_.jpg|1495598], and despite their titles, there was no definitive answer. (I think, like with [b:Oliver Twist|18254|Oliver Twist|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327868529l/18254._SY75_.jpg|3057979] but unlike with [b:David Copperfield|58696|David Copperfield|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461452762l/58696._SY75_.jpg|4711940], these novels revolve around the titled character, though he may not be the protagonist.) Before writing this review, I flipped to the novel’s title page and was reminded of its full title: Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation—perhaps Dickens’s main character isn’t a person at all. (I’ve already heard a disagreement with that theory.)
The first was the imagery in my head about the results of the construction of a railroad into a working-poor (of course) section of London and how that displaced and crowded the residents. The imagery had gained such power in my mind that reading it this time I read past it wondering if I hadn’t gotten to the passage yet. I may have attributed a (cumulative) power to this section with a much later one of a train and a character’s fate. This person’s fate is preceded by a carriage escape that was dramatically effective—cinematic—and brought to mind the same feeling I had about the dramatic carriage escape in A Tale of Two Cities.
The second misremembered element was of a certain female character giving an impassioned, cathartic dressing-down to a male character who deserved that and more. It held such power for me that I’d retained the image of it in my head. Except … she wasn’t the female character I’d remembered. (Once again, I think I’d combined the passage with a later one, though both are of different characters.) Reading the passage this time might not have been as powerful for me, but it was just as cathartic.
At one of the Fellowship meetings, the discussion of who is the main character of the book arose. As with [b:Martin Chuzzlewit|1990|Martin Chuzzlewit|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334392783l/1990._SY75_.jpg|901325] and [b:Barnaby Rudge|11026|Barnaby Rudge|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309202834l/11026._SY75_.jpg|1495598], and despite their titles, there was no definitive answer. (I think, like with [b:Oliver Twist|18254|Oliver Twist|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327868529l/18254._SY75_.jpg|3057979] but unlike with [b:David Copperfield|58696|David Copperfield|Charles Dickens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461452762l/58696._SY75_.jpg|4711940], these novels revolve around the titled character, though he may not be the protagonist.) Before writing this review, I flipped to the novel’s title page and was reminded of its full title: Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation—perhaps Dickens’s main character isn’t a person at all. (I’ve already heard a disagreement with that theory.)
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is my favourite Dickens it has everything, loveable characters, villains, found family, devoted dogs, comedy and an over arching story of love and redemption. It made me chuckle out loud but also gasp and shed a tear. I was invested in all the 1000 pages.
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I cannot even begin to convey with enough enthusiasm, how sincerely I enjoyed this novel. Even by Dickens' peerless standards, this was a transport and a delight. I think it is my fifth Dickens this year and I am not sure if it is just an encroaching and warm familiarity, or perhaps this really is another level of literary greatness, but I enjoyed and marvelled at this work even more than my former favourite, David Copperfield.
I suspect that the reason is that this, like David Copperfield, is one of his longer works. Odd thought his might seem, it occurs to me that Dickens does not write for plot. There is plot, and usually a very compelling one, but the book does not work to the plot's rhythm, rather it marches at the timing of the major characters. For example, on of the major issues for me in The Old Curiosity Shop was the seemingly long-winded closing stages where Sally Brass took up a vast tract of the latter chapters. I really feel now, after Dombey, that this is all part of the design. Dickens writes to explore the richness of people, and sometimes it is a journey in itself. The reward lies in just relaxing into it, and appreciating the foibles and quirks of these people even if they do not advance the plot very much, because in a sense, they supersede such devices and carry them along in their wake.
In any case, Dombey was a beautiful, rewarding and magnificent journey through the humanising process of a very proud man who - as Oscar Wilder said it - knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Some of the characters were sublime. Old Major Bagstock, (in truth a personage I'm sure only the English could really get), the formidable and tragic Edith, her hilarious mother 'Cleopatra', and of course young Waller, and the darling Florence. They will all stay with me for years to come.
Is this Dickens' most under-appreciated and underrated novel? I still have a few to read, but so far, I would say without a doubt! Wonderful.
I suspect that the reason is that this, like David Copperfield, is one of his longer works. Odd thought his might seem, it occurs to me that Dickens does not write for plot. There is plot, and usually a very compelling one, but the book does not work to the plot's rhythm, rather it marches at the timing of the major characters. For example, on of the major issues for me in The Old Curiosity Shop was the seemingly long-winded closing stages where Sally Brass took up a vast tract of the latter chapters. I really feel now, after Dombey, that this is all part of the design. Dickens writes to explore the richness of people, and sometimes it is a journey in itself. The reward lies in just relaxing into it, and appreciating the foibles and quirks of these people even if they do not advance the plot very much, because in a sense, they supersede such devices and carry them along in their wake.
In any case, Dombey was a beautiful, rewarding and magnificent journey through the humanising process of a very proud man who - as Oscar Wilder said it - knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Some of the characters were sublime. Old Major Bagstock, (in truth a personage I'm sure only the English could really get), the formidable and tragic Edith, her hilarious mother 'Cleopatra', and of course young Waller, and the darling Florence. They will all stay with me for years to come.
Is this Dickens' most under-appreciated and underrated novel? I still have a few to read, but so far, I would say without a doubt! Wonderful.
This was one of those books which would've been wonderful 3x shorter than it was. Read via audiobook and found my mind wandering while listening.
I’ve read that Dombey and Son was the first of Dickens’ novels that was meticulously planned out from the beginning. That doesn’t seem true, given that a few of the characters who are given promising subplots are returned to almost as afterthoughts in the resolution. The Browns, Alice and her mother, seem destined to intersect in a big way with James Carker, possibly being the means of his fall from grace. But this never happens. Edith Dombey leaves the stage after her confrontation with Carker in Dijon, seeming prepared to finally take charge of her own life, but she is forgotten until a final emotional scene with Florence. Rob the Grinder never gets a significant part to play, nor do any of the Toodle family, although they are introduced with great fanfare in the beginning of the book.
Mr. Dombey’s happy ending seems undeserved. He brings nothing but misery to the other characters and has nothing to redeem him. I think he is only rehabilitated in order to show how saintly Florence is. Dombey is similar to Ebenezer Scrooge in a way, but with Scrooge, you follow every step of his conversion by the ghosts, and you buy it. With Dombey, there are any number of points where he could have woken up to the disastrous course his pride was taking him, but he never did. I’d have been completely satisfied with him living out his life in despair.
But all this having been said, there is some beautiful writing in this book, hitting on some real and complex emotional states, and Captain Ned Cuttle is one of Dickens’ most lovable and entertaining characters, as is Toots.
For all that this book has shipping and sea voyages as a background, I would have liked Dickens to take a real try at writing a story, or t least a subplot, about life aboard a ship. But I guess that would have been outside his literary bailiwick.
Mr. Dombey’s happy ending seems undeserved. He brings nothing but misery to the other characters and has nothing to redeem him. I think he is only rehabilitated in order to show how saintly Florence is. Dombey is similar to Ebenezer Scrooge in a way, but with Scrooge, you follow every step of his conversion by the ghosts, and you buy it. With Dombey, there are any number of points where he could have woken up to the disastrous course his pride was taking him, but he never did. I’d have been completely satisfied with him living out his life in despair.
But all this having been said, there is some beautiful writing in this book, hitting on some real and complex emotional states, and Captain Ned Cuttle is one of Dickens’ most lovable and entertaining characters, as is Toots.
For all that this book has shipping and sea voyages as a background, I would have liked Dickens to take a real try at writing a story, or t least a subplot, about life aboard a ship. But I guess that would have been outside his literary bailiwick.
Quite an investment as this is probably the most ‘difficult’ of Dickens’ novels I’ve read. There are definite themes of pride and ambition and the damage they can do. As the story progresses more and more of Dickens’ trademark characters, so often defined by a physical manifestation-the prime example being Mr Carker and his smile.-make their appearance. One of Dickens great villains who dominates every scene he appears in. And as always with Dickens, they are far more interesting than his heroes and heroines. Florence is a particularly example. Of course you’d be a block of concrete if you didn’t feel for her situation and the overarching desire to find a place in her father’s heart, but at least, unlike some of Dickens’ earlier’angels’ she has a flaw. Why does she blame herself? It’s a remarkable observation from Dickens on the psychological issues plaguing abused children. Indeed there are so many fascinating female characters in this novel. Edith, Florence’s proud and damaged stepmother is a magnificent creation and the development of Susan, Florence’s maid from a somewhat waspish, jealous young woman to her most loyal and stout defender.
This is an amazing tale of pride and ambition being in conflict with longing and love. The protagonist Florence Dombey battles with the loss of her dear brother Paul and the lack of affection shown to her by her father. However, whilst being one of Dickens’ darker novels at times, there are also moments of intense, feel-good glowing - most notably at the end of the story with the cathartic change in Mr Dombey’s relationship with his daughter.
There are also dozens of magnificent characters encountered throughout the novel, with my favourite being Captain Cuttle, and other notable figures being Captain Bunsby, Mr Toots, Susan Nipper, James Carker, Sol Gills, Old Mrs Brown, Mrs Pipchin, Mrs Macstinger, Edith and Walter Gay.
This is a novel that will have you howling with laughter at times, and clutching the book in pitiful empathy at others - a bitter story with a poignant and majestic ending.
There are also dozens of magnificent characters encountered throughout the novel, with my favourite being Captain Cuttle, and other notable figures being Captain Bunsby, Mr Toots, Susan Nipper, James Carker, Sol Gills, Old Mrs Brown, Mrs Pipchin, Mrs Macstinger, Edith and Walter Gay.
This is a novel that will have you howling with laughter at times, and clutching the book in pitiful empathy at others - a bitter story with a poignant and majestic ending.