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banned_book's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I never thought Charles Dickens could fail me, but unfortunately, his usual spectrum of character nuance was reduced down to:
Good or Evil
Male or Female
Rich or Poor
Jewish or Not Jewish
The happenstances I adored in the past served as convenient bandaids rather than thematic threads tying beginning to end. Scene transitions felt much the same.
My disappointment is acute and unwelcome. Normally I'd turn to a well-trusted author to lick my wounds, but... where to go when your favorite is also the culprit?
Good or Evil
Male or Female
Rich or Poor
Jewish or Not Jewish
The happenstances I adored in the past served as convenient bandaids rather than thematic threads tying beginning to end. Scene transitions felt much the same.
My disappointment is acute and unwelcome. Normally I'd turn to a well-trusted author to lick my wounds, but... where to go when your favorite is also the culprit?
vexillia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
spaceisavacuum's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Here then, is what will be the first Charles Dickens book I’ve acquainted myself with. I’m not much inclined to read this author, while he is diffuse, wasn’t suspenseful… though I had thought, after a long dispensation of conspiracy, since Oliver was nowhere to he found… he had taken up a happy abode with Mrs. Maylie, and Rose and company, he had found his forever home… like a stray dog taken in from the cold. What occurred between these happenings, a cunning murder who strikes a ghastly figure, hangs himself in flight. But Oliver Twist was too pure and refined and delicate in sensibilities too, and they had tried to make a thief out of him, had wanted to make him a thief. Essentially, Oliver had a job offer, and then because that was dishonest.. afterall, petty larceny can bring a crook to Tyburn rope as well as murder can!
The archetype of this boy is not peculiar, in fact there are boys and girls who mean well, but they ask for too much, or they get in the way, and inevitably arouse contention with their colleagues; so they are barred from an opportunity. And behind the scenes they could be doing their work diligently, while behind their back gossip happens at the water cooler. And those quidnuncs are the result of deceit; well, everybody’d be happier if Oliver Twist was gone, for his vices, or his “needs” were incompatible with their needs, they’d sneer at him in mirth, dump him on someone else… but Oliver, remains upstanding, and dares not rejoice in criminal activities… and thereby, is rewarded with a good & caring family.
“still, I do mean ro say, and do say distinctly, that is is the invariable practice of many mighty philosophers, in carrying out their theories, to evince great wisdom and foresight in providing against every possible contingency which can be suppose at all likely to affect themselves. Thus, to do a great right, you may do a little wrong: and you may game any means which the end to be attained will justify; the amount of the right, or the amount of the wrong, or indeed the distinction between the two, being left entirely to the philosopher concerned, to be settled and determined by his clear, comprehensive, and impartial view of his own particular case.”
I am not jealous of people with money, I’m not even jealous of their culture, but the way they dress and act. Why do English people brag about drinking coffee? ☕️ Dickens writes in the preface, “There are people of so refined and delicate a nature, that they cannot bear the contemplation of such horrors.” The class division is so obvious in gentrified neighborhoods not a few blocks away in poor neighborhoods, and we have to share the space with each-other. I quite like Victor Hugo more than I do Dickens, I sympathize.. ¡Viva la resistance! 🏴☠️ Dickens is subtle though, Hugo is more suspenseful, I think. But hungry people are judged harshly for what they can’t help being, a snob’s a snob, but beggars can’t be choosers.
The archetype of this boy is not peculiar, in fact there are boys and girls who mean well, but they ask for too much, or they get in the way, and inevitably arouse contention with their colleagues; so they are barred from an opportunity. And behind the scenes they could be doing their work diligently, while behind their back gossip happens at the water cooler. And those quidnuncs are the result of deceit; well, everybody’d be happier if Oliver Twist was gone, for his vices, or his “needs” were incompatible with their needs, they’d sneer at him in mirth, dump him on someone else… but Oliver, remains upstanding, and dares not rejoice in criminal activities… and thereby, is rewarded with a good & caring family.
“still, I do mean ro say, and do say distinctly, that is is the invariable practice of many mighty philosophers, in carrying out their theories, to evince great wisdom and foresight in providing against every possible contingency which can be suppose at all likely to affect themselves. Thus, to do a great right, you may do a little wrong: and you may game any means which the end to be attained will justify; the amount of the right, or the amount of the wrong, or indeed the distinction between the two, being left entirely to the philosopher concerned, to be settled and determined by his clear, comprehensive, and impartial view of his own particular case.”
I am not jealous of people with money, I’m not even jealous of their culture, but the way they dress and act. Why do English people brag about drinking coffee? ☕️ Dickens writes in the preface, “There are people of so refined and delicate a nature, that they cannot bear the contemplation of such horrors.” The class division is so obvious in gentrified neighborhoods not a few blocks away in poor neighborhoods, and we have to share the space with each-other. I quite like Victor Hugo more than I do Dickens, I sympathize.. ¡Viva la resistance! 🏴☠️ Dickens is subtle though, Hugo is more suspenseful, I think. But hungry people are judged harshly for what they can’t help being, a snob’s a snob, but beggars can’t be choosers.
rise's review against another edition
3.0
Waktu pertama baca SD kelas 5 dan sebenarnya agak kurang kebayang Inggris jama segitu itu bagaimana. Sempat baca ulang pas awal-awal kuliah, udah lebih kebayang dan kayaknya ngebawa isu yang lebih besar ketimbang cuma jadi cerita hidupnya si Oliver.
yukafujita's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
alex_writer's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
conanmm's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gordonk's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who grew up watching the 1968 movie it was only a matter of time until I checked out the source material. The story gave me a lot of what I expected it to as seen in the movie but there are also a lot of long winded descriptions about people and places that are only slightly relevant. One thing that struck me was how Fagin comes across as the main villain of the piece with Bill Sikes playing second fiddle. Bill is a lot less intimidating in his literary form and Fagin much more of a threat. The story itself gives us a lot more information on Oliver’s parentage and long winded though it may be it is definitely an interesting read for fans of the movie. No singing and dancing here just a cold and dingy look at the dog eat dog life of a pauper in Victorian London!
hawrin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
akalgesch's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0