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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
Oliver is an orphan who gets involved with some criminals and ends up in a life of poverty and crime in 1800s London.
This is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that I think most people have heard about. It is on my TBR list of "100 Epic Reads of A Lifetime." I actually think that Dickens writing is more approachable than some of the other classic writers (looking at you James Joyce). There were a lot of points where the story gets bogged down and is very boring, but for the most part I was able to stay focused and knew what was going on. Great Expectations is still my favorite Dickens novel
This is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that I think most people have heard about. It is on my TBR list of "100 Epic Reads of A Lifetime." I actually think that Dickens writing is more approachable than some of the other classic writers (looking at you James Joyce). There were a lot of points where the story gets bogged down and is very boring, but for the most part I was able to stay focused and knew what was going on. Great Expectations is still my favorite Dickens novel
I expected a bit more plot from the book for some reason but it meandered quite a bit. It shifts between all these characters and is less so about Oliver than everything surrounding him. The exploration of class in London during this time was pretty interesting and highlighted the effects of urbanization for instance. The book fell flat for me from the middle onwards and the ending was slightly predictable. I think it’s gonna be an interesting one to analyse further but didn’t love it.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved this. It was obviously devastating but also unexpectedly funny and charming.
All the characters were full of so much life and personality I simply don't believe they are fictional. The writing was absolutely beautiful.
I alternated between physical and audio, and both formats were wonderful.
The overarching theme was of course class differences and how circumstances of birth can set the course of a life. It would be nice to think this is less true now but I think the assertions are largely still applicable today.
The only real issue I had was the racism, sexism, and ableism throughout the book. I understand it is a product of its time but it is still worth noting they are present and, at times, overwhelming.
"My heart is set, as firmly as ever heart of man was set on woman. I have no thought, no view, no hope, in life beyond her; and if you oppose me in this great stake, you take my peace and happiness in your hands, and cast them to the wind."
"Women can always put things in fewest words. Except when it's blowing up; and then they lengthens it out."
"Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more questions of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine."
All the characters were full of so much life and personality I simply don't believe they are fictional. The writing was absolutely beautiful.
I alternated between physical and audio, and both formats were wonderful.
The overarching theme was of course class differences and how circumstances of birth can set the course of a life. It would be nice to think this is less true now but I think the assertions are largely still applicable today.
The only real issue I had was the racism, sexism, and ableism throughout the book. I understand it is a product of its time but it is still worth noting they are present and, at times, overwhelming.
"My heart is set, as firmly as ever heart of man was set on woman. I have no thought, no view, no hope, in life beyond her; and if you oppose me in this great stake, you take my peace and happiness in your hands, and cast them to the wind."
"Women can always put things in fewest words. Except when it's blowing up; and then they lengthens it out."
"Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more questions of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine."
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Mr Dickens is yet to really impress me. I read this during exam season and as an audiobook so this was a smidge choppy BUT BUT BUT ! The issue is that I felt like there were so many characters and deviations from the narrative. The ending was satisfactory but honestly ... I feel the novel dragged, I think the antisemetic characterisation of Fagin flattens his character and I think Oliver Twist himself lacks a depth or a dimensionality that sure functions for whatever allegories DIckens may have set up here that I missed but...
At the base of it... I thought the beginning and end of the novel are its saving grace. The midsection (most of it)... is lacking.
At the base of it... I thought the beginning and end of the novel are its saving grace. The midsection (most of it)... is lacking.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hmm...never reviewed Oliver Twist? I find that kind of strange. It was one of the first classics I've ever read...maybe the first. Anyway, I think I read this kiddy version of it. You know, with pictures and everything? Yeah...so maybe that doesn't count. But I guess I got the feel of it.
You know the drill: orphan boy that nobody wants. His dead mother(obviously) has a mysterious past. And because of this "past", people are out to get him. And on and on. Maybe I should read the REAL version. Because in the kiddy version I had, it never said that Nancy was a prostitute. Wow
You know the drill: orphan boy that nobody wants. His dead mother(obviously) has a mysterious past. And because of this "past", people are out to get him. And on and on. Maybe I should read the REAL version. Because in the kiddy version I had, it never said that Nancy was a prostitute. Wow