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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
A funny, episodic, novel with great characters and scenes. It's overlong and would be cut by at least a quarter nowadays. I immersed myself in it over the Christmas period and was well-rewarded. If you have time, it's worth the effort.
I did not expect to give this classic 5 stars because it was quite long, but I couldn't resist! I was excited to read this book since the March sisters in "Little Women" referenced it and even had a Pickwick Club of their own.
I would like to take a moment, if you don't mind, to honor the covers of my 40-year-old book, who had fallen off over the course of this unexpectedly long yet joyous journey. They faithfully served their purpose for as long as they did and I could not continue my review without honoring them. May they rest in peace.
Being Dickens' first novel, I am extremely impressed with the characters and their development, the plot, and the style of storytelling he implements throughout the book. Although the women (especially the younger ones) were too fragile and dramatic for my liking, Dickens created memorable and entertaining characters that embark on pretty epic adventures.
Mr. Pickwick is a jolly, old fellow who is the head and founder of the Pickwick Club and has many adventures, both perilous and exciting, with his three faithful companions Mr. Winkle, Mr. Snodgrass, and Mr. Tupman. But, we cannot forget to mention the good name of Sam Weller, Mr. Pickwick's faithful and trusty servant and friend, who is my favorite character and a pleasure to meet. Although Mr. Pickwick is surrounded by friends like Mr. Wardle and his family, Mr. Perked the lawyer, and others, it would not be a good story if there were no rascals like Mr. Jingle and Job Trotter and the greedy duo, Mr. Dodson and Mr. Fogg. From going to jail, to listening to incredible and entertaining stories from all sorts of people, to arranging and attending weddings, Mr. Pickwick has a life worth mentioning and sharing. I am grateful to have been able to have the opportunity of reading his capital adventures. I hope you feel the same way.
Happy Reading!
I would like to take a moment, if you don't mind, to honor the covers of my 40-year-old book, who had fallen off over the course of this unexpectedly long yet joyous journey. They faithfully served their purpose for as long as they did and I could not continue my review without honoring them. May they rest in peace.
Being Dickens' first novel, I am extremely impressed with the characters and their development, the plot, and the style of storytelling he implements throughout the book. Although the women (especially the younger ones) were too fragile and dramatic for my liking, Dickens created memorable and entertaining characters that embark on pretty epic adventures.
Mr. Pickwick is a jolly, old fellow who is the head and founder of the Pickwick Club and has many adventures, both perilous and exciting, with his three faithful companions Mr. Winkle, Mr. Snodgrass, and Mr. Tupman. But, we cannot forget to mention the good name of Sam Weller, Mr. Pickwick's faithful and trusty servant and friend, who is my favorite character and a pleasure to meet. Although Mr. Pickwick is surrounded by friends like Mr. Wardle and his family, Mr. Perked the lawyer, and others, it would not be a good story if there were no rascals like Mr. Jingle and Job Trotter and the greedy duo, Mr. Dodson and Mr. Fogg. From going to jail, to listening to incredible and entertaining stories from all sorts of people, to arranging and attending weddings, Mr. Pickwick has a life worth mentioning and sharing. I am grateful to have been able to have the opportunity of reading his capital adventures. I hope you feel the same way.
Happy Reading!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Hilarious, the cast of characters is wild and eccentric. Enjoyed it more than other Dickens works. Wordy and pacing was off but hey, when don’t get a fixed amount of money as payment, you have to milk it somehow.
What an absolute joy this book is. It has no real plot, what there is, it is safe to say…. is ridiculous and silly. The characters are delightful and simple and very funny. This is early Dickens and Dickens at his most gentle. I am bereft to have finished it and have no idea why I haven’t read it before. It maybe my favourite Dickens, even beating Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities.
I agree with other reviewers that there are no realistic women characters, but it is a book about a very gentlemanly gentleman’s club in Dickens days. Dickens was young, I can totally forgive him.
If you need an antidote to miserable news articles, the strains of life or midwinter bleakness… this is the book for you! Trust me. Even if you don’t like Dickens give this one a go. To be honest it was wonderful not to have a serious moral message in the book and just indulge myself with happiness, that said, there is an undercurrent of a code to live by… kindness and lack of judgment.
If you have read it did it bring you joy? Did you shed a tear at the end at saying goodbye to Mr Pickwick
I agree with other reviewers that there are no realistic women characters, but it is a book about a very gentlemanly gentleman’s club in Dickens days. Dickens was young, I can totally forgive him.
If you need an antidote to miserable news articles, the strains of life or midwinter bleakness… this is the book for you! Trust me. Even if you don’t like Dickens give this one a go. To be honest it was wonderful not to have a serious moral message in the book and just indulge myself with happiness, that said, there is an undercurrent of a code to live by… kindness and lack of judgment.
If you have read it did it bring you joy? Did you shed a tear at the end at saying goodbye to Mr Pickwick
very enjoyable - great fun, great characters, light story. a good book to lose yourself in
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
What a delightful book! I laughed out loud many times! This particular edition provides excellent footnotes that do a great job of explaining English terms and society from that period. Wonderful read!
Ok, so I didn't really finish it. I got 3/4 of the way through the book and completely lost interest. It started out funny, but, like Don Quixote, just seemed to be unnecessarily long.