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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
DNF. I’m not engaged in the story. Might return to this in the future.
I have been reading this book for over half a year, and despite being 3/4 through I think it is time to admit that I'm not going to finish it. I recall finding parts of it quite interesting and well-written, but by now I don't even remember the characters' names and finding out would require reading it again, which I don't think I'll be ready to do for some years now. This is really more of a judgement of myself and not of the book, though. The book tried, I failed it.
A brilliant, brilliant read - one of the best and most-underrated Victorian novels. Although a bleak story, it examines the lives of the urban poor in 1870s London so brilliantly and paints such real portraits its characters that I can't help but adore this book.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
14th book of 2023.
3.5. This is what I wanted from Dickens's Hard Times, funnily enough. In fact, this novel could easily be called Hard Times and not The Nether World. Gissing's chosen title sits more in line with some Dantean vision of those who struggled in late Victorian England to work and support their families. The novel surrounds a number of characters all entwined with one another, all of them trying to make their way in life. I found numerous plot points modern almost and ahead of their time. Gissing writes well, his prose is sturdy and readable. Some of the internal monologues the characters have were brilliant and I found myself highlighting them, particularly that of Clara, who leaves home with the dream of becoming an actress. That being said, the novel is bleak from start to finish and the sense of ruin and desperation reaches the final page. It's hard to see even a glimmer of hope in Gissing's Zola-like world of realism and poverty. I read this for a book club so will hopefully add more thoughts to this review once we've had our discussions. A surprisingly good first read by Gissing for me.
3.5. This is what I wanted from Dickens's Hard Times, funnily enough. In fact, this novel could easily be called Hard Times and not The Nether World. Gissing's chosen title sits more in line with some Dantean vision of those who struggled in late Victorian England to work and support their families. The novel surrounds a number of characters all entwined with one another, all of them trying to make their way in life. I found numerous plot points modern almost and ahead of their time. Gissing writes well, his prose is sturdy and readable. Some of the internal monologues the characters have were brilliant and I found myself highlighting them, particularly that of Clara, who leaves home with the dream of becoming an actress. That being said, the novel is bleak from start to finish and the sense of ruin and desperation reaches the final page. It's hard to see even a glimmer of hope in Gissing's Zola-like world of realism and poverty. I read this for a book club so will hopefully add more thoughts to this review once we've had our discussions. A surprisingly good first read by Gissing for me.
Interesting novel with a lot of class consciousness for it's time
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated