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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Would have given 6 stars. A truly absorbing and layerd story of a heart of gold, human nature, vice and virtue.
I would fight this author in a McDonald's parking lot.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
He wandered over them again. He had called them into view, and it was not easy to replace the shroud that had so long concealed them. There were the faces of friends, and foes, and of many that had been almost strangers peering intrusively from the crowd; there were the faces of young and blooming girls that were now old women; there were others that the grave had changed to ghastly tropies of death, but which the mind, superior to its power, still dressed in their old freshness and beauty, calling back the lustre of the eyes, the brightness of the smile, the beaming of the soul through its mask of clay, and whispering of beauty beyond the tomb, changed but to be heightened, and taken from earth only to be set up as a light, to shed a soft and gentle glow upon the path to Heaven.
In a paroxyms of fear, the boy closed the book, and thrust it from him. Then, falling upon his knees, he prayed Heaven to spare him from such deeds; and rather to will that he should die at once than be reserved for crimes, so fearful and appalling. By degrees, he grew more calm, and besought, in a low and broken voice, that he might be rescued from his present dangers; and that if any aid were to be raised up for a poor outcast boy who had never known the love of friends or kindred, it might come to him now, when, desolate and deserted, he stood alone in the midst of wickedness and guilt.
Alas! How few of Nature's faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty! The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings of the world, change them as they change hearst; and it is only when those passions sleep,and have lost their hold for ever, taht the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven's surface clear. It is a common thing for the countenances of the dead, even in that fixed and rigid state, to subside into the long-forgotten expression of sleeping infancy, and settle into the very look of early life; so clam, so peaceful, do they grow again, taht those who knew them in their happy childhood, kneel by the coffin's side in awe, and see the Angel even upon earth.
At length, he began, by slow degrees, to get better, and to be able to say sometimes, in a few teraful words, how deeply he felt the goodness of the two sweet ladies, and how ardently he hoped that when he grew strong and well again, he could do something to show his gratitude; only something which would let them see the love and duty with which his breast was full; something, however slight, which would prove to them that their gentle kindness had not been cast away.
Who can describe the pleausre and delight, the peace of mind and soft tranquility, the sickly boy felt in the balmy air, and among the green hills and rich woods, of an inland village! Who can tell how scenes of peace and quietude sink into the minds of pain-worn dwellers in close and noisy places, and carry their own freshness, deep into their jaded hearts!
The poor people were so neat and clean, and knelt so reverently in prayer, that it seemed a pleasure, not a tedious duty, their assembling there together; and though the singing might be rude, it was real, and sounded more musical (to Oliver's ears at least) that any he had ever heard in church before.
Oh! the suspense, the fearful, actue suspense, of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance! Oh! the racking thoughts that crowd upon the mind, and make the heart beat violently, and the breath come think, by the force of the images they conjure up before it; the desperate anxiety to be doing something to relieve the pain, or lessen the danger, which we hae no power to alleviate; the sinking of soul and spiirit, which the sad remembrance of our hopelessness produces; what tortures can equal these; what reflections or endeavours can, in the full tide and fever of the time, allay them!
Crying opens the lungs, washes the countenance, exercises the eyes, and softens down the temper, said Mr Bumble. So cry away.
Your haughty religious people would have held their heads up to see me as I am tonight, and preached of flames and vengeance", cried the girl. "Oh, dear lady, why ar'n't those who claim to be God's own folks as gentle and as kind to use poor wretches as you, who, having youth, and beaty, and all that they have lost, might be a little proud instead of so much humbler?"
there were scores of faces at the doors and windows that he knew quite well -- there was nearly everything as if he had left it but yesterday, and all his recent life had been but a happy dream. But it was pure, earnest, joyful reality.
Bleak, dark and piercing cold, it was a night for the well-housed and fed to draw round the bright fire and thank God they were at home; and for the homeless, starving wretch to lay him down and die. Many hunger-worn outcasts close their eyes in our bare streets, at such times, who, let their crimes have been what they may, can hardly open them in a more bitter world.
Oh! if when we oppress and grind our fellow-creatuers, we bestowed but one thought on the dark evidences of human error, which, like dense and heavy clouds, are rising, slowly it is true, but not less surely, to Heaven, to pour their after-vengeance on our heads; if we heard but one instant, in imagination, the deep testimony of dead men's voices, which no power can stifle, and no pride shut out; where would be the injury and injustice, the suffering, misery, cruelty, and wrong, that each day's life brings with it!
Hush! said Mrs Maylie, laying her hand on Oliver's head. "You think like a child, poor boy. But you teach me my duty, notwithstanding. I had forgotten it for a moment, Oliver, but I hope I may be pardoned, for I am old, and have seen enough of illness and death to know the pain they leave to those behind. I have seen enough, too, to know that it is not always the youngest and best who are sapred tothose that love them; but this should give us comfort in our sorrow; for Heaven is just; and such things teach us, impressively, that there is a brigther world than this; and that the pasae to it is speedy. God's will be done! I lover her; and He alone knows how well!
Such is the influence which the condition of our own thoughts, exercises, even over the appearance of external objects. Men who look on nature, and their fellow-men, and cry that all is dark and gloomy, anre in the right, but the sombre colours are reflections of their own jaundiced eyes and hearts. The real hues are delicate, and need a clearer vision.
I have said that they were truly happy; and without strong affection and humanity of heart, and gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy, and whose great attribute is Benevolence to all things that breathe, happiness can never be attained.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Having read Tale off Two Cities, and greatly enjoyed it, this is my second Dickens novel and unfortunately this was quite a step down for me. The last third of the book is quite enjoyable as everything comes together but even then the number of coincidences make the story harder to believe. I didn't particularly vibe with any of the characters finding them just a little flat except for a couple, Nancy being the standout character I would say. The overall plot of the story is enjoyable though, so I didn't find it boring or bad to read. I would give it a solid 3.5 rating but the striking level of antismetism through the first half of the book, which drew critisicm even when first published, was off-putting and it spoiled my enjoyment somewhat.
Audiobook narration was annoying. Will try again in print!