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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I think the older I get, the more I appreciate Dickens. His characters seem wildly entertaining, preposterous, and larger than life, I think, to a kid; but when you begin to see something of the world, you begin to recognize, "Oh my word. This absurdity is real. I know Mrs. Nickleby!" Greatly enjoyed it. :) Especially the Mantalinis, Newman Noggs, and Kate.
dark
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide, Sexual harassment
This was a joy--perfect summer reading. Some parts are riotously funny--The Infant Phenomenon, Dickens' takedown of 19th Century theater, Mrs Nickleby's unerring pride in a madman's amorous advances--and unlike [b:The Pickwick Papers|229432|The Pickwick Papers|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1360795072s/229432.jpg|3315230] there's actually a plot. As one might expect, my favorite moments of high drama involved Nicholas taking his fists to the faces of horrible schoolmasters and creepy stalkers. It's also interesting to see how Dickens has already started developing weightier themes that he'll go on to wield to greater effect in [b:Bleak House|31242|Bleak House|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1280113147s/31242.jpg|2960365], [b:A Christmas Carol|5326|A Christmas Carol|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406512317s/5326.jpg|3097440] and others. Though he manages to stave off sentimentality for a while--there are some hilarious false starts to the romance plot, for example--it's all tied up too nicely what with the convenient deaths, inheritances, not to mention poor Smike. Overall, a fun romp and a quick read for an 800 page book.
Some interesting characters in this one, but the story meanders quite a bit, even by Dickensian standards. I do appreciate that Nicholas is less passive than the usual MMC. I wish Kate's storyline was more fleshed out in the latter part of the book.
challenging
dark
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This must be the funniest classic I've ever read. I've chuckled a lot while reading this, and sometimes even laughed out loud. Dickens is a master of criticizing society in a humorous and lighthearted way. Lots of irony, sarcasm, all the good stuff. Some of the characters are outrageously ridiculous. And there are LOTS of characters and a lot of random stuff happens in the book, it doesn't really have a plot in a sense, but is more of a description of some random dude's life in 19th century Britain.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide
Moderate: Sexual assault
Not quite as good as David Copperfield but very enjoyable and just as full of wonderful characters.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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