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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘Nicholas Nickleby’ is my favorite Dickens, and one of the very few books I have read four or five times over the years. As everyone points out, it is a social satire, but it is the comic brilliance that draws me in every time. The way Dickens lays bare human foibles and weaknesses with the gentlest turn of phrase is just pure genius.
“What a situation!' cried Miss Squeers; '...What is the reason that men fall in love with me, whether I like it or not, and desert their chosen intendeds for my sake?'
'Because they can't help it, miss,' replied the girl; 'the reason's plain.' (If Miss Squeers were the reason, it was very plain.)”
This time I decided to listen to the audiobook version narrated by Simon Vance, and was blown away by the performance. I couldn't believe his ability to make every one of the many characters sound distinctly different and to give them so much life. Of course, as it was originally published and read in monthly parts in magazine style, I feel it is a little overlong and appears to have been drawn out to respond to audience demands. It is, however, still a masterpiece.
“What a situation!' cried Miss Squeers; '...What is the reason that men fall in love with me, whether I like it or not, and desert their chosen intendeds for my sake?'
'Because they can't help it, miss,' replied the girl; 'the reason's plain.' (If Miss Squeers were the reason, it was very plain.)”
This time I decided to listen to the audiobook version narrated by Simon Vance, and was blown away by the performance. I couldn't believe his ability to make every one of the many characters sound distinctly different and to give them so much life. Of course, as it was originally published and read in monthly parts in magazine style, I feel it is a little overlong and appears to have been drawn out to respond to audience demands. It is, however, still a masterpiece.
I didn't enjoy this as much as some of Dickens' later novels, but there were many moments of pure hilarity.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dickens hates rich people who take advantage of the poor. I, too, hate rich people who take advantage of the poor. It was always gonna work out in the end for me and Nicholas Nickleby.
This book was just hard for me to get into. This is a book I’d be willing to return to later.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Drags on a little at times, like many serialised novels of the time, but great character work, both heroes and villains.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment