Scan barcode
ketutar's review against another edition
4.0
It is brilliant.
Though... I question Becky's quilt. I don't think she should have lost her reputation or friends. I claim she's innocent, and destroyed by mere gossip and lies. So, her mother was a dancer. Who cares?
Though... I question Becky's quilt. I don't think she should have lost her reputation or friends. I claim she's innocent, and destroyed by mere gossip and lies. So, her mother was a dancer. Who cares?
libellum_aphrodite's review against another edition
1.0
I absolutely do not understand how this book reached beloved classic status. I object not to the story, but the incessant descriptions about nothing - long-winded is too weak an adjective to adequately embody it. To give proper appreciation for Thackeray's satiric perceptiveness, we do get quite the portraits of the deception, manipulation, dishonesty, pettiness, and...well...vanity rampant in the aristocracy of that time. Unfortunately, they are hidden amongst distractions such as 50 page descriptions of everyone seen and every inch traveled on a pleasure tour of Europe. As it was, all reading sessions were inevitably accompanied by small naps, and I have yet to find a book written in 19th century England that I enjoyed reading.
ciaralindner's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ganzfeldstate's review against another edition
4.0
Who doesn't know a Becky Sharp? The social commentary of the book is relevant even now and I loved it. I managed to read around 500 pages in one sitting yesterday!
laz_'s review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cwknudsen's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
annamickreads's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, I hammered out an entire like 300+ pages on a reading binge when I realized I was off work the next day.
"Vanity Fair" is fascinating to me in the vein of Jane Austen, this is above all, a story of domestic trial and error. Our main character, Rebecca "Becky" Sharp, (whose name now may still hold negative cultural connotations aka Becky With The Good Hair) is a poor, basically orphaned governess shamed for being essentially a gold digger who uses her charms and wiles as weapons to get what she wants. She's a fascinating main character especially in contrast with her best friend, Amelia Sedley, who is raised wealthy and exceptionally kind to everyone she meets.
The language was tough, as most classic books are, but more easily understandable than others--less metaphor, more straightforward language. And while I was annoyed by the in-between chapters that focused on what other characters were doing, ultimately the full picture was one of, well, vanity. I think my main takeaway from this book is that despite the insatiable drive for money or status, it's not satisfying even when achieved, and in Becky's case, spirals into more problems.
I look forward to watching the Reese Witherspoon version of this book for the first time since like age 14!!
"Vanity Fair" is fascinating to me in the vein of Jane Austen, this is above all, a story of domestic trial and error. Our main character, Rebecca "Becky" Sharp, (whose name now may still hold negative cultural connotations aka Becky With The Good Hair) is a poor, basically orphaned governess shamed for being essentially a gold digger who uses her charms and wiles as weapons to get what she wants. She's a fascinating main character especially in contrast with her best friend, Amelia Sedley, who is raised wealthy and exceptionally kind to everyone she meets.
The language was tough, as most classic books are, but more easily understandable than others--less metaphor, more straightforward language. And while I was annoyed by the in-between chapters that focused on what other characters were doing, ultimately the full picture was one of, well, vanity. I think my main takeaway from this book is that despite the insatiable drive for money or status, it's not satisfying even when achieved, and in Becky's case, spirals into more problems.
I look forward to watching the Reese Witherspoon version of this book for the first time since like age 14!!