emotional funny reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

My father is a devotee of Charles Dickens. Every year of my childhood we would drive to Florida for the Easter break and listen to audiobooks of Bleak House, Great Expectations, and David Copperfield. Perhaps I have too many fond childhood memories to accurately assess these works today. I can certainly find fault in the tidy way the plot is wrapped up at the end, as well as the use of female characters to serve only as good or bad angels in the life of the male protagonist. Still, I continue to adore these works, and this is a particular favorite. No one writes memorable characters the way that Dickens does.

5/5 stars

I think this was the first book I ever read and as such it will always keep a special place in my heart. I remember being entranced by the whole story and could not put it down.
challenging funny lighthearted reflective 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: Yes
funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Definitely one of Dickens's best, although not quite on the level of Bleak House, in my opinion. It's full of wonderful characters--especially the Micawbers and Aunt Betsey--and expertly mixes humor, joy, and pathos (I laughed aloud and cried). The first part, dealing with David's childhood, is especially strong; it gives the child's point of view and state of mind vividly and really captures what memory feels like. The end is a bit weaker, but it's still a great book.
funny reflective 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
challenging emotional reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
reflective 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: No
adventurous emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No