Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
funny
slow-paced
This novel is a brilliant portrayal and satire of the 19th century English social climbing society, labeled Vanity Fair by Thackeray (a reference to Bunyan's "The Pilgram's Progress"). As Thackeray describes, this is a story without a hero as it revolves around the adult lives of two women diametrically opposite in personality: Ms. Becky Sharp, a conniving, intelligent and multi-talented social climber; and Amelia Sedley, a sweet-tempered, devoted and placid woman. At the novels onset, both women leave their boarding school to face the world. Amelia returns to her once wealthy family, now somewhat poverty-stricken, and Becky is to become the governess for the baronet Sir Pitt Crawley's children. Both women marry without the consent of their husband's families, but Becky marries out of hopes for title, whereas Amelia marries out of love. Becky's never-ending efforts to become "a respectable lady" do lead her into the highest ranks of polite society, but the fickle nature of Vanity Fair has no loyality and Becky eventually becomes as destitute as those she once looked down upon. Amelia, on the other hand, loses her husband at the Battle of Waterloo and clings to her family and son during her many years of mourning. Yet, neither her poverty nor her sad semblance of life affect her kindness and charity towards others. The ending has some moral justice but, because there are no heroes in this tale, the conclusion could appear unjust for those who have been wronged; just one of the myriad reasons why involving oneself in the affairs of Vanity Fair is not only unnecessary but pernicious. Moral: be happy with your lot in life and be wary of over-extending your fortune through deceit. I thoroughly enjoyed this witty tale. And as mentioned in the preface to Jane Eyre: Thackeray is a genius of social observation.
I finally finished this book. At times, I didn't think it would happen. There were some parts of this book that I thought were funny and entertaining. Other parts seemed to drag on. I think it should've been broken up to smaller books, instead of one massive book. There were too many characters to remember.
Vanity Fair is a good novel overall. Character development is good -especially regarding Becky-, plot is quite well planned. Writing is excellent, with a good use of language and irony. BUT it's too long. Way too long. Like 'they could spare me 400 pages' long. I literally skimmed through and skipped entire pages. I get it, the longer a novel was, the more money ou got from it back in the XIX century, but it feels like too much nowadays.
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not as torturous as "Anna Karenina", but it's a close call.
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thackeray may not have been paid by the word, but it sure felt like he was!