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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Satirical tone used throughout the novel is fun to read, but at the same time allows to reflect more on the problems society had. Truly a novel without heroes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Undeniably one of the best books I've ever read and possibly one of the great books of all time. Thackeray is unparalleled (perhaps only rivaled by Oscar Wilde) in his ability to just about rip your lips off and snatch your wig with his scathing prose, prose that had me laughing out loud through much of this long book. I think that Thackeray may have ruined Dickens for me forever because I don't think I'll ever be able to imagine a nineteenth century London without the sheer wit and disingenuous pomposity of Vanity Fair's extraordinary cast of characters. And what characters they are! Becky Sharp, the poor girl, has had much written about her and having spent 800+ pages with her I'm sure she'd be quite pleased with her legendary reputation in literature. That is how Thackeray does it. His characters are so memorably rendered in their countless petty pursuits and games that we become active participants in Vanity Fair and all of its vices, thereby proving his point--society's endless pursuit of fame, fortune, glamour and intrigue is a timeless and never-ending "fair". The rise and fall of the beautiful and debauched is lamentable but a necessary evil for the goings-on of a modern, capitalist society and so we continue to celebrate the tragicomedies of social climbers and their victims. This book is large but incredibly entertaining and fascinating. Once again, Penguin classics has a wonderful edition with footnotes (very necessary for the understanding of this book in its time). For those readers who are ready to bite off something a little more challenging but incredibly rewarding, "Vanity Fair" is your book! Unforgettable!
Oh, Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair! How you amuse and delight! How you twist and turn! How you oppress and uplift!
It is along time since I last read this book. I think lots of people struggle with classics but this is so beautifully written there is an element of tongue in cheek hunour. The characters are alive with personality the narrative at times get bogged down but it is a great book
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**Did not finish**
I enjoyed what this book was trying to do. The main character was conniving and clever. But oh god it dragged so badly. I checked how many chapters and pages I had left and abandoned it when I realised there was so much to go and so little was going to happen.
I hate DNFing books but after reading some of the reviews of another book I have DNFed, I realised that life is too short to force yourself to read full literature.
I enjoyed what this book was trying to do. The main character was conniving and clever. But oh god it dragged so badly. I checked how many chapters and pages I had left and abandoned it when I realised there was so much to go and so little was going to happen.
I hate DNFing books but after reading some of the reviews of another book I have DNFed, I realised that life is too short to force yourself to read full literature.
At first, I was a bit split on this book as parts of it became rather long winded and seemingly off plot. However, the author gave such gems of insight into human character and the society of his time that I realized what a fascinating book this really is. I would highly recommend especially if you love historical fiction already. Just be prepared to "lightly skim" over some paragraphs or long lists of names, etc!
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced