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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Contrary to the Victorian literary heroism, Vanity Fair is a novel without a hero, that depicts satirically an era when people spend most efforts keeping up pretenses of a grandeur life and living above their means. (And I must say we as a society are still plagued by this disease to this day.)
The protagonist Becky Sharp, the daughter of a poor painter and Opera singer, is a ruthless and shameless social climber that marries, charms, and schemes all the way into the upper class circle. But can you really blame her? Born a woman in a time when birth and wealth determine everything while brain and talents matter little, she has learned how to survive ever since a little girl. With Becky in mind, it's also hard to congratulate on the other more virtuous characters' improved circumstances due to some inheritances falling into their lap. Becky's famous statement - "I could be a good woman if I had five thousand pounds a year" - leaves one indignant and then disturbed.
There are no characters without faults in Vanity Fair, and that makes the novel more realistic than its contemporaries.
The protagonist Becky Sharp, the daughter of a poor painter and Opera singer, is a ruthless and shameless social climber that marries, charms, and schemes all the way into the upper class circle. But can you really blame her? Born a woman in a time when birth and wealth determine everything while brain and talents matter little, she has learned how to survive ever since a little girl. With Becky in mind, it's also hard to congratulate on the other more virtuous characters' improved circumstances due to some inheritances falling into their lap. Becky's famous statement - "I could be a good woman if I had five thousand pounds a year" - leaves one indignant and then disturbed.
There are no characters without faults in Vanity Fair, and that makes the novel more realistic than its contemporaries.
Classics don't have to be boring. This was mainly boring and very long-winded. There were parts with a nice pace, but mainly it was just text which you had to get through.
However it gives a representation of the life in those days.
However it gives a representation of the life in those days.
So, the classics I choose to read this year are all about horrible people with no redeeming values whatsoever. I didn't care for this one either. No one was likable at all. I just...I have no other words. This one sucked.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really found Amelia to be so annoying, glad the narrator showcased her naivety and uselessness. Loved Becky and her con artist ways. Didn’t care for Dobbins really because someone that obsessed with Amelia has a screw loose. Also found both George Osbornes boring and unflavorful. Becky for the win.
It didn't really take me two months to read this book; it was a case of first-degree book abandonment on my part, and in reality it took me almost exactly three weeks. At any rate, I'm not going to pretend it was the most enjoyable read I've ever had: I hated all these people. Amelia and Dobbin may be the two most pathetic characters in history, and I hated them most of all. Becky may be a ruthless bitch, but I seriously wanted her to drop-kick them both. The one voice in this book I loved is Thackeray-as-narrator. His breezy, chatty, gossipy delivery as our tour guide through Vanity Fair makes this book a satirical masterpiece. It helps tremendously that I think he hates these people as much as I do. I do felt like I had already met Becky to some extent, in the form of Undine Spragg in Edith Wharton's glorious ironic downer The Custom of the Country, which shares several thematic influences with Vanity Fair.
This book definitely was a novel without a hero ~ everyone had their flaws and that was quite refreshing to read, actually. Amelia annoyed the hell out of me, she was definitely a satirical example of the ideal woman of that era (innocent and morally pure) and Thackeray showed her to be a naïve, stubborn and rather stupid woman whom one should pity for being so frustratingly simple. Rebecca/Becky was a manipulative con artist and was definitely no heroine, but at least she tried to be cunning! Becky really showcased those types of people who are extremely selfish and will do anything to work their way up in the world, only to have her self-centeredness be their downfall. Out of all the characters, I think Dobbin was the closest thing to a "hero" because he kept sacrificing himself to help the ones he loved and kept everything in order. I could go on and on about each of the characters but I'll stop there, haha.
This work is satirical genius! It shows how people function in a structured society, how vain people are, and it can be applied to people of any era ~ I bet everyone's dealt with at least on "Becky Sharp" character in their own life. Vanity Fair is a hilarious and smart read, a little long-winded at times but definitely worth it.
This work is satirical genius! It shows how people function in a structured society, how vain people are, and it can be applied to people of any era ~ I bet everyone's dealt with at least on "Becky Sharp" character in their own life. Vanity Fair is a hilarious and smart read, a little long-winded at times but definitely worth it.
An interesting, and long read. What struck me (and I enjoyed) was the role of the narrator in not only telling the story but framing the metaphor of 'vanity fair' throughout the tale. The development of character was incredibly nuanced.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In my opinion, this book is too long. The narrator is rambling a lot and it’s what makes the book lengthy. I was losing focus in some parts of the story, especially towards the beginning of the second half of the novel. I think it could easily be 200 pages shorter, without losing the essence of the book. At some point, I skimmed an entire chapter and I honestly think I didn’t miss anything there ;) Appart from that, I liked the book. Most of the characters are pretty grey, which means there are not perfectly good nor bad. On the cover plate of the book, it says right away that it’s a story without a hero. Some characters I liked more than others (Amelia and Dobbin) and some were even very annoying at times (Becky and Osborne). But hey, isn’t this novel called Vanity Fair after all. The book takes place over many years, so you really get to know deeply the story of all the main characters. It’s a good satire of English society during the Regency era, one that makes you smile many times over. Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you don’t mind a rambling and lengthy narrative. Because in the middle of that, the story is good. But if you don’t like big books, just skip this one. It would have been a weak 4 stars but for the length. So it’s a solid 3 stars for me.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes