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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I'm not going to say this wasn't a slog. I listened on audio (39 sweet, sweet hours) and I think that's what kept me going as I was stuck in lab pipetting through some sections. I liked how Thackeray placed himself (or at least an "author voice") in the novel and that there was no hero in the book. There isn't even that much to say because it almost is too long? Idk
As I said in the update, imagining Reese Witherspoon as Becky, destroying everyone around her, is really what saved the book for me. I still haven't seen the movie, but that is immaculate casting.
As I said in the update, imagining Reese Witherspoon as Becky, destroying everyone around her, is really what saved the book for me. I still haven't seen the movie, but that is immaculate casting.
Dobbin has my heart and as for Becky who are we to judge, she had only her natural gifts to survive and no one to turn her away from using her dazzling power, it was a shame Rawdon wasn't a little stronger then maybe things could have been smoother for her. Was she really any worse than the men around her paying court? It's a thoughly enjoyable read.
lighthearted
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
I admit that maybe I have not understood this novel because English is not my first language and reading classics in the original can be a bit problematic for me. But, I know that not everyone should like something just because it is a classic and my opinion doesn't necessarily matter so if you read this, take it with a pinch of salt:). This did not get me at all. I barely finished it, if I can say that. I just feel sorry that I didn't read the translation of this. Maybe my opinion would have been different. But I guess you can't have everything in life, and I know I don't want to read this again:))
¡Lo terminé! Fue una larga experiencia de lectura pero no puedo quejarme: me gustó muchísimo y se va a mis favoritos. En cuanto pueda le hago la reseña más digna posible.
I highly recommend reading the abridged version of Vanity Fair. There is way too much unnecessary information in this book. It took me six weeks to read this book because there was so much to sift through in order to get to the actual story. I read it during my breaks at work because it had no appeal to me, so I just could not get into it enough to read at home. I find that classics are very hit and miss and this was definitely a miss. Honestly, I don't even see the historical value in this book. I am glad that I am done it, but I strongly suggest not reading this if you do not have to. It does not have worth today.
I did not like Becky Sharp. I found that all she did was use people for her own benefit and showed no remorse. It was easy not to like her. Amelia, although timid, at least holds her own. She stays true to herself and absolutely dotes on her little boy. Jos is just such a lazy bafoon. I did not care what happened to him. I felt really bad for Dobbin, who seemed to get treated pretty poorly by everyone in the story. I wish he could have experienced more happiness. I'm glad George left the book when he did because I was beginning to really not like him. It is easy to see why this book is called Vanity Fair. Thackeray does a great job of creating very vain characters for his Fair.
I found the overall story fell flat. The conclusion seemed rushed and slapped together. Like, Thackeray needed to end the book and bam! it was now done. I'm not sure exactly which message he wanted to send to his readers because of his constant ranting and lack of conclusion.
Yes, Thackeray rants, a lot! He is constantly going on about the characters, the setting, the world, life, and talking to the reader. He keeps saying what the reader wants, what they don't want, etc. Dude, just leave me out of it and write a story!
I did not like Becky Sharp. I found that all she did was use people for her own benefit and showed no remorse. It was easy not to like her. Amelia, although timid, at least holds her own. She stays true to herself and absolutely dotes on her little boy. Jos is just such a lazy bafoon. I did not care what happened to him. I felt really bad for Dobbin, who seemed to get treated pretty poorly by everyone in the story. I wish he could have experienced more happiness. I'm glad George left the book when he did because I was beginning to really not like him. It is easy to see why this book is called Vanity Fair. Thackeray does a great job of creating very vain characters for his Fair.
I found the overall story fell flat. The conclusion seemed rushed and slapped together. Like, Thackeray needed to end the book and bam! it was now done. I'm not sure exactly which message he wanted to send to his readers because of his constant ranting and lack of conclusion.
Yes, Thackeray rants, a lot! He is constantly going on about the characters, the setting, the world, life, and talking to the reader. He keeps saying what the reader wants, what they don't want, etc. Dude, just leave me out of it and write a story!
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I give this book about 3.5 stars. I would have bumped it up to at least 4 stars, but it was just way too long for me. This book contains the lifetimes of many characters and spans so many years, that it is almost impossible to rate and review this book. As with someone's life story, there were interesting parts of this story and very dull ones. If the movements and histories of some of the "lesser" characters were omitted, and we just focused on Becky and those immediately around her, it would be a much quicker book. I also didn't really like ANY of the characters, so it made it harder to read. Becky was a sly and cunning, but very smart character. Quick on her feet and a wonderful actress, she was able to read everyone around her and use them for whatever they could give her. She knew how to work everyone and ingratiate herself to them. She was the master. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Amelia was way too trusting, meek and pathetic. I felt bad for her, but at the same time got a little tired of reading about her (until the end).
I did enjoy the narrator who was snarky and had an almost joking tone. That really added lightness to the whole novel.
I definitely want to see a film adaptation, because I think that might flow better because of its short length.
I did enjoy the narrator who was snarky and had an almost joking tone. That really added lightness to the whole novel.
I definitely want to see a film adaptation, because I think that might flow better because of its short length.