Scan barcode
julleah's review against another edition
This book is super depressing and treats child abuse (physical and emotional) and manipulation like a normal everyday thing. It also has a weird relationship between an adult and minor that isn’t romantic but is strange and unhealthy. I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Classism, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, Child abuse, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Confinement, and Grief
mmefish's review against another edition
What a bore. Pathetic "love" of the main character towards Estella (based on nothing but her looks and coldness) that I could not care less about, unfortunately, becomes the main focus of the story. The beginning was somehow entertaining but it absolutely lost me after part I.
P.S. oh my god, Biddy getsmarried to JOE?! 🤮🤮🤮 And they have children 🤢 Repulsive.
P.S. oh my god, Biddy gets
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Antisemitism
bookerino's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This was a lot funnier than I was expecting it to be. Some people find it to be depressing, but I did not. I really appreciate the self awareness the main character has of his traumatic past and how it affects his current state of mind. But it's always said in a humorous tone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping and Classism
Minor: Mental illness
lazycycle's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Classism, Death, Mental illness, Stalking, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Bullying
sofipitch's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked the first third of the book with Pip as a kid, the child logic of the narration was really entertaining. It's once Pip became an adult the story fell a little flat, it would be painfully long at times, with lots of different characters and plot points going this way and that. The way some things would get resolved too would be boring, two or three times Pip was in a really bad place and then is just magically saved by his friends. Also adult Pip is such a piece of work it really makes you wonder why these people are so kindly devoted to him. The gothic ambiance was really nice in this, I think gothic shit had been out of style in Dickens's time, but I'm glad he chose it for his stories.
I had to read this in 9th grade and I hated it, but then in 10th grade I read Tale of Two Cities and loved it, so I wondered if maybe I would like this book better once I was older. And while I don't hate it, I still don't get why this is one of Dickens' most famous tales, Tale of Two Cities IS much better.
I had to read this in 9th grade and I hated it, but then in 10th grade I read Tale of Two Cities and loved it, so I wondered if maybe I would like this book better once I was older. And while I don't hate it, I still don't get why this is one of Dickens' most famous tales, Tale of Two Cities IS much better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Physical abuse, and Death
Minor: Racial slurs
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I decided to read this, I was skeptical. It's a little intimidating to pick up a 575 page whopper, especially a classic, because I was expecting purple prose and a tedious plot. But those judgements were completely wrong! I loved this book so much!
Every character that is introduced is, in some form or fashion, integral to the plot. Even the ones that aren't named (such as Trabb's boy and Aged Parent). All of the characters have flaws and virtues, and there is great contrast between the characters who embrace change and those who resist it. I also liked that every character's arc was tied up by the end of the novel.
I was also surprised to see that Dickens was class conscious and interested in social justice reform! I, again, expected that a nearly 200 year old book would be so sympathetic to less fortunate memeber of society. In addition, I appreciated that there was a conversation about how education, elocution, and fashion all play a role in society's treatment and expectations of a person. It was a pleasant surprise to connect so much with Dickens' social/political views!
In addition to these comparisons of characters individually, it was enjoyable to see how these differences play out when characters are in the same scene together, as well as how each setting affected the way a character felt and acted.
My other favorite aspect was that the main male characters were portrayed as being both emotionally vulnerable and incredibly loving of their friends and family. Male characters having close friendships, male characters being allowed to cry, male characters being allowed to nurse a friend back to health, and male characters being allowed to show love and affection was so refreshing! I can't think of a single contemporary book, show, or movie I've seen recently that portrays that.
Every character that is introduced is, in some form or fashion, integral to the plot. Even the ones that aren't named (such as Trabb's boy and Aged Parent). All of the characters have flaws and virtues, and there is great contrast between the characters who embrace change and those who resist it. I also liked that every character's arc was tied up by the end of the novel.
I was also surprised to see that Dickens was class conscious and interested in social justice reform! I, again, expected that a nearly 200 year old book would be so sympathetic to less fortunate memeber of society. In addition, I appreciated that there was a conversation about how education, elocution, and fashion all play a role in society's treatment and expectations of a person. It was a pleasant surprise to connect so much with Dickens' social/political views!
In addition to these comparisons of characters individually, it was enjoyable to see how these differences play out when characters are in the same scene together, as well as how each setting affected the way a character felt and acted.
My other favorite aspect was that the main male characters were portrayed as being both emotionally vulnerable and incredibly loving of their friends and family. Male characters having close friendships, male characters being allowed to cry, male characters being allowed to nurse a friend back to health, and male characters being allowed to show love and affection was so refreshing! I can't think of a single contemporary book, show, or movie I've seen recently that portrays that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Violence
More...