You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
silas_rnold 's review for:
Nicholas Nickleby
by Charles Dickens
“When I speak of home, I speak of the place where in default of a better--those I love are gathered together; and if that place where a gypsy's tent, or a barn, I should call it by the same good name notwithstanding.” - Charles Dickens, The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Nicholas Nickleby, his sister Kate, and their mother Catherine are forced to ask their relative Ralph for help after their father/husband dies. Trouble is, Ralph is a completely selfish businessman and sees this family as an imposition instead of an opportunity. He ships off Nicholas to a less-than-reputable boy's school to work as a teacher for a pittance, and hires out Kate and Catherine for even less.
As Nicholas and Kate come of age, they find themselves in a lot of (mis)adventures forced upon them by their antagonistic relative, and eventually come under the care of some decent, generous people. Then Dickens turns in some of his classic themes, good overcoming evil, the importance of a good marriage (when is standard in this era of writing), and having a happy ending even if it involves a major plot convenience.
My favourite part of this book was Dickens's criticism of the government, particularly with the muffin monopoly early on. I think I'm starting to key in on more of the themes and motifs that Dickens uses, and it helps a lot. I'm warming to Dickens's humour, but his style, and this era of serial writing leaves me wanting. In time, I'll continue down the Dickens path.
Nicholas Nickleby, his sister Kate, and their mother Catherine are forced to ask their relative Ralph for help after their father/husband dies. Trouble is, Ralph is a completely selfish businessman and sees this family as an imposition instead of an opportunity. He ships off Nicholas to a less-than-reputable boy's school to work as a teacher for a pittance, and hires out Kate and Catherine for even less.
As Nicholas and Kate come of age, they find themselves in a lot of (mis)adventures forced upon them by their antagonistic relative, and eventually come under the care of some decent, generous people. Then Dickens turns in some of his classic themes, good overcoming evil, the importance of a good marriage (when is standard in this era of writing), and having a happy ending even if it involves a major plot convenience.
My favourite part of this book was Dickens's criticism of the government, particularly with the muffin monopoly early on. I think I'm starting to key in on more of the themes and motifs that Dickens uses, and it helps a lot. I'm warming to Dickens's humour, but his style, and this era of serial writing leaves me wanting. In time, I'll continue down the Dickens path.