stwriter92 's review for:

The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

5.0

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This book should not have taken me this long to read, honestly. You must be wondering why I gave five stars to a book that took me just over three years to finish. Let me preface it by saying that I was taking my father's advice on how to read this book. It's his favorite (and his father's favorite before him; I actually got my copy from my grandfather with a very sweet note written on the inside of the front cover). He had told me to just read a little at a time. However, as you can see from my reading history, I ended up becoming quite, quite distracted by other books. I did want to finish reading The Pickwick Papers this summer, though. And I have.

I actually really enjoyed this! The humor was right up my alley and the characters were all truly lovable (especially the eponymous Mr. Pickwick). This book was such a comfort to read. I know that people usually tie Charles Dickens with literature that truly cast attention on the horrible lives most people led in Victorian England. However, this one was so lighthearted and funny! It did still contain oppressive institutions that were commonplace in Victorian England such as debtor's prisons and the terrible life therein. However, unlike his heavier novels, The Pickwick Papers seemed to only dip its metaphorical toes into the darker parts of Victorian England. 

I do want to reread this book (and take much, much less than three years to do it this time!), so I will probably be updating my little blurb here when I do!