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reidob 's review for:
Our Mutual Friend
by Charles Dickens
Not one of Dickens' best books. His final completed work, it simply does not have the verve for which most of his work is known. Some of the characters are as engaging as any he wrote previous to this book, but many are pale simulacrum of those previously invented, as if he cannot be bothered to come up with entirely new people to write about or things for them to do. Though there is something of a mystery around a murder, this book predates the popularity of the murder genre and Dickens seems to have had no idea that the suspense induced by this could have driven the book forward.
All of this is not to say that this was not a delightful read. Dickens is always fun and interesting, with twists of plot and turns of phrase that are as refreshing as they are original. But if one had to choose only one or two of his books to read, this would certainly not be on the list.
All of this is not to say that this was not a delightful read. Dickens is always fun and interesting, with twists of plot and turns of phrase that are as refreshing as they are original. But if one had to choose only one or two of his books to read, this would certainly not be on the list.