bookbirder's review against another edition
2.0
Too long. The conclusion was great, and worth waiting for if you have already made it to half way. However, I found the introduction too long when I did not know what was important with no knowledge of what the plot was going to be. The middle also felt far too long and any suspense that was there was not worthwhile.
I am glad I read Dombey and Son to get a better sense of Charles Dickens (it is a very similar style to his other two work's that I have read) but I would not recommend it and would not read again.
I am glad I read Dombey and Son to get a better sense of Charles Dickens (it is a very similar style to his other two work's that I have read) but I would not recommend it and would not read again.
yers's review against another edition
4.0
Some Victorian Writers' works have not aged well partly due to the ornate language and intricate storytelling of the time. When talking about Victorian Literature and/or English Literature Dickens is such an unequivocal pillar that whether you are fond of the writing style or not, you must address at least one of his works as a milestone. Undoubtedly, his later works catapulted him as a star, but if the "Pickwick Papers" were full of satire and sarcasm, "Dombey & Son" is the total opposite in many aspects. Normally considered his entry to a more mature and complex worldbuilding, D&S has all the elements of pride, contrition, revenge, redemption, pilgrimage and spiritual liberation any one can expect from a great classic. The characters are written with such delicacy and rugged imperfection, you follow their storylines while immersed in a world full of arrogance, burdens, family intricacies and villainous martyrs. If you love Dickens, this is a book you must have in your collection.
jowmy4's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mlafaive's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rosielazar1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sandra_buckwell's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sharonb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Another brilliant Dickens read, up there with our mutual friend and bleak House. I think the best part of Dickens is his characters and the way he takes you on a roller coaster of emotions. You can be laughing one minute, crying the next, and infuriated the next but never bored!
I love how the side characters all get their stories too and in this one, when it seemed to reach its climax with Florence and her father we also then get the resolutions of other characters stories.
I absolutely LOVED Toots!
I part read and part listened on audible. Owen Teale's performance of the audiobook was top drawer. What a phenomenal voice actor he is! Highly recommend.
I love how the side characters all get their stories too and in this one, when it seemed to reach its climax with Florence and her father we also then get the resolutions of other characters stories.
I absolutely LOVED Toots!
I part read and part listened on audible. Owen Teale's performance of the audiobook was top drawer. What a phenomenal voice actor he is! Highly recommend.
rachelb36's review
3.0
This was humorous in the beginning and showed real promise, but quickly became tedious and boring. Dickens used far too many words.
It was difficult to keep a few characters straight, and my favorite characters saw the least amount of page-space. Some of the characters who I think were supposed to be amusing were just obnoxiously grating.
The story itself seemed rather predictable and formulaic. There were a few phrases here and there rhat I particularly liked, but overall, the book was a dud for me.
Note: There was a small amount of profanity.
It was difficult to keep a few characters straight, and my favorite characters saw the least amount of page-space. Some of the characters who I think were supposed to be amusing were just obnoxiously grating.
The story itself seemed rather predictable and formulaic. There were a few phrases here and there rhat I particularly liked, but overall, the book was a dud for me.
Note: There was a small amount of profanity.
natwrite's review against another edition
5.0
This was really different from the other Dickens books I've read. Certainly much darker, I think. While perhaps not my favorite of his, I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel like I learned a lot.
datoismyname's review against another edition
3.0
Honest to god I thought I would hate this book. Over all I really enjoyed it. It was written in serial form and that's why its like a thousand pages so dickens could have cut back on a lot if it was just a regular novel. Still liked it