zara_stahl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
ronanmcd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I was absolutely engrossed. I loved it so much. Dickens as ever can transport you to a time and place.
But I was very such by Madame Defarge, in a very modern way. As we see daily with online figures, celebs, media personalities, and as we have seen through modern history of genocide, fascism and the like, it's often a single loud voice that gets amplified and brings about destruction. And so it is here. It's s fascinating look at how the crowd are brought along by one vocal person with several choose followers who repeat their words.
Extra points to the publisher who included an essay by George Woodcock which takes apart the book and Dickens himself. Brave move to include this!
But I was very such by Madame Defarge, in a very modern way. As we see daily with online figures, celebs, media personalities, and as we have seen through modern history of genocide, fascism and the like, it's often a single loud voice that gets amplified and brings about destruction. And so it is here. It's s fascinating look at how the crowd are brought along by one vocal person with several choose followers who repeat their words.
Extra points to the publisher who included an essay by George Woodcock which takes apart the book and Dickens himself. Brave move to include this!
britbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
blip_a's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
soog's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
booknerd_therapist's review against another edition
5.0
Charles Dickens is a master story-teller. Historians have classified this as his "least Dickensian" novel, and I think anyone who is familiar with his work would agree. There are very few light-hearted moments, and his symbolism comes across as rather heavy-handed. Still, he had reasons for all of this, and I think that this book should be evaluated in its own right, rather than in comparison to his other works.
Dickens presents a world gone mad. There is no justice for the poor. They are abused and ill-treated by the aristocracy. When they finally have their revenge, they are like wild animals, and are completely consumed with their lust for blood.
In the midst of all this is a family that just wants to survive, and a man who is secretly in love. He pledges that he would do anything to see his love happy, and in the end, keeps his promise.
This is a beautiful story about the power of love, redemption, and the human spirit. Every word and every action has meaning. This is not a novel to be rushed; it is one to be savored and cherished.
Dickens presents a world gone mad. There is no justice for the poor. They are abused and ill-treated by the aristocracy. When they finally have their revenge, they are like wild animals, and are completely consumed with their lust for blood.
In the midst of all this is a family that just wants to survive, and a man who is secretly in love. He pledges that he would do anything to see his love happy, and in the end, keeps his promise.
This is a beautiful story about the power of love, redemption, and the human spirit. Every word and every action has meaning. This is not a novel to be rushed; it is one to be savored and cherished.