Reviews

Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens

yers's review

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.

rachelb36's review against another edition

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.

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

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

raalux's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

3.25

This book is much darker than any of the Dickens I've read so far. It has some arresting, emotional scenes, and some deeply compelling characters, but my god is it long and drawn out. And I say this as a Dickens fan. 

Once again, if you're a Dickens fan don't skip this one, but if you're not... it may not be a journey you want to embark on.