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qwelling4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kimouise's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
hadeanstars's review against another edition
4.0
Another fantastic Dickens novel, but not in my opinion one of the best ones. It's an early work which perhaps accounts for its somewhat rambling nature, which nonetheless has its own serendipitous charm, but the consequence is that it does not have the punch of many of his later works which are better focused and more refined in scope and direction.
Classic Dickens though and there are many laughs and tears to be had.
Classic Dickens though and there are many laughs and tears to be had.
erickibler4's review against another edition
5.0
Of all the young heroes of Dickens' novels, Nicholas Nickleby is the one likeliest to put a bad guy in the hospital. He administers beatings to at least three people: a nasty schoolmaster, a rival actor, and a lecherous gambler. Do not mess with him.
This is a highly enjoyable novel, but then, the only one of Dickens' that left me cold so far was Hard Times, which was a bit preachy for my tastes.
Plenty of great characters abound, as is usual for Dickens, but I particularly liked the section where Nicholas joins the acting troupe, which is hilarious, especially if you've spent some time around theater people.
This is a highly enjoyable novel, but then, the only one of Dickens' that left me cold so far was Hard Times, which was a bit preachy for my tastes.
Plenty of great characters abound, as is usual for Dickens, but I particularly liked the section where Nicholas joins the acting troupe, which is hilarious, especially if you've spent some time around theater people.
skconaghan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Marvellous.
emzapk's review against another edition
4.5
Was not expecting this to be so hilarious! I love Dickens. He has a bit of a predictable type in his protagonists, but fills the story in with enough intrigue and amusing side characters to keep you interested. Sometimes the themes and moral lessons can seem a bit heavy-handed, but he handles them so deftly that I can't help but absorb them. In this one, I was especially struck by Ralph, and how his self-hatred and projection of that onto others really messed with his life. He was full of selfish motivations and a focus on inconsequential things, and assumed everyone else was the same. This kept him from forming meaningful relationships, and made him always assume the worst in people. It made me think about the danger of assigning motivations to people. Doing this generally only fuels bad feelings. Don't assume you know why someone is acting a certain way! Communicate! It makes things so much easier. (I say as a reminder to myself...)
musicsaves's review against another edition
5.0
FIRST LINE REVIEW: "There once lived, in a sequestered part of the county of Devonshire, one Mr. Godfrey Nickleby: a worthy gentleman, who, taking it into his head rather late in life that he must get married, and not being young enough or rich enough to aspire to the hand of a lady of fortune, had wedded an old flame out of mere attachment, who in her turn had taken him for the same reason." Oh, Dickens, how I love thee! Like an old flame that I don't return to often enough, you are so comforting and surprising. This massive novel thoroughly delighted me on every level. I didn't want it to end (which is always a good sign, especially for someone who reads as much as I do!). Heartbreaking, delightfully humorous and oh-so romantic! A great way to spend my winter break!