cosetteld's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
statman's review against another edition
4.0
Dicken's novels are complex with many different characters and different plot lines going in different directions. It took me about a third of the book to figure out what was going on, but then once you have the major characters straight, then the story opens up and it becomes more enjoyable to read. Having read the BBC movie of it previously was also really helpful in understanding what was going on, although it kind of ruined the spoilers :)
steven_nobody's review against another edition
5.0
I can't decide if this is my favorite Dickens' novel or should I stick with the obvious Great Expectations. Or maybe Bleak House? Sometimes even Martin Chuzzlewit makes it to the top. Anyway, Dickens shakes a few tears out of me in Mutual Friend.
muuske's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
rfelt's review against another edition
4.0
I think I need to give it another chance--it's hard to read it on a deadline and having to write so much about it and reading two other intense books at the same time..so I don't think I fully appreciated it. But the ending did satisfy!
libbystephenson's review against another edition
4.0
Let's all just pretend that Book 4, chapter 13 doesn't exist so that I can give this 5 stars.
themodvictorian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars, Dickens is the BEST! This was not my favorite Dickens read (that honor belongs to Bleak House or David Copperfield), but this is certainly top 5.
Dickens has a truly stellar ability to map out his characters and interweave them in amazingly complex ways, as a reader you always know that if a character speaks, they'll factor into the narrative somehow. Our Mutual Friend was a little more full of villains than usual, but Dickens doled out the poetic justice just as I knew he would-comedy and all.
There were even moments when the tension of the character development was getting to me and I felt as though I HAD to look up what happened, or I would scream! As much as I enjoyed the read, getting through 800 pages can be a bit daunting when you're looking to find out what happened to a beloved (or loathed) character.
I found the ending to be slightly reminiscent of Oliver Twist or Great Expectations, but not entirely in a good way. Characters were (conveniently) doing more in the background to effect characters and the ending that I found to be little cheap on Dickens' part. I understand why he did it, but I feel as though he could have done better.
I DEFINITELY recommend this book to everybody who enjoys reading, Dickens is OG and this is on par with some of his best! Yes it's long, but it takes time to develop characters and allow Dickens to weave his masterful web-it's worth the time, I promise!
Dickens has a truly stellar ability to map out his characters and interweave them in amazingly complex ways, as a reader you always know that if a character speaks, they'll factor into the narrative somehow. Our Mutual Friend was a little more full of villains than usual, but Dickens doled out the poetic justice just as I knew he would-comedy and all.
There were even moments when the tension of the character development was getting to me and I felt as though I HAD to look up what happened, or I would scream! As much as I enjoyed the read, getting through 800 pages can be a bit daunting when you're looking to find out what happened to a beloved (or loathed) character.
I found the ending to be slightly reminiscent of Oliver Twist or Great Expectations, but not entirely in a good way. Characters were (conveniently) doing more in the background to effect characters and the ending that I found to be little cheap on Dickens' part. I understand why he did it, but I feel as though he could have done better.
I DEFINITELY recommend this book to everybody who enjoys reading, Dickens is OG and this is on par with some of his best! Yes it's long, but it takes time to develop characters and allow Dickens to weave his masterful web-it's worth the time, I promise!