maisiesmom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
novelideea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
steven_nobody's review against another edition
4.0
The most horrible opening chapter of any novel save for Sense and Sensibility. Otherwise excellent melodrama. This was Dicken's third novel, and you can tell he is still learning the art. He excels in the duel chapter, and I love reading about duels for some reason.
bibliotequeish's review
4.0
In classic Dickens we see the good guys fail and fall, get kicked down and scraped back up. I definitely have to be in a good mood to read these books because if I’m in a bad mood…. They can be downright depressing.
rissaleighs's review
4.0
I think the older I get, the more I appreciate Dickens. His characters seem wildly entertaining, preposterous, and larger than life, I think, to a kid; but when you begin to see something of the world, you begin to recognize, "Oh my word. This absurdity is real. I know Mrs. Nickleby!" Greatly enjoyed it. :) Especially the Mantalinis, Newman Noggs, and Kate.
idesofmarch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
bookishwendy's review against another edition
4.0
This was a joy--perfect summer reading. Some parts are riotously funny--The Infant Phenomenon, Dickens' takedown of 19th Century theater, Mrs Nickleby's unerring pride in a madman's amorous advances--and unlike [b:The Pickwick Papers|229432|The Pickwick Papers|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1360795072s/229432.jpg|3315230] there's actually a plot. As one might expect, my favorite moments of high drama involved Nicholas taking his fists to the faces of horrible schoolmasters and creepy stalkers. It's also interesting to see how Dickens has already started developing weightier themes that he'll go on to wield to greater effect in [b:Bleak House|31242|Bleak House|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1280113147s/31242.jpg|2960365], [b:A Christmas Carol|5326|A Christmas Carol|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406512317s/5326.jpg|3097440] and others. Though he manages to stave off sentimentality for a while--there are some hilarious false starts to the romance plot, for example--it's all tied up too nicely what with the convenient deaths, inheritances, not to mention poor Smike. Overall, a fun romp and a quick read for an 800 page book.
raalux's review against another edition
I'm not in the right state of mind for this right now. I just can't connect with any of the characters or get into the flow of the story
mrsjackflash's review against another edition
2.0
Dropped at 46%
Truthfully, the story really did peak with the ridiculous political campaign about the muffins, but otherwise the comedy didn’t hit as well as it should’ve, and the story seems rather too tame to hold interest. Not one of Dickens’ better works.
Truthfully, the story really did peak with the ridiculous political campaign about the muffins, but otherwise the comedy didn’t hit as well as it should’ve, and the story seems rather too tame to hold interest. Not one of Dickens’ better works.
vlbayliss's review
challenging
dark
funny
sad
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? No
3.0