Reviews

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell

simsian's review

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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? No

3.75

lilyschafer's review

challenging dark informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

m_delaney's review

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Death

Minor: Rape

pinkdino88's review

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

The parts that were good were brilliant. Very witty, smart, thought provoking. The satire and use of irony was so well done. It explores an array of characters and I really liked learning about each of them. It broke my heart in a lot of sections and the experience of reading it really felt like a journey. My only fault would be the pacing, some sections I couldn't put it down and others dragged a little. And some of the points felt a little repetitive. However it is certainly a book which I would recommend everyone reading and is still very relevant to society over a 100 years on.  

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

sammystarbuck's review against another edition

3.0

I may not ascribe to the exact philosophies in this book, but that doesn't mean it isn't laugh-out-loud funny.

As the name "Bodgeit and Scarper" has been applied to several different workmen we've had the misfortune of dealing with over the years in our household, the names of companies and people were an especially amusing part of the story.

zoe_macgechan's review against another edition

3.0

Half the book would have done the job better. Enjoyed it very much, but enjoyed finishing it more!

beebeetlebee's review

emotional informative inspiring reflective 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

4.75

violetisreading's review against another edition

4.0

As relevant today as it was over a hundred years ago, when it was first being written. A stunning portrayal of Edwardian, working class poverty, false class consciousness and the importance of socialism. Poor working conditions and low pay, trapped workers in an endless cycle of poverty they could scarcely recognise themselves. Alas, to the reader in 2020, it is blindingly obvious.

“Every man who is not helping to bring about a better state of affairs for the future is helping to perpetuate the present misery, and is therefore the enemy of his own children.”

Full review to come soon.

fates_fables_golem's review

challenging informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

annafdavis's review

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0