Reviews

Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens

maryw's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective 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

4.5

jillkahnwald's review against another edition

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3.0

The female characters in this book are definitely stronger than those in his previous books, and more along the lines of Estella and Betsy Trotwood than Agnes and Nell. Although the plot could have been pared down considerably, overall this work is solid.

ipb1's review against another edition

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5.0

Third-time around I've decided that this is my favourite Dickens*. The last time I read this I was studying it under the great [a:John Carey|40229|John Carey|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (whose [b:The Violent Effigy: A Study Of Dickens' Imagination|290218|The Violent Effigy A Study Of Dickens' Imagination|John Carey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1367755603l/290218._SY75_.jpg|281569] is itself a classic) and I was amazed at how many lines and scenes came instantly and vividly back to mind a couple of decades on. Ah - now I'm nostalgic to see the 1980's BBC adaptation again, with the magnificently wooden Paul Darrow as Carker...

*subject to change, depending upon which one I have re-read most recently.

doramac's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

mia_48419's review against another edition

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emotional medium-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

4.75

annadixon76's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad slow-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

steven_nobody's review against another edition

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5.0

Through the first third of Dombey and Son, I was thinking it would surpass Our Mutual Friend as my favorite Dickens novel. It got a little slow in the middle, but the last third is all excellent melodrama!

bookbirder's review against another edition

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2.0

Too long. The conclusion was great, and worth waiting for if you have already made it to half way. However, I found the introduction too long when I did not know what was important with no knowledge of what the plot was going to be. The middle also felt far too long and any suspense that was there was not worthwhile.
I am glad I read Dombey and Son to get a better sense of Charles Dickens (it is a very similar style to his other two work's that I have read) but I would not recommend it and would not read again.

yers's review against another edition

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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

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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