jasonfurman's review against another edition
5.0
Once again presumptuous to rate the book. But even by Dickens' standards this would merit five stars. Perhaps the biggest frustration is the title, wishing to know whether or not it is actually a mystery -- with my reasonably strong money being on the fact that it is not. I think it was Our Mutual Friend with the preface saying something like don't congratulate yourself on solving the mystery -- it's not supposed to be one. Either way, John Jasper is a worthwhile addition to the canon of characters, as are about a half dozen others in this novel that begins and essentially ends in an opium den.
alba_marie's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know how I feel about this book. Obviously, like others have said, it's incomplete though we know more or less what happens. It wasn't what I expected at all. For one, Edwin doesn't disappear until 3/4 of the way through the book. Up until then, there is loads of setting up the scene (including one scene in an opium den!), introducing the many characters (my copy had a list of characters thank goodness, because there are several and sometimes they run together), creating a love story, plus much witty bantering between various characters (esp the ridiculous drunken stonemason Durdles). Recently I've been on a gothic / mystery / ghost / Victorian era / historical novel kick, and Edwin Drood seemed like it fit right in. It had potential and I went in wanting to like it. But I'm not sure it did.... (and this has nothing to do with the fact that it's not finished, the poor man can't help that he died before he completed it!) Anyway. It's only my 2nd Dickens - the first being Great Expectations back in uni which took me over 6 months to get through between picking it up and putting it down several times. This one was a faster read by comparison (about 2 weeks, if that) but I still think I prefer the long and more complex Great Expectations. Anyway, it was a good way to delve back into Dickens! 3.5 stars.
susie_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
sheryl_marie_'s review against another edition
Too many characters, too much dialogue and after reading 36% of the book, the titular plot line hasn't yet begun.
Charles Dickens is famous for his whole life sagas such as Great Expectations and Oliver Twist, his experiment with a shorter, faster paced story that could be published periodically in just 12 months is a failed one for me.
Charles Dickens is famous for his whole life sagas such as Great Expectations and Oliver Twist, his experiment with a shorter, faster paced story that could be published periodically in just 12 months is a failed one for me.
stormhawk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Dickens uncompleted book. I really liked it even though Dickens is not my favorite. I have a hard time following what is going on and there are often tangents that don't seem to be related to the plot. Just him showing off his abilities to write. His books get long with material that doesn't seem to add a lot.
bookpossum's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this final,unfinished work by Dickens. It is very clear who the murderer is, but what is forever unknown is how he is unmasked. It will be fun to discuss possible scenarios with fellow members of my book club.
One fly in the ointment for me was the sickly sweet Rosa Bud. Dickens clearly had a thing about pretty little childish women, to be petted and patronised. Give me a Trollope heroine any day over a Dickens one!
One fly in the ointment for me was the sickly sweet Rosa Bud. Dickens clearly had a thing about pretty little childish women, to be petted and patronised. Give me a Trollope heroine any day over a Dickens one!
tildafin16's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
slferg's review against another edition
4.0
I decided to read this book while I was reading 'DROOD' since that was supposedly related. Not having gotten halfway through the other book, so far the only connection seems to be the opium scenes. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
This partial story was quite good. The start was rather slow and I was totally under-impressed and exasperated with Rosa, but she improved with time. I was the book had been finished.
This partial story was quite good. The start was rather slow and I was totally under-impressed and exasperated with Rosa, but she improved with time. I was the book had been finished.
seaswift14's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5