Scan barcode
hadeanstars's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot even begin to convey with enough enthusiasm, how sincerely I enjoyed this novel. Even by Dickens' peerless standards, this was a transport and a delight. I think it is my fifth Dickens this year and I am not sure if it is just an encroaching and warm familiarity, or perhaps this really is another level of literary greatness, but I enjoyed and marvelled at this work even more than my former favourite, David Copperfield.
I suspect that the reason is that this, like David Copperfield, is one of his longer works. Odd thought his might seem, it occurs to me that Dickens does not write for plot. There is plot, and usually a very compelling one, but the book does not work to the plot's rhythm, rather it marches at the timing of the major characters. For example, on of the major issues for me in The Old Curiosity Shop was the seemingly long-winded closing stages where Sally Brass took up a vast tract of the latter chapters. I really feel now, after Dombey, that this is all part of the design. Dickens writes to explore the richness of people, and sometimes it is a journey in itself. The reward lies in just relaxing into it, and appreciating the foibles and quirks of these people even if they do not advance the plot very much, because in a sense, they supersede such devices and carry them along in their wake.
In any case, Dombey was a beautiful, rewarding and magnificent journey through the humanising process of a very proud man who - as Oscar Wilder said it - knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Some of the characters were sublime. Old Major Bagstock, (in truth a personage I'm sure only the English could really get), the formidable and tragic Edith, her hilarious mother 'Cleopatra', and of course young Waller, and the darling Florence. They will all stay with me for years to come.
Is this Dickens' most under-appreciated and underrated novel? I still have a few to read, but so far, I would say without a doubt! Wonderful.
I suspect that the reason is that this, like David Copperfield, is one of his longer works. Odd thought his might seem, it occurs to me that Dickens does not write for plot. There is plot, and usually a very compelling one, but the book does not work to the plot's rhythm, rather it marches at the timing of the major characters. For example, on of the major issues for me in The Old Curiosity Shop was the seemingly long-winded closing stages where Sally Brass took up a vast tract of the latter chapters. I really feel now, after Dombey, that this is all part of the design. Dickens writes to explore the richness of people, and sometimes it is a journey in itself. The reward lies in just relaxing into it, and appreciating the foibles and quirks of these people even if they do not advance the plot very much, because in a sense, they supersede such devices and carry them along in their wake.
In any case, Dombey was a beautiful, rewarding and magnificent journey through the humanising process of a very proud man who - as Oscar Wilder said it - knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Some of the characters were sublime. Old Major Bagstock, (in truth a personage I'm sure only the English could really get), the formidable and tragic Edith, her hilarious mother 'Cleopatra', and of course young Waller, and the darling Florence. They will all stay with me for years to come.
Is this Dickens' most under-appreciated and underrated novel? I still have a few to read, but so far, I would say without a doubt! Wonderful.
kirstie4's review against another edition
2.0
This was one of those books which would've been wonderful 3x shorter than it was. Read via audiobook and found my mind wandering while listening.
erickibler4's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve read that Dombey and Son was the first of Dickens’ novels that was meticulously planned out from the beginning. That doesn’t seem true, given that a few of the characters who are given promising subplots are returned to almost as afterthoughts in the resolution. The Browns, Alice and her mother, seem destined to intersect in a big way with James Carker, possibly being the means of his fall from grace. But this never happens. Edith Dombey leaves the stage after her confrontation with Carker in Dijon, seeming prepared to finally take charge of her own life, but she is forgotten until a final emotional scene with Florence. Rob the Grinder never gets a significant part to play, nor do any of the Toodle family, although they are introduced with great fanfare in the beginning of the book.
Mr. Dombey’s happy ending seems undeserved. He brings nothing but misery to the other characters and has nothing to redeem him. I think he is only rehabilitated in order to show how saintly Florence is. Dombey is similar to Ebenezer Scrooge in a way, but with Scrooge, you follow every step of his conversion by the ghosts, and you buy it. With Dombey, there are any number of points where he could have woken up to the disastrous course his pride was taking him, but he never did. I’d have been completely satisfied with him living out his life in despair.
But all this having been said, there is some beautiful writing in this book, hitting on some real and complex emotional states, and Captain Ned Cuttle is one of Dickens’ most lovable and entertaining characters, as is Toots.
For all that this book has shipping and sea voyages as a background, I would have liked Dickens to take a real try at writing a story, or t least a subplot, about life aboard a ship. But I guess that would have been outside his literary bailiwick.
Mr. Dombey’s happy ending seems undeserved. He brings nothing but misery to the other characters and has nothing to redeem him. I think he is only rehabilitated in order to show how saintly Florence is. Dombey is similar to Ebenezer Scrooge in a way, but with Scrooge, you follow every step of his conversion by the ghosts, and you buy it. With Dombey, there are any number of points where he could have woken up to the disastrous course his pride was taking him, but he never did. I’d have been completely satisfied with him living out his life in despair.
But all this having been said, there is some beautiful writing in this book, hitting on some real and complex emotional states, and Captain Ned Cuttle is one of Dickens’ most lovable and entertaining characters, as is Toots.
For all that this book has shipping and sea voyages as a background, I would have liked Dickens to take a real try at writing a story, or t least a subplot, about life aboard a ship. But I guess that would have been outside his literary bailiwick.
patsmith139's review against another edition
4.0
Quite an investment as this is probably the most ‘difficult’ of Dickens’ novels I’ve read. There are definite themes of pride and ambition and the damage they can do. As the story progresses more and more of Dickens’ trademark characters, so often defined by a physical manifestation-the prime example being Mr Carker and his smile.-make their appearance. One of Dickens great villains who dominates every scene he appears in. And as always with Dickens, they are far more interesting than his heroes and heroines. Florence is a particularly example. Of course you’d be a block of concrete if you didn’t feel for her situation and the overarching desire to find a place in her father’s heart, but at least, unlike some of Dickens’ earlier’angels’ she has a flaw. Why does she blame herself? It’s a remarkable observation from Dickens on the psychological issues plaguing abused children. Indeed there are so many fascinating female characters in this novel. Edith, Florence’s proud and damaged stepmother is a magnificent creation and the development of Susan, Florence’s maid from a somewhat waspish, jealous young woman to her most loyal and stout defender.
thoughton98's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing tale of pride and ambition being in conflict with longing and love. The protagonist Florence Dombey battles with the loss of her dear brother Paul and the lack of affection shown to her by her father. However, whilst being one of Dickens’ darker novels at times, there are also moments of intense, feel-good glowing - most notably at the end of the story with the cathartic change in Mr Dombey’s relationship with his daughter.
There are also dozens of magnificent characters encountered throughout the novel, with my favourite being Captain Cuttle, and other notable figures being Captain Bunsby, Mr Toots, Susan Nipper, James Carker, Sol Gills, Old Mrs Brown, Mrs Pipchin, Mrs Macstinger, Edith and Walter Gay.
This is a novel that will have you howling with laughter at times, and clutching the book in pitiful empathy at others - a bitter story with a poignant and majestic ending.
There are also dozens of magnificent characters encountered throughout the novel, with my favourite being Captain Cuttle, and other notable figures being Captain Bunsby, Mr Toots, Susan Nipper, James Carker, Sol Gills, Old Mrs Brown, Mrs Pipchin, Mrs Macstinger, Edith and Walter Gay.
This is a novel that will have you howling with laughter at times, and clutching the book in pitiful empathy at others - a bitter story with a poignant and majestic ending.
lexiebear321's review against another edition
4.0
This was phenomenal! The way Dickens made his characters here made me feel extreme emotions from extreme anger to sadness to happiness. Also, the message that Dickens was telling was quite interesting; my theory is that Dickens was trying to talk about how pride can destroy us all and ruin relationships. I would so recommend it!
anja4800's review against another edition
5.0
I combined reading this marvel of a book with the audio version read by the incredible Mil Nicholson. An absolute pleasure.
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
Reading Dickens always reminds me that there was no such thing as an editor as we understand the function of an editor now. Dickens did carefully plot out his books — we have the evidence not only in letters but of his actual outline of how carefully this one was worked out. We can see through his letters where he deviated and where he stuck to the plot.
This is the first of his books that features a heroine rather than a hero at the center of the story. Florence, an unwanted daughter, is beneath her father’s notice. He ignores her lest he come to hate her (which he will do) in his disappointment over not having a son. When he gets the son, he is so elated that he scarcely notices the death of his wife.
Dombey's household, as well as his plans, are then organized around his little son Paul, who unfortunately is sickly. I think some of the best writing in the book is from Paul’s point of view, particularly when he is six years old. Carker's run was also amazing.
Strong but at times somewhat ham-handed are the descriptions of the train-building tearing up the English city and countryside: the first is the best, comparing it to an earthquake that has devastated a poor section of town. Equally interesting is the vivid depictions of a cram school and of who does the work when a grand wedding is set up, when a household goes into bankruptcy, and what goes on in the servants' part of the house.
I had some problems, as often happens with me and Dickens, with characterizations who are too obviously either Types to Make A Point, or caricatures. That's not to say they are all either Types or Caricatures. There are some brilliant characterizations, though exasperatingly enough, not all the main ones.
Mrs. Miff, who was only on stage for a few paragraphs here and there, was more interesting (and believable) than Florence, who is just too good and pure and deferential to be believed. Another great character was Miss Tox, the aging spinster who begins as a comic character as she secretly nurses her hopes of attaching the widower, encouraged (or so she believes) by Mrs. Chick, Dombey’s horrible sister, but attains dignity and greatness of heart.
Dickens is so good with comic secondary characters! Mr. Tootle, whose healthy progeny Dombey envies; Sol Gill; JB Bagshot, Miss Tox, Capt. Cuttle, Mr. Toots, and Susan Nipper. Mrs. Pipchin and the Blimbers come close.
Dickens does something interesting with the second wife, Edith, demonstrating what happens to women whose only choice is to marry. At least, I think the idea was interesting, but Dickens drags the situation on to excruciating lengths, repeating the same points in long melodramatic scenes. The villain comes on stage softly, and could have been interesting, but Dickens tips his hand by having the good and pure characters repelled by him by instinct. If only truly evil people really did have a warning aura about them!
I applaud Dickens for attempting the women's POV, but his heroines have no agency--all the more noticeable when I consider that the magnificent Becky Sharpe, in Thackeray's Vanity Fair, came out at exactly the same time.
That reminds me: I enjoyed little glimpses of the past. In Dickens' eyes, the Regency period was raffish and tarnished at best, as we see in a risible character whose shoulder and back are exposed, at the dinner. (Dickens is not kind to older women dressing young, even, as this one did, in the fashions of her youth, vis. the Regency gown.) Actually, Thackeray does the same, in Vanity Fair, which is set around the time of the Regency, with the big set piece at Waterloo. Not a pleasant depiction at all!
All in all, a good read, which could have been a great read if the repetition, preaching, and near-death Victorian conversions had been tightened way, way down.
This is the first of his books that features a heroine rather than a hero at the center of the story. Florence, an unwanted daughter, is beneath her father’s notice. He ignores her lest he come to hate her (which he will do) in his disappointment over not having a son. When he gets the son, he is so elated that he scarcely notices the death of his wife.
Dombey's household, as well as his plans, are then organized around his little son Paul, who unfortunately is sickly. I think some of the best writing in the book is from Paul’s point of view, particularly when he is six years old. Carker's run was also amazing.
Strong but at times somewhat ham-handed are the descriptions of the train-building tearing up the English city and countryside: the first is the best, comparing it to an earthquake that has devastated a poor section of town. Equally interesting is the vivid depictions of a cram school and of who does the work when a grand wedding is set up, when a household goes into bankruptcy, and what goes on in the servants' part of the house.
I had some problems, as often happens with me and Dickens, with characterizations who are too obviously either Types to Make A Point, or caricatures. That's not to say they are all either Types or Caricatures. There are some brilliant characterizations, though exasperatingly enough, not all the main ones.
Mrs. Miff, who was only on stage for a few paragraphs here and there, was more interesting (and believable) than Florence, who is just too good and pure and deferential to be believed. Another great character was Miss Tox, the aging spinster who begins as a comic character as she secretly nurses her hopes of attaching the widower, encouraged (or so she believes) by Mrs. Chick, Dombey’s horrible sister, but attains dignity and greatness of heart.
Dickens is so good with comic secondary characters! Mr. Tootle, whose healthy progeny Dombey envies; Sol Gill; JB Bagshot, Miss Tox, Capt. Cuttle, Mr. Toots, and Susan Nipper. Mrs. Pipchin and the Blimbers come close.
Dickens does something interesting with the second wife, Edith, demonstrating what happens to women whose only choice is to marry. At least, I think the idea was interesting, but Dickens drags the situation on to excruciating lengths, repeating the same points in long melodramatic scenes. The villain comes on stage softly, and could have been interesting, but Dickens tips his hand by having the good and pure characters repelled by him by instinct. If only truly evil people really did have a warning aura about them!
I applaud Dickens for attempting the women's POV, but his heroines have no agency--all the more noticeable when I consider that the magnificent Becky Sharpe, in Thackeray's Vanity Fair, came out at exactly the same time.
That reminds me: I enjoyed little glimpses of the past. In Dickens' eyes, the Regency period was raffish and tarnished at best, as we see in a risible character whose shoulder and back are exposed, at the dinner. (Dickens is not kind to older women dressing young, even, as this one did, in the fashions of her youth, vis. the Regency gown.) Actually, Thackeray does the same, in Vanity Fair, which is set around the time of the Regency, with the big set piece at Waterloo. Not a pleasant depiction at all!
All in all, a good read, which could have been a great read if the repetition, preaching, and near-death Victorian conversions had been tightened way, way down.
austenheroineinprogress's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.0
raye_loves_reading's review against another edition
1.0
Read this for uni, or I likely would never have read it. I get what was being said, but the book was depressing and long. Okay, I'm just going to say it, I don't like Dickens.