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atuin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
3.5
Great to get back to Pratchett. His love of the Victorian era is evident in the descriptions of London and the deluge of cameos from famous/important Victorian figures, like Benjamin Disraeli and Charles Dickens. You'll get more out of it if you know the time period. I admit, it felt a little odd for Sweeny Todd to show up when other famous Victorians were real. There are similarities between this book and Charles Dickens, mostly in the form of a young poor man rising above his station. My favorite character here was Solomon.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Miscarriage
mcbenzie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A delight from start to finish, and while I haven’t much Dickens, I recognise that this is a superbly crafted blend of old Charlie and Pratchett, and my admiration for Pterry only grows. It’s sad there’s now one fewer book of his waiting in store for me, but what a wonderful journey it was. I have already learned a deal about Victorian London but I learned more here, and quite a few new words and phrases besides, and if you hadn’t noticed, a way of writing and speaking that is quite infectious. Thank you Sir Terry and Mister Dickens and indeed Mister Dodger for such a gift of a book.
One last note: one of my favourite aspects of Dodger is that while it is a book for “young adults”, according to the publisher, it deals with very serious subject matter and doesn’t seem to condescend. I think Pterry always knew this was key, and it’s more obvious here than in any of his other works for younger audiences. I look forward very much to his other young adult books, which I’ve also mostly not yet read.
One last note: one of my favourite aspects of Dodger is that while it is a book for “young adults”, according to the publisher, it deals with very serious subject matter and doesn’t seem to condescend. I think Pterry always knew this was key, and it’s more obvious here than in any of his other works for younger audiences. I look forward very much to his other young adult books, which I’ve also mostly not yet read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Abandonment
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