A review by jmiae
Nicholas Nickleby, by Charles Dickens
3.0
Perhaps because the novel was originally released in twenty instalments, but I found I was practically dragging myself through most of the story. Although some characters, like Mr Squeers, the Mantalinis, Newman Noggs, John Browdie, and of course Sir Mulberry Hawk, were very memorable and entertaining, I found the Nicklebys to be rather bland in comparison. Perhaps I have read too much of other English literature (Ralph Nickleby is another version of Ebenezer Scrooge, and Mrs Nickleby reminded me forcibly of Jane Austen's Mrs Bennet). I wonder if I simply prefer when Charles Dickens' writes about the experiences of children rather than from a grown like Nicholas Nickleby. But beyond relatively uneventful or at least unexciting plot lines, Dickens delivers his usual insights into human nature and descriptions of 19th century London with his characteristic poetic and stylised prose, and that in itself is worth reading, to my view.
***EDIT***
Having watched the film today (the 2001 two-part version, which I think is much better than the Hollywood 2002 one), I have changed my mind a bit. I still think the plot is not as well-spun as other Dickens' works, but I really quite like Nicholas. This might be due to his resemblance (especially in the film) to someone I am very fond of.
Also, I am beginning to realise that Dickens struggled with creating well-developed female characters. They all seem rather flat; they are caricatures of different (those that are celebrated and those that are treated with derision and contempt) aspects of women. In reality, if he had combined the obvious characteristics of Fanny Squeers, Tilly Price, Madeline Bray, Kate Nickleby, and Mrs Nickleby (to name the major players) he might have managed to paint a truer portrait of the female psyche. Or at the very least a more realistic female character.
***EDIT***
Having watched the film today (the 2001 two-part version, which I think is much better than the Hollywood 2002 one), I have changed my mind a bit. I still think the plot is not as well-spun as other Dickens' works, but I really quite like Nicholas. This might be due to his resemblance (especially in the film) to someone I am very fond of.
Also, I am beginning to realise that Dickens struggled with creating well-developed female characters. They all seem rather flat; they are caricatures of different (those that are celebrated and those that are treated with derision and contempt) aspects of women. In reality, if he had combined the obvious characteristics of Fanny Squeers, Tilly Price, Madeline Bray, Kate Nickleby, and Mrs Nickleby (to name the major players) he might have managed to paint a truer portrait of the female psyche. Or at the very least a more realistic female character.