The Pickwick Papers Part 1 Of 3

Rating:
Summary: One of the great literary works of all time
Review: Pickwick papers must rate as one of the greatest literary works in English. The sheer numbers of characters woven into the storyline and how well they mesh together is incredible. Pickwick and Sam Weller must rank among the top literary characters in English literature.

Rating:
Summary: Pure candy
Review: The book which first vaulted Dickens to fame is indeed amusing. Readers should not expect the kind of tightly plotted narrative of twentieth century novels; this is mostly a rambling character gallery, with much comedy of situation. Its light-heartedness is in marked contrast to the darker tone of some of Dickens' later works.

Rating:
Summary: Dickens' Great Effort
Review: The characters in the novel which is Dickens' first are truly unforgettable. Taking into consideration the fact that he was just 24 when he started working on this book, it is clear that in his later works he shows a maturity but not the sense of humour that he put into this book. Mr. Samuel Pickwick and his man-servant Samuel Weller and the other members of the Pickwick Club make this a compelling read. You are simply struck by Mr. Weller's remarks and I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. Strongly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Pickwick Papers is an amusing read
Review: The classic novel the Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens, is a very enchanting and witty novel. It is full of quirky and fun characters such as Mr. Pickwick himself, the constant gentleman and "hero" of the novel, and his jovial manservant Sam Weller, an amusing definition of a devoted friend. Dickens does an excellent job of keeping the reader entertained with these eccentric characters through their many adventures and escapades.
This book is great for anyone who loves Charles Dickens' literature because it shows a more comical side to his writing yet still keeps his classic style. This book is not for those looking for a quick read. Dickens is very verbose and elaborate in his detailing of every single aspect of the book, from the characters to the scenery. This aspect slows the pace a little, so the reader must be at full attention at all times. When that attention is given however, the reader becomes enthralled with clever witticisms to make anyone laugh out loud as well as intricate detailing in both setting and character that can make them feel like an intimate friend of Mr. Pickwick as they are sitting in a perfectly portrayed setting. Dickens' sense of humor shines through Pickwick Papers through many of these situations with his mischievous use of satire. Dickens' takes a playful aim at many subjects such as the antics of politics, the absurdity of law, and the general folly of the human race. These features make the book an interesting and amusing read because Dickens uses his comedy to poke fun and completely entertains the reader simultaneously. Overall, Pickwick Papers is a brilliantly written book that is sure to entertain any who take the time and effort to read it.

Rating:
Summary: Pickwick Papers is an amusing read
Review: The classic novel the Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens, is a very enchanting and witty novel. It is full of quirky and fun characters such as Mr. Pickwick himself, the constant gentleman and "hero" of the novel, and his jovial manservant Sam Weller, an amusing definition of a devoted friend. Dickens does an excellent job of keeping the reader entertained with these eccentric characters through their many adventures and escapades.
This book is great for anyone who loves Charles Dickens' literature because it shows a more comical side to his writing yet still keeps his classic style. This book is not for those looking for a quick read. Dickens is very verbose and elaborate in his detailing of every single aspect of the book, from the characters to the scenery. This aspect slows the pace a little, so the reader must be at full attention at all times. When that attention is given however, the reader becomes enthralled with clever witticisms to make anyone laugh out loud as well as intricate detailing in both setting and character that can make them feel like an intimate friend of Mr. Pickwick as they are sitting in a perfectly portrayed setting. Dickens' sense of humor shines through Pickwick Papers through many of these situations with his mischievous use of satire. Dickens' takes a playful aim at many subjects such as the antics of politics, the absurdity of law, and the general folly of the human race. These features make the book an interesting and amusing read because Dickens uses his comedy to poke fun and completely entertains the reader simultaneously. Overall, Pickwick Papers is a brilliantly written book that is sure to entertain any who take the time and effort to read it.

Rating:
Summary: It's magically good
Review: The only possible criticism I have is that the book is a wee bit long. But would you mind receiving an overly long exquisitely turned umbrella from 1840? ( I wouln't either). In fairness to the muses, this book is magical. The word "Pickwickian" has come to signify an easy liberality and conscientiousness and that's what the Pickwick Club is all about. The members of the club run into contretemps but they ride them out without rancor or despair. In fact, the redemption, the payoff, in reading this novel is watching the Pickwickians deal with whatever besets them intelligently and optimistically...naturally. It's like watching a swallow fly on a windy day. No sweat.

Rating:
Summary: Watch out for the OXFORD EDITION
Review: The Oxford edition (edited by Kinsely) of Pickwick only reprints a few of the illustrations (Kinsley is turning in his grave!). The illustrations to this novel are half the point of it. Buy the Penguin or another, fully illustrated edition instead.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous portraits
Review: The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens ostensibly follows the exploits of a "scientific club" headed by Mr. Pickwick, a retired businessman of financial means. But as Dickens notes in his preface, the club is a mere point- of- departure for a rollicking story, and is soon left behind. This is a wonderful book, notwithstanding a few tedious spots, and some "sidebar" tales that could have been left out. Dickens' true genius lies in his portraits of the two Wellers- Sam and his father- who gradually assume main character status. Rembrandt himself could not have depicted them with more insight. His sketches of these two are so lively, and so full of good- natured humor, that they will live in your memory for years to come.

Rating:
Summary: Dickens' wonderful first novel
Review: The Pickwick Papers, (or rather The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club) although not Dickens' best work, is still a wondeful novel. The writing isn't as consistently good as it is in his later novels, but none of the writing is bad, and there are several flashes of brilliance which seem to herald what Dickens' would become when his genius had time to ripen (one of these can be found at the end of chapter 44, a beautifully written account of the death of a prisoner in a debtor's prison). In the beginning, despite being very funny, the novel, and indeed Mr. Pickwick, may seem rather inane. Keep reading. The story of Mr. Pickwick's trial and eventual imprisonment is one of the most brilliant pieces of comic literature, and Mr. Pickwick grows into a truly monumental character by the end. And Sam Weller, Mr. Pickwick's cockney servant, is one of the best characters in all of Dickens. Clever, witty, and cynical, he seems to light up every page. The book has a very happy ending, in which all loose ends are tied together and every character gets what he or she deserves. It is truly uplifting. I strongly reccommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: How I love this book!
Review: This actually happens to be my very favourite Dickens, and that's saying a lot since I love all his work so much. The book is a series of sketches that were published in serial form like so much of Dickens work when he first started publishing. These sketches were written by Dickens as an accompaniment to various caricatures done by a popular artist. The main character in the book is Mr. Pickwick and he is a naïve, generous, lovable old gentleman who is the self-appointed head of the Pickwick Club. Dickens characters are truly wonderful in this book and that is why I love it so much. The book is funny and charming. These sketches cover the whole gamut of human emotions, and we see the inevitable Dickens' theories behind them, but that doesn't take away from their charm. I can say with no hesitation that this was the book that I read that really turned me onto Dickens, and after reading this, I had to read the rest of his work. Definitely a "desert island" book for me.