I appreciated the satirising of politics and the processes of the legal system, as well as the portrayal of the debtors prison and the fates of those therein.Overall to me it was the theme of friendship that stuck out.*"He derived at that moment, more pride and luxury of feeling from the disinterested attachment of his humble friends, than ten thousand protestations from the greatest men living could have awakened in his heart.Few first novels have created as much popular excitement as The Pickwick Papers–-a comic masterpiece that catapulted its 24-year-old author to immediate fame.
Their relationship was the star of the book for me. Whereas at the beginning Pickwick and co felt like they were being portrayed in a humourous and superficial way, I felt like as the book went on it emerged that there was true regard and friendship between the Pickwickians and particularly between Sam and Mr P. When describing the Inns in London or Dingley Dell, I could build a comprehensive picture in my mind and I appreciated this.Dickens is fabulous at naming people! Particular favourites were Lady Snuphanuph and Lord Mutanhead, Count Smorltork etc - just wonderful and evocative of their person!As the book progressed I felt that the portrayal of all the relationships deepened. Secondly - things I loved:I really enjoyed Dickens' descriptions of places and people.
I enjoyed them individually and they helped vary the tone of the book and give it some texture but I feel like the book would still hold its own without them. As the book progressed I feel the narrator's voice withdrew into the background somewhat and I felt more directly connected to Mr Pickwick and co.Also the interjected stories were not that interesting to me. It felt like there was a distance between the reader and the characters and sometimes the tone of the early narration came across as somewhat cynical and as if they were gently making a fool of Mr Pickwick and friends. This review is going to mostly be a brain dump of my feelings and reactions to the book.Firstly - things I found less appealing:To begin with I found the narrative style - as if relating the contents of personal papers - a little hard to engage with.
I adored this book!It's my first foray into reading Charles Dickens and I plan on reading all his novels this year.I feel like The Pickwick Papers was the perfect introduction.
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