"I loved this book, especially the second half. This was Charles Dickens' favorite of his novels and his most autobiographical. I loved the memorable characters: Aunt Betsey, Peggoty, Ham, Agnes, and Traddles. I told Isaac (age 18) that this book is better than Great Expectations (his all-time favorite novel) but he doesn't believe me. I love how this book has so much to say about marriage: Clara and Mr. Murdstone (obviously an example of a horrible marriage), Peggoty and Barkis, Traddles and Sophy (so sweet! poor but happy and hard-working newlyweds), David and Dora (oops -- he realized he picked someone without much substance, but he loved her and was true to her anyway), Emily and Ham's engagement (poor Emily learns too late the lesson taught in so many great classic novels: marry the honest, hard-working boy-next-door instead of the handsome arrogant man who sweeps you off your feet), Mr. and Mrs. Micawber (definite comic relief -- and such a loyal wife), and of course David and Agnes. What a powerful book!
Favorite quotes:
"I think of every little trifle between me and Dora, and feel the truth, that trifles make the sum of life." --chapter LIII
"Ever pointing upward, Agnes ; ever leading me to something better ; ever directing me to higher things!...all my life long I shall look up to you, and be guided by you, as I have been through the darkness that is past..." --chapter LX
"Miss Mills replied, on general principles, that the Cottage of content was better than the Palace of cold splendour, and that where love was, all was." --chapter XXXVII
"Never," said my aunt, "be mean in anything; never be false; never be cruel. Avoid those three vices, Trot, and I can always be hopeful of you." --chapter XV
"Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, and sincere earnestness." --chapter LXII
" . . . Ride on! Rough-shod if need be, smooth-shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride on over all obstacles, and win the race!" --chapter XXVIII
"I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time...My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest." --Chapter LXII"
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Alicia (5 out of 5 stars)