Dickens’ exuberant novel charts the rise of its young hero Nicholas Nickleby, who progresses from an impoverished youngster gladly accepting his uncle’s offer of help, to an assured businessman capable of thwarting villainous plans. The book unfolds in a series of vivid scenes, starting with Nicholas accompanying the vicious schoolmaster, Wackford Squeers, north to the grim Dotheboys Hall. Later, Nicholas tries his fortune on the stage before the action returns to London, and to a most unexpected revelation.
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"Dickens is one of my favorite authors. However, it took me a while to get through this 800+ page novel replete with 19th Century language. One always wants to slow down and savor the wit, irony, and sarcasms scattered within the story. The way the various characters weave in and out of the story, bumping into the other characters is amazing. This book may have been written about 150 years ago, but many of its subjects and plots are relevant to our world today. What deeds will some greedy people do for money? High interest gambling and payday loans are agreed to by the desperate to the cunning loan sharks. What sort of life does a miserly person lead? What happiness comes to the generous-hearted? What kind of person helps the 'least among us'? Plus here is the comfortable living to rags to riches story that we all love. Then there is romance. For me it was worth the effort, but I wouldn't recommend this to all of my friends. If you are willing and have time to read this classic, you may be well rewarded."
— Rrshively (4 out of 5 stars)
" Overall, I enjoyed the story. It reminded me a bit of Austen's books where everything works out perfectly for the 'good' character and everything ends terrible for the 'bad' characters. I thought that it was a bit long and could have done without some parts. "
— Ellon, 2/18/2014" Ugh, I am officially Dickensed out. It all started when I read Bleak House a few months ago (which I absolutely loved) and followed that up with Great Expectations. The Dickens reading kick continued for a few more books, so by the time I got to Nicholas his story seemed like too much of a retread of what I just read in another book. At this point, it is just too much cliche, albeit cliches Dickens created. The large cast of characters is mostly wonderful and loveable. Except, of course, the characters we are supposed to hate, and they are delightfully vicious and evil. Some of supporting cast, though (particularly Mrs. Nickelby) had me rolling my eyes and skipping ahead a few pages once I got to their dialogue. Perhaps if I take a break from Dickens for a few years, his plots and characters will seem fresh once again. "
— Heyrebekah, 2/9/2014" This is a very long book! "
— Hannah, 1/31/2014" It's hard to bitch about Dickens novels because they're Dickens novels and they're just such refreshing reads: his prose is like honey on golden toast. That said, Nickleby has some issues, mostly its length, that made me anxious to get the goddamn thing over with. It is overlong: nearly 800 pages! and stuffed with any number of minor, insignificant characters that could've been neatly sliced off the story. The story itself is pretty neat with a nice twist at the end and a pretty dark way of dealing with the fate of Ralph Nickleby, the evil uncle (sort of a proto-Stooge, who doesn't fare as well as that haunted madman did, tho'). Nickleby and his sister are the main heroes, the pivot of the plot and are both so gregarious, obsessive, and violent, yes violent! that they really stand out from Dickens' other creations. Worth the slog, overall. "
— Jason, 1/29/2014" Got this at the Oxford University Press bookshop in my place. It was fun reading a Dickens adaptations for children. The cover picture was beautiful, the illustrations inside were nice. The story was okay. I wouldn't call it my favourite Dickens. But because it was adapted, the book gave importance to the plot and the Dickens language was missing. But I think it will work for younger readers who are exploring Dickens for the first time. I will give it 3 stars for the story and 4 stars for the book production and look-and-feel. "
— Vishy, 1/27/2014" Nicholas Nickleby is a wonderful story with great characters ie Wackford Squeers, Smike, Ralph Nickleby, Ray and Charles Cheeryble and of course Tim Linkenwater and Newman Noggs. Challenging to figure out in the narrative what was important to the story and what was Dicken's embellishment . Well worth the time to read. "
— Laura, 1/26/2014" my second favorite Dickens book. "
— Kim, 1/25/2014" The writing style is verbose, but in the best way. Lovely and funny and sad and unforgettable. "
— Laura, 1/22/2014" I really liked this book. Very lively and nice. "
— Soa, 1/22/2014" I remember finding this one pretty tedious, although some of the characters intrigued me deeply. "
— Nikki, 1/14/2014" It's funny that I was surprised how good of an author Dickens is. "
— Emily, 1/14/2014Charles Dickens (1812–1870) was born in Landport, Portsmouth, England, the second of eight children in a family continually plagued by debt. A legacy brought release from the nightmare of debtors’ prison and child labor and afforded him a few years of formal schooling. He worked as an attorney’s clerk and newspaper reporter until his early writings brought him the amazing success that was to be his for the remainder of his life. He was the most popular English novelist of the Victorian era, and he remains popular, responsible for some of English literature’s most iconic characters.
Martin Jarvis, OBE, has recorded more than 150 Just William stories for the BBC. These have become international audio bestsellers. He won the Theatre World Award for his starring role on Broadway in By Jeeves; his West End appearances include works by Ayckbourn, Frayn, Pinter, and Wilde. Screen successes include everything from Stargate Atlantis, Doctor Who, and Numb3rs to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Oscar-winning Titanic.