Vanity Fair, Thackeray's masterpiece novel satirizing Victorian society, is one of history's best-loved works of literature. The story follows its two heroines, the loyal Amelia Sedley and the beautiful but manipulative Becky Sharp, as their fortunes ebb and flow over the years. The withering eye that Thackeray casts on the upper class exposes their materialism and false pretense in an engaging, beautifully written manner.
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"Once I got past its massive size, I realized that Thackeray's style of narration made it move along quite swiftly. He jumps from one scene and character to the next willy nilly and thus keeps you on your toes. It was kind of nice to return to a Victorian novel, a genre of literature that satiated my University days, and which I haven't attempted since Middlemarch earlier this year. The thing about Victorian novels is that you can always count on them for overt moralizing, and Thackeray does moralise unabashedly, and with refreshing humour. I let him make me fall in love with the character of Dobbin, the uncommon hero with his awkward ways and "big feet." In fact it was nice to have such a hero to have faith in for a change. I call him a hero despite the subtitle of A Novel Without a Hero. In fact, I think there were 4 or 5 unlikely heros in this. There were many moments in this book when I giggled out loud. I felt like Thackeray and I were co-conspirators in the mocking of the worlds' vanity. And indeed not much on that theme has changed, his moralising is still very relevant. The backdrop of the battle of Waterloo, of men warring, still goes on. As does greed, and all the things we do to feed our greed: deceipt, the spending of money we do not have, the disparity of classes, bickering amongst sons for their fathers inheritance, and so on. I smiled over names like Mrs. Crawley and Lady Bareacres: The old landed gentry's position was now a very hollow one, and characters not born to wealth like Mrs. Crawley(nee Sharp) were forced to crawl their way up. And crawl her way up she did. I have to say Becky Sharp is the sort of character you know you should hate, but that you secretly cheer for. At the same time I was happy to see her karma catch up with her. And despite this, I lump her with the heros. I think Becky Sharp reaches her personal best moment in the last chapter. And her actions there somewhat redeemed her character with me. But I won't give away any of that, except to say that I love a good ending that makes a long read worth it, that enables me to close a book with a feeling of "that's just how it should be.""
— Victoria (4 out of 5 stars)
“It is not so much what is done [in Vanity Fair], as the way in which it is done, that surprises and delights; and the manner is always inimitable, even when the matter is common.”
— Atlantic" I really can't decide how I felt about this book. The writing style was engaging and humorous, the characters a mix of deplorable, despicable, and pathetic, and Thackeray did a magnificent job of patronizing both his awful characters and other genres of literature. I may need to read it again, I'm still feeling like I missed something. "
— Shaylee, 2/18/2014" It was OK. I just expected more. "
— Will, 2/11/2014" Click and read my review. "
— Nath, 2/11/2014" At first glance, Vanity Fair appears to be another simple nineteenth century British romance. The main protagonists are two young, unmarried women, and some gentlemen from upper class families. Jane Austen's notation about single men in possession of a good fortune being in need of a wife seems to apply here. But after the initial date scenes, the story descends into issues of class warfare, the struggle against poverty, true and false chivalry, the curse of debt, the role of peerages and titles in society, and whether good and bad, or justice and injustice, can appear in the same person. All around, a good story that also raises good questions. "
— Tim, 2/10/2014" Excellent, satire at its best. "
— Yulande, 2/1/2014" Talk about 30 ways to reinvent yourself. Madonna's predecessor. "
— Lori, 1/31/2014" "That is the last tome for a while! The characters are fascinating and his names for people are hilarious." "
— Sandra, 1/26/2014" Becky Sharp is one of the great characters of all time. She's up there with Lily Bart and Scarlett O'Hara. This maybe "a novel without a hero" but it's certainly a novel with a heroine. Becky is not exactly likeable but since when did likeable characters become a plus in a novel? And of course this novel is as relevant today as it ever was. Banking scams and failures, greedy social climbers, thwarted love stories. Nothing new under the sun but satire razor sharp and so very fun to read. "
— Jenny, 1/25/2014" Very good, but the usual from this period. "
— Kindell, 1/21/2014" I have no idea why I subjected myself to this. "
— Biogeek, 1/21/2014" Absolutely love it! This masterpiece depicts the ascent and decline of Vanity Fair's players. A delightful novel displaying English society in the 1900s. The omniscient narrator's voice is priceless. "
— Grazi, 1/20/2014William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–1863) was born and educated to be a gentleman but gambled away much of his fortune while at Cambridge. He trained as a lawyer before turning to journalism. He was a regular contributor to periodicals and magazines and Vanity Fair was serialised in Punch in 1847–8.
Edward Petherbridge’s theater experience is extensive. He originated the role of Guildenstern in the original production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and he has been nominated for two Tony Awards, one for Nicholas Nickleby and the other for Strange Interlude. For the latter he also received an Olivier Award. His television and film credits include Gulliver’s Travels, An Awfully Big Adventure, No Strings, and Lord Peter Wimsey.