Classics > D Classics

David Copperfield

Advantages: An exhilirating novel from arguably England's finest author of all time.
Disadvantages: In some parts there are long passges of descriptive writing

...literay interest, the method of character portrayal achieved in this book is fascinating and hard to define. As always the main character of the novel is the less colourful of all those around him. In conclusion if one is ever going to read Dickens, David Copperfied is a must. ...

JohnParkinson 03.07.2006 · Read full review
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Review of David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

Not revolutionary but a beautiful book

Advantages: How can I justify Joyce in an advantages and disadvantages section?
Disadvantages: Don't be silly - its James Joyce

I may be a bit biased because I am a Joyce fanatic. However, this collection of short stories is definitely worth a look. At the time Joyce wrote Dubliners, the short story was the fictional medium to use. Strangely though, although the stories can be read in isolation, some of the richest meanings are gained when the stories are seen as a collection that is both unified and divided. Joyce's early work is seemingly more 'accessible' to the casual ...
...meaness' is seemingly not one of literary 'richness'. However, in reality the richness is all there to be had; its just that the reader needs to extract it. If the stories are read in conjunction then more parallels, 'themes' (although I hate that idea), symbols and ideas become progressively more apparent. However, this is not to say that reading the stories cannot be rewarding first time round. The style is poignant, at times shocking and always ...

lizzie_haycocks 23.02.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Dubliners - James Joyce

A Desperate and Hilarious Remedy!

Advantages: Very funny, enjoyable melodrama
Disadvantages: Not for everyone

Desperate Remedies was written in response to publishers who rejected Thomas Hardy’s first novel, a socio-political story called The Poor Man and The Lady (which was never published and the manuscript was later destroyed by Hardy; a great pity), who wanted a more sensationalist story without the political overtones. The result, although not considered one of Hardy’s best works, is a delightful Victorian melodrama that’s extremely entertaining. The ...
...but as she grows more desperate she is forced to advertise her services as a maid and is offered a job by the mysterious Miss Aldclyffe. Miss Aldclyffe is heiress to Knapwater, currently in possession of her elderly father. She is resolutely single and of an indeterminate age – she looks younger than she actually is and tries to obscure her true age. She takes a liking to Cytherea and sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Cytherea being ...

DoubleFantasy11 06.08.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Desperate Remedies - Thomas Hardy

Don't Scoot On By

Advantages: Very desriptive and emotional writing
Disadvantages: Some of his character names

...is his second novel. Scooter Reilly is a young child in 1960s New York, inheriting his unfortunate name from the former Yankees player Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto. It's a time of historical change for the country and a major change in the Bronx where Scooter and his family live. It's a time of great change for Scooter himself, as when he is four his grandfather has a nasty accident that costs him an eye. Soon after, his father and grandfather become estranged ...
...steals from Scooter first his baseball playing dreams and then, after another nasty accident, his ability to walk properly. As if his name wasn't enough to cope with, Scooter's life never seems to take the easy path. He finally finds someone who can love him, but first his mother and then her brother comes between them. He is frequently in fights, some of which he wins, but mostly not. His only solace is the grandfather he is forbidden to visit, ...

Soho_Black 03.12.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Scooter - Mick Foley

Of Mice and Men

Advantages: Very moving
Disadvantages: none

...upon year. The overall premise of the novella is that no matter how much one plans, hopes an dreams, sometimes fate is against us. Using a line from a Robert Burn's poem, Steinbeck uses the image of mice and men being two entirely different creatures in terms of size and strength, however, they are actually similar in terms of wanting a life which is comfortable and full of promise. This is the case for George and Lennie, the two protagonists who ...
...course of the novella, Steinbeck really drives home questions of the 'attainability' of this dream. Through effective characterisation and themes as relevant in now as they were in 1937, Steinbeck has created a classic novel so imbedded in pop culture. If you are looking for something to read in one day and one which reveals life in all its harsh reality, then look no further than "Of Mice and Men". ...

Kennedy1978 16.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck