tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post6604546816976851697..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace ThackerayBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-61509749367281560492018-02-22T05:30:46.483-05:002018-02-22T05:30:46.483-05:00Hi Sheree - Thanks for stopping by and commenting....Hi Sheree - Thanks for stopping by and commenting. <br /><br />Your interpretation of the characters in this book may be getting at an entirely different level then I got at. Perhaps the so called virtuous characters were dull and self righteous. It is an intriguing way to look at this story. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-50661306106312758612018-02-21T18:35:15.642-05:002018-02-21T18:35:15.642-05:00Oooh, some really interesting thoughts here! It...Oooh, some really interesting thoughts here! It's funny, I didn't get the impression that Thackeray was quite as kind to Amelia and Dobbin as you suggest. Perhaps it's just my bias as a reader (because I found both characters awfully dull and resented their moralising and martyrdom - maybe I'm more of a "Becky"? haha), but I thought, for instance, their lack of a "happy ending" (they go on to lead quite boring, miserable lives if I remember correctly) might have been Thackeray's way of saying that being "virtuous" isn't the be all and end all. It's really interesting to see how we all read these classics differently, thank you so much for sharing your review!Shereehttps://www.keepingupwiththepenguins.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-73509835353890949112017-11-21T16:09:13.191-05:002017-11-21T16:09:13.191-05:00Hi Jane - It is indeed a book worth loving. If you...Hi Jane - It is indeed a book worth loving. If you reread it and post about it I look forward to reading your thoughts on it. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16062784185587246642017-11-21T15:06:09.639-05:002017-11-21T15:06:09.639-05:00I love this book--so glad you read it! I've re...I love this book--so glad you read it! I've read it three times, and enjoy it more each time. The Victorians group at GoodReads is considering it for a January readalong, and I will most likely join in. So much to consider, dissect, and enjoy.<br /><br />I love the narrator--yes, the tone is sardonic, but you are right, he spares those who are truly worthy.<br />JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-70552183211704999912017-11-10T17:37:57.349-05:002017-11-10T17:37:57.349-05:00Hi Hila - Though I am wondering if there is any ir...Hi Hila - Though I am wondering if there is any irony in that passage, Amelia's personality is kind to everyone and is meek. In so some ways she is a doormat. If this is ironic it is making fun of the way that she is. There may be things going on in multiple levels in this book. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-77249030178989996142017-11-10T13:57:19.997-05:002017-11-10T13:57:19.997-05:00Definitely on my reading list. Interesting, that p...Definitely on my reading list. Interesting, that passage you excerpt about Amelia's humility does sound like it has a mocking tone, though maybe because I'm not reading it yet as part of the whole book. Humility is important (and there's too little of it) but being an utterly self-effacing doormat is also not good (though it was an ideal pushed on women). In general, I like finding kind characters who don't have to be written as saints or angels to convey their kindness.<br /><br />As for the excerpt about the family portrait - wow, that is cutting and rings true for things I see now too. The narrator also sounds interesting.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-40827996203017510632017-11-09T08:47:11.540-05:002017-11-09T08:47:11.540-05:00Hi Baili - So much of literature is concerned with...Hi Baili - So much of literature is concerned with issues of right and wrong as well as virtue and lack of virtue.<br /><br />Thackeray wrote a lot of books but none reached the level of fame as this one. I have not written anything else by him. <br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-26286146788514589742017-11-09T02:43:19.943-05:002017-11-09T02:43:19.943-05:00Sounds really appealing as basically story about c...Sounds really appealing as basically story about common people with common situations always attract me more.<br />clashes between right and wrong and struggle among virtues and flaws is so appealing to me .<br />i have to dig little more about writer ,may be can find such more topics from him.<br />though according to your own opinion you revealed less of this great novel yet whatever is told ,is told so wonderfully and provokes to find and read the book bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-65810355718462450612017-11-08T16:15:44.121-05:002017-11-08T16:15:44.121-05:00Thanks Maria - The prose style in this book is rea...Thanks Maria - The prose style in this book is really special. It is entertaining and funny at times, at other times it is terribly sad. These contrasts work very well together. <br /><br />I was just reading about the Thackeray and Charlotte Bronte myself. I always find it interesting when great writers talk about each other. Have a great day! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-65432569514424701512017-11-08T13:24:02.664-05:002017-11-08T13:24:02.664-05:00BRILLIANT analysis as usual, Brian!!
Reading your...BRILLIANT analysis as usual, Brian!!<br /><br />Reading your very insightful post, I am now full of regret that I have actually never been that interested in reading this book. It sounds SO fascinating! <br /><br />I love how Amelia's and Dobbin's moral, decent behavior is contrasted with that of the other, very flawed characters. Although these two have their own flaws, as you pointed out, they are still people to be held up as exemplary. And I think you're right -- with these two characters, Thackeray is giving the reader a glimpse of his own values and worldview. <br /><br />The two quotes you have included show that Thackeray's prose is EXCELLENT. I can see why this book is considered a classic! Indeed it is! <br /><br />Another thing that now makes me want to read this novel is that I've just remembered that Thackeray was one of Charlotte Brontë's biggest literary heroes! In fact, I did a bit of Googling, and found out more -- he praised "Jane Eyre" when it was first published, and in gratitude, Brontë dedicated the second edition of her masterpiece to him. <br /><br />So this will be my first (early, I know, lol) New Year's resolution: read "Vanity Fair"!!<br /><br />Thanks for your incisive commentary!! HAPPY WEDNESDAY!! <3 :)<br /> Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-66367650744512463122017-11-07T16:12:16.293-05:002017-11-07T16:12:16.293-05:00Hi Caroline- I try to be careful with spoiler warn...Hi Caroline- I try to be careful with spoiler warnings :) If you read this, I would love to know what you thought. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-6878056847298146622017-11-07T09:52:02.422-05:002017-11-07T09:52:02.422-05:00I didn’t read your whole review as this is one of ...I didn’t read your whole review as this is one of the classics I reall want to read. I’m glad you liked it so much.<br />Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-48819111653677371802017-11-07T05:11:53.601-05:002017-11-07T05:11:53.601-05:00Hi Sharon - Oh yes! Cathy from East of Eden was so...Hi Sharon - Oh yes! Cathy from East of Eden was some character. She really was in class by herself. One of the most malevolent out there.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-39142201774204612732017-11-06T16:57:18.372-05:002017-11-06T16:57:18.372-05:00Sorry, Brian. I meant East of Eden.Sorry, Brian. I meant East of Eden.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-4153661705575263082017-11-06T15:53:46.591-05:002017-11-06T15:53:46.591-05:00Thanks Sharon. I think there are people like Becky...Thanks Sharon. I think there are people like Becky out there. But luckily they are rare. I also do not think much of her as a person, but what a literary character! <br /><br />I really need to read The Grapes of Wrath. <br /><br /><br />Have a great week! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-85557056963697977642017-11-06T15:17:15.877-05:002017-11-06T15:17:15.877-05:00Great review, Brian.
I read this book a year or s...Great review, Brian.<br /><br />I read this book a year or so ago and found it much as you said. The most fascinating character of course is Becky. She's simply amazing in her ability to connive and her cruelty reminds me a lot of the female anti-hero in Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. Are there really people who spend their lives trying to use and abuse others? I'm sure there are but I hope I don't fall into their clutches.<br /><br />I agree with Mudpuddle that the characters can stretch towards the grotesque (and I agree with you that Dickens was worse at that) but at the same time I think he was pulling people out of proportion in order to better present us with the foibles of human nature and how the system back then was set up.<br /><br />On the one hand Becky is a horrible person, on the other hand she could be seen as a survivor who figured out how the system was rigged.<br /><br />I still hated her.<br /><br />Have a great week!Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-23867246465345869032017-11-06T12:53:32.235-05:002017-11-06T12:53:32.235-05:00Hi Susan - First Person Peripheral is interesting....Hi Susan - First Person Peripheral is interesting. Amelia and Becky are friends for a good part of the book. Amelia eventually sees though the harm that Becky is doing. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-82896341867917037412017-11-06T11:08:44.221-05:002017-11-06T11:08:44.221-05:00Hi Brian, I too will have to read up from Wiki on...Hi Brian, I too will have to read up from Wiki on First Person Peripheral as I'm not familiar with it. You make this classic sound very good. I have not read it but wonder do Becky and Amelia know one another? Are they friends? They seem very juxtaposed in the story. cheers.thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-64418710346889834512017-11-05T06:55:15.443-05:002017-11-05T06:55:15.443-05:00Hi Deepika - I also had never heard of First Perso...Hi Deepika - I also had never heard of First Person Peripheral. There u=is a Wikipedia entry on it here that includes examples of other writers who have used it<br /><br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-person_narrative. <br /><br />The narrator of this book is truly one of the highlights of this book. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-69445334187622224132017-11-05T04:18:25.814-05:002017-11-05T04:18:25.814-05:00Thank you for this illuminating review, Brian. Unr...Thank you for this illuminating review, Brian. Unreliable narrators are my favourite. I have never heard of 'First Person Peripheral'. I will do some homework to see if the technique was employed by any other writers. I am beginning to brace myself to read classics because of encouraging reviews like yours. Thank you again. Deepika Rameshhttps://newfracturedlight.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24758823348506628022017-11-04T10:38:31.701-04:002017-11-04T10:38:31.701-04:00Hi JoAnn- In terms of plot there is so much going ...Hi JoAnn- In terms of plot there is so much going on in this book. That is one reason I like to hone in on something in particular that interests me. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-58127270245036831832017-11-04T10:36:00.373-04:002017-11-04T10:36:00.373-04:00Thanks Jacqui. It is striking howl Becky Sharp is ...Thanks Jacqui. It is striking howl Becky Sharp is well known and influential. Characters like her have indeed become part of our culture. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52428146755116704052017-11-04T10:31:30.579-04:002017-11-04T10:31:30.579-04:00Hi Carol - Dobbins was very interesting. Though vi...Hi Carol - Dobbins was very interesting. Though virtuous he was weak just did not assert himself enough. He eventually realized this himself. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-20894148062655228272017-11-04T07:29:05.986-04:002017-11-04T07:29:05.986-04:00This is one of those novels that is almost impossi...This is one of those novels that is almost impossible to review... so many characters, plots, and subplots, you can't possibly cover it all! I read this as part of a readalong a few years ago and, surprisingly, found it both readable and enjoyable. As usual, I enjoyed reading your post.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-23945778210706774822017-11-04T04:14:01.301-04:002017-11-04T04:14:01.301-04:00I recently read something where one of the charact...I recently read something where one of the characters was described as a bit of a Becky Sharp. Even though I'm not very familiar with Thackeray's novel, I knew enough to understand that the character in question was rather cynical and manipulative. It's interesting how some figures in literature can have a 'life' or meaning beyond the context of their original story. Great commentary as ever, Brian. JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.com