~Nicholas Nickleby – A Review

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I did mean to get a new post up sooner… As my fourth book in last Summer’s European Literature reading, I read Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

The Author:

Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England on February 7, 1812. He and his wife Catherine, whom he married in 1836, had ten children. His first novel appears to have been “The Pickwick Papers” published in monthly installments in the year 1836. He was a prolific writer and wrote many novels including, “Bleak House”, “A Tale of Two Cities” and “Martin Chuzzlewit”. Besides his novels he also wrote short stories, poetry and plays. He died on June 9, 1870 at the very young age of 58.

Technical Details:
Nicholas Nickleby was originally published in monthly installments between the years of 1838 and 1839. It was his third of many novels. The version I read was published in 2005 by Barnes and Noble Classics, given to me by my little sister. The book was 64 chapters long and had 802 pages, including the short preface and the table of contents, which I confess, I did not read at all. The beginning holds an Introduction written by Jill Muller and a timeline of Mr. Dickens life which I skimmed part of, but really didn’t read either. (It contained many spoilers!) The back of the book has a selection of comments and questions written about the book, by several people. (And, no, if you are wondering – I didn’t read these either!) The alternate title for this book, (and as far as I understand it, the original title) is The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

The Story:
Nicholas Nickleby, a young man of nineteen, has recently lost his father. He has an education and a much loved mother and sister to support. Nicholas is ready and willing to do whatever work is required to provide for himself and his family, but having never been required to work a day in his life, he has no idea how to do it. This book follows young Nicholas as he with his equally young and easily trusting sister Kate are thrown into the realities of the “real world”. A greedy uncle, filled with contempt for his extended relations, and near hatred for his nephew, separates the young man from his family, sending Nicholas to Yorkshire. Working at a miserable little school for a malicious man, Nicholas despises most of what goes on around him. When he saves another young man from a cruel and unjust beating, Nicholas decides that he must leave, and sets out alone and on foot. Alone, that is, until Smike, the poor boy that he rescued finds him and joins Nicholas in his travels. The reader follows the two travelers as they encounter trials, enemies and new friends. Kate Nickleby, living alone with a silly, easily led, though kind and affectionate mother, is ready prey for her Uncle’s avaricious schemes. Various side plots and minor characters fill out this interesting tale from the kindly Cheeryble Brothers to the iniquitous Arthur Gride to sweet Madeline Bray.

The Writing Style:
I have read several of Mr. Dicken’s works and his style truly does vary, depending on the book. Nicholas Nickleby is written in his “lighter” style. Satire is used prolifically, especially where it describes hypocritical or common, predictable words or behavior. The book is written in third person, like many, though not all of Mr. Dickens books. For the most part, the story flows well, with few descriptive interruptions. He does get a little longwinded at times, but not often in this particular book.

The Characters:
All the main characters were strong and well written. The Cheeryble brothers were as kindly and generous as Ralph Nickleby was self-centered and avaricious. The cast of minor characters ranged with how well you got to know them. In true Dickens style, most of the minor characters had their own side-plots that really had very little to do with the story surrounding Nicholas and his family. Usually the side stories only took up a chapter or two, giving to the reader a deeper knowledge of these minor characters, as well as letting us see the main characters interact with them in insignificant ways. While some people might find the seeming rabbit trails annoying or dull, I found them intriguing and insightful.

As to my favorite character, Nicholas was on the top of my list. Though certainly not perfect, Nicholas was characterized by being fiercely protective of his mother and sister, a hard, diligent worker and a brave man, who was always ready to do the right thing. Though he is my favorite, any one of the three Cheerybles or Kate Nickleby, are very close. I liked Kate’s sweet, longsuffering disposition and the Cheerybles were among the most cheerful, generous characters in the book.

Caution:
There is some mild language to watch for, almost, if not always, coming from the antagonists.

Conclusion:
I really enjoyed Nicholas Nickleby, even more than I thought I would. The only drawback would be that it took me close to a month to read the entire thing. Even with that, I will probably read it again sometime and I would certainly recommend it.

 

To the KING be all the glory!