Customer Reviews

CliffsNotes on Dickens' Pickwick Papers

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The only possible criticism I have is that the book is a wee bit long. But would you mind receiving an overly long exquisitely turned umbrella from 1840? ( I wouln't either). In fairness to the muses, this book is magical. The word "Pickwickian" has come to signify an easy liberality and conscientiousness and that's what the Pickwick Club is all about. The members of the club run into contretemps but they ride them out without rancor or despair. In fact, the redemption, the payoff, in reading this novel is watching the Pickwickians deal with whatever besets them intelligently and optimistically...naturally. It's like watching a swallow fly on a windy day. No sweat.

Allright. Maybe this was not a masterpiece, but it WAS excellent. A knowledge of "The Pickwick Papers" (1837) is vital for understanding Dickens. Not only was this his first novel, but it also shows that Dickens had the ability to create comedy as well as tragic drama. If we do not expose ourselves to Dickens' comical side, we are depriving ourselves of a major aspect of Dickens. Also, the unquestionable friendship between Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller is very touching. Between the comedy and touching moments, this novel demonstrates that even as Dickens wrote his first novel he was full of magnificent talent.