Hi there! I JUST finished reading this book last night after several solid weeks, and was delighted to find your review of this incredible masterpiece of writing. I agreed with your every observation and the book helped me to understand so much of my own experience. But what a study in psychology of Victorian values and some of the worst parent/child relationships imaginable! I agree with your comments on Dickens's writing in the emotional scenes, they were so profound and utterly beautiful. Thankyou for your great review. I think it has become my favourite of Dickens's novels.
Woooo so glad you enjoyed it so much! It's such an incredible book. The parent-child relationships are so interesting, and Edith is AMAZING. I am so excited to reread it.
I'm really pleased to hear that you liked Dombey and Son. I read the book alongside listening to the audiobook last Victober and sadly it didn't do it for me. I might revisit it in future, because there's every chance it wasn't the right time for me to read the book, and I may appreciate it more upon a second reading.
Your videos are so charming! Katie all but convinced my to read Dombey, but you have the distinction of pushing me over the cliff to actually do it, I think. Thanks. Thank you as well for your concentration on gender and parenting.
It has been a while since I read the novel but have just finished watching the 1983 television dramatisation. Thank you for sharing your thoughts , Time I re-read it.
Thanks for your review. There are a couple of points where I'd take issue with what you say. Firstly the supposed absence of "flamboyant extravagant characters". It may be that the book isn't peppered with them but I'm surprised you missed out Captain Cuttle who is as flamboyant and extravagant as they come and, I think, one of the funniest and most endearing characters Dickens wrote. Shout out too for Mr Toots who is also a great source of humour in the work. Secondly, on Edith, you go along with the standard feminist portrayal of her as this gutsy heroine willing to stand up to the wicked men in her life, but I don't think it is quite a clear cut as that. For one thing, we only have her word for it that she was as manipulated and as exploited as she says she was by her mother. All we know when we first meet her is that she is a seemingly respectable widow from a first marriage that ended in tragedy (including the death of her son) and which might have been perfectly good for her while it lasted. I also question her motives in marrying Dombey. She says that it is in effect to take her off the "market" where she feels she has been abused. If so, however, why does she so stridently set out to bring the marriage to an early end once she is in it? I understand that Dombey behaves like a tyrant towards her, but I am guessing that if she is as smart as her fans make her out to be, she could have pretty well worked out that that was his character before she married him. I think a darker explanation of Edith's behaviour is that she married Dombey knowing that it was her intention of finding a way to break and humiliate him - something she finally achieves though not unassisted - and that she was thereby in some way revenging herself on the world that she feels had mistreated her. Dombey, it might be said, deserved to be broken and humiliated, but Edith is also I think a rather more serpentine character than a simple gender-strikes-back agenda allows.
Such a great review - and your editing is hilarious! *A Christmas Carol* is the only Dickens I have read (I know!), so I'm excited to read *Great Expectations* for Victober.
Jessica Dill I love his books. Great Expectations is a great place to start as is David Copperfield but David Copperfield is almost 1000 pages long! 😀😀😀
This made me very excited to read this! I’m actually going to re-read Oliver Twist for Victober I think, but I really want to start reading through Dickens cannon since I’ve read about 3 of his works in the past.
Came across a line from the book in the movie "MR HARRIGAN'S PHONE" and promised to read it. However, I have been procrastinating ever since. With the insight from this review, there is no doubt I will read it.
This was a wonderful review! I definitely need to read more Dickens. I've already committed to doing a buddy read of Little Dorrit (which seems just as long), but now I want to read Dombey and Son.
I read this 2 or 3 years ago because I was interested in the place of the wetnurse (because I've written about breastfeeding) and that's a really interesting relationship in the book. It's very feminist for it's time, but I just really struggle with Dickens' writing and it took me a couple of months to plough through it.
Great review Tom❤️. Its another book you have sold me on, although maybe I won't rush to it as it is such a beast but I look forward to it when I do have some more time Xxx
Dombey and Son is my favorite Dickens out of the nine I have read. I loved your commentary on the more positive role of surrogate parents and how it differs from how Dickens writes biological parents in this novel. I haven't picked my #Victober Dickens yet, but it might be a re-re-reread of Great Expectations.
Karen Beth Strovas thank you so much 😊 I found the parental relationships so interesting! So excited for Victober. Great Expectations will be a fab re-read!
Dombey & Son is on my TBR for sometime this year. You made it sound so interesting, I might read it sooner than later. Just started reading The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins.
@@tomreadsthings7145 I've read all of Wilkie Collins' novels. They are all page turners with no boring parts. Start with " The Dead Secret" which isnt that long than read "The Woman in White". No Name,Armadale, and the Moonstone are his other great Novels.
I read it many years ago and have even seen a one evening play based on it - where there was a lot of going to Royal Leamington Spa. My feeling it that its title is misleading because of what happens in chapter 16 - the original full title is much better: "Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail and for Exportation" - making the name clearly the name of the company and not the primary relationship in the book. Well done for finishing it - it took me longer but that was because I have a tendency to read more than one book at a time.
John Warner wow it is impressive to condense this novel down into a play! I bet it was great. I wish I could read more than one book at a time but my focus and concentration (or lack of) doesn’t allow it
@@tomreadsthings7145 It was very hectic a play and they had a little train that ran in a circle to represent the train journeys - the new type of travel at the time.
Hi there! I JUST finished reading this book last night after several solid weeks, and was delighted to find your review of this incredible masterpiece of writing. I agreed with your every observation and the book helped me to understand so much of my own experience. But what a study in psychology of Victorian values and some of the worst parent/child relationships imaginable! I agree with your comments on Dickens's writing in the emotional scenes, they were so profound and utterly beautiful. Thankyou for your great review. I think it has become my favourite of Dickens's novels.
Absolute masterpiece that transcends time in its themes and characterisations.....underrated! a superb piece
Woooo so glad you enjoyed it so much! It's such an incredible book. The parent-child relationships are so interesting, and Edith is AMAZING. I am so excited to reread it.
Books and Things it was sooo good! Love love love Edith and adore/hate Mr Carker...such a wonderful Dickensian villain!
I'm really pleased to hear that you liked Dombey and Son. I read the book alongside listening to the audiobook last Victober and sadly it didn't do it for me. I might revisit it in future, because there's every chance it wasn't the right time for me to read the book, and I may appreciate it more upon a second reading.
Charles Heathcote I can totally see how it is not for everyone 👍🏻📚
Your videos are so charming! Katie all but convinced my to read Dombey, but you have the distinction of pushing me over the cliff to actually do it, I think. Thanks. Thank you as well for your concentration on gender and parenting.
Hannah's Books thank you so much I really hope you enjoy it 😊
It has been a while since I read the novel but have just finished watching the 1983 television dramatisation. Thank you for sharing your thoughts , Time I re-read it.
Thanks for your review. There are a couple of points where I'd take issue with what you say.
Firstly the supposed absence of "flamboyant extravagant characters". It may be that the book isn't peppered with them but I'm surprised you missed out Captain Cuttle who is as flamboyant and extravagant as they come and, I think, one of the funniest and most endearing characters Dickens wrote. Shout out too for Mr Toots who is also a great source of humour in the work.
Secondly, on Edith, you go along with the standard feminist portrayal of her as this gutsy heroine willing to stand up to the wicked men in her life, but I don't think it is quite a clear cut as that. For one thing, we only have her word for it that she was as manipulated and as exploited as she says she was by her mother. All we know when we first meet her is that she is a seemingly respectable widow from a first marriage that ended in tragedy (including the death of her son) and which might have been perfectly good for her while it lasted. I also question her motives in marrying Dombey. She says that it is in effect to take her off the "market" where she feels she has been abused. If so, however, why does she so stridently set out to bring the marriage to an early end once she is in it? I understand that Dombey behaves like a tyrant towards her, but I am guessing that if she is as smart as her fans make her out to be, she could have pretty well worked out that that was his character before she married him.
I think a darker explanation of Edith's behaviour is that she married Dombey knowing that it was her intention of finding a way to break and humiliate him - something she finally achieves though not unassisted - and that she was thereby in some way revenging herself on the world that she feels had mistreated her. Dombey, it might be said, deserved to be broken and humiliated, but Edith is also I think a rather more serpentine character than a simple gender-strikes-back agenda allows.
Such a great review - and your editing is hilarious! *A Christmas Carol* is the only Dickens I have read (I know!), so I'm excited to read *Great Expectations* for Victober.
Lu G thank you so much 😊 I hope you enjoy GE
I have yet to read any of Dickens' novels but your review is making me want to rework my Victober tbr to try and squeeze one in!
Jessica Dill I love his books. Great Expectations is a great place to start as is David Copperfield but David Copperfield is almost 1000 pages long! 😀😀😀
oh, i'm so glad you loved it! I'll be rereading it for Victober. It is the only Dickens that made me cry.
radiantchristina it is so great 😀
This made me very excited to read this! I’m actually going to re-read Oliver Twist for Victober I think, but I really want to start reading through Dickens cannon since I’ve read about 3 of his works in the past.
Rainey Day Reads it is great I hope you enjoy it! I really want to get to Oliver Twist soon 😀
Came across a line from the book in the movie "MR HARRIGAN'S PHONE" and promised to read it. However, I have been procrastinating ever since. With the insight from this review, there is no doubt I will read it.
I need to read this, great review of it.. You help me pick what historical fiction books to get 😍
Novelle Novels 😀😀😀 we need to do a historical fiction buddy read Emily! Maybe in December?
Tom Reads Things oh that’s a great idea.. You can pick 😁😁😁😁
I was going to read A Tale of Two Cities for Victober but I am now pumped to read this 😀
Berna's Bookish Adventures yay I really hope you enjoy it 😀👍🏻📚
This was a wonderful review! I definitely need to read more Dickens. I've already committed to doing a buddy read of Little Dorrit (which seems just as long), but now I want to read Dombey and Son.
Blatantly Bookish ooohh I hope you love Little Dorrit. I definitely need to re-read that one
Enjoyed your review Tom. Wetted my appetite to read more dickens thank you
Richard Farley thank you 😊 when are you starting your channel? 👍🏻📚
I read this 2 or 3 years ago because I was interested in the place of the wetnurse (because I've written about breastfeeding) and that's a really interesting relationship in the book. It's very feminist for it's time, but I just really struggle with Dickens' writing and it took me a couple of months to plough through it.
Emma Rosen Books ahh yes thats really interesting the role Mrs Richards plays. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great review Tom❤️. Its another book you have sold me on, although maybe I won't rush to it as it is such a beast but I look forward to it when I do have some more time Xxx
Charlie Brook thanks Charlie 😊 its bloody huge!!!!
Dombey and Son is my favorite Dickens out of the nine I have read. I loved your commentary on the more positive role of surrogate parents and how it differs from how Dickens writes biological parents in this novel. I haven't picked my #Victober Dickens yet, but it might be a re-re-reread of Great Expectations.
Karen Beth Strovas thank you so much 😊 I found the parental relationships so interesting! So excited for Victober. Great Expectations will be a fab re-read!
I love this book.
i have read and loved "dombey and son" and it was a joy to revisit it in your delightful review.
curious hmm thank you so much thats really kind 😊
Dombey & Son is on my TBR for sometime this year. You made it sound so interesting, I might read it sooner than later. Just started reading The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins.
Cardenio2012 oohh I really want to read some Wilkie Collins! Not read any of his work before 👍🏻
@@tomreadsthings7145 I've read all of Wilkie Collins' novels. They are all page turners with no boring parts. Start with " The Dead Secret" which isnt that long than read "The Woman in White". No Name,Armadale, and the Moonstone are his other great Novels.
My brain auto finishes your opening line "Hello everybody, welcome back to Tom Reads Things. My name is Tom AND I READ THINGS". EVERY. TIME.
Jana HAHA maybe I should change it to that! 😂
It took me two months to finish...
I read it many years ago and have even seen a one evening play based on it - where there was a lot of going to Royal Leamington Spa.
My feeling it that its title is misleading because of what happens in chapter 16 - the original full title is much better: "Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail and for Exportation" - making the name clearly the name of the company and not the primary relationship in the book.
Well done for finishing it - it took me longer but that was because I have a tendency to read more than one book at a time.
John Warner wow it is impressive to condense this novel down into a play! I bet it was great. I wish I could read more than one book at a time but my focus and concentration (or lack of) doesn’t allow it
@@tomreadsthings7145 It was very hectic a play and they had a little train that ran in a circle to represent the train journeys - the new type of travel at the time.