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Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Disjointed DickensBy HHAlthough not quite the equal of the great late work "Hard Times"; this last completed novel of Charles Dickens has much to recommend it. "Our Mutual Friend" is particularly memorable for its symbolism; the way it uses a series of "dust mounds" (huge heterogeneous piles of waste; primarily of cinders and ash; waiting to be recycled as bricks) owned by the "Golden Dustman" to represent great fortunes; their barrenness and avarice; and their harmful effects on an increasingly money-mad society. Another of the most prevalent symbols in "Our Mutual Friend" is that of the River Thames; and the river is linked to major themes of the novel; rebirth and renewal. Water is seen as a sign of new life; and associated by the Christian Church with the sacrament of Baptism."Our Mutual Friend" also contains -- as does all Dickens -- a range of vivid scenes and memorable characters: harrowing glimpses of riverfront lowlife contrasted with wonderful comic scenes of nouveau riche display; a particularly vicious pair of married grifters; an ambiguous young lawyer and dandy who turns out to be something like a hero; and (perhaps a late apology for Fagin) an evil goy moneylender who uses a kindly Jew as a front. Characters like John Harmon and Eugene Wrayburn end up in the waters of the river; and come out reborn as new men. Wrayburn emerges from the river on his deathbed; but is ready to marry Lizzie to save her reputation. He surprises everyone; including himself; when he survives and goes on to have a loving marriage with Lizzie. John Harmon also appears to end up in the river through no fault of his own; and when Gaffer pulls his "body" out of the waters; he adopts the alias of John Rokesmith. This alias is for his own safety and peace of mind; he wants to know that he can do things on his own; and does not need his fathers name or money to make a good life for himself.One reason this novel has gained in popularity during the last century is that it is as close as Dickens ever gets to a meta-fiction. The reading and interpretations of various texts -- exemplified by Silas Weggs oral reading of Gibbons "Decline and Fall" to the illiterate Noddy Boffin; and their subsequent discussions -- is an important metaphor here.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Abridged is not always bestBy Loni GeeI love Dickens! And; I thoroughly enjoyed this audio edition of the book; the reader was fantastic with his many voices and his great inflections; he did a superb job.Having said that; however; I need to add that I wish I had listened to the unabridged version; even though its much longer. Heres why: some of the characters are missing in this version. And; of course; some of the little plot twists are not covered. While I love listening to audio books (it makes exercising so much more tolerable!); I need to remember that where Dickens is concerned; its best to listen to the entire book...I mean; whats the hurry when I need to keep exercising anyway??!?!?!Now; about the book itself; it is not my favorite. Fro me; the characters were not as intriguing as they are in Bleak House - still one of my favorites. The plot line is not as engaging.However; true to form; Dickens has some of the most classic lines ever written; as in; "Why aint you ugly?" Now; that caused me to laugh out loud!Or how about this section: "As is well known to the wise in their generation; traffic in Shares is the one thing to have to do with in this world. Have no antecedents; no established character; no cultivation; no ideas; no manners; have Shares. Have Shares enough to be on Boards of Direction in capital letters; oscillate on mysterious business between London and Paris; and be great. Where does he come from? Shares. Where is he going to? Shares. What are his tastes? Shares. Has he any principles? Shares. What squeezes him into Parliament? Shares. Perhaps he never of himself achieved success in anything; never originated anything; never produced anything? Sufficient answer to all; Shares. O mighty Shares!"Or the lovely heroine; Bella who proclaims: "I have made up my mind; Pa; that I must have money. And I feel that since I cannot beg; borrow; or steal it; I am resolved; I must marry it!"I think Dickens is sheer genius in his writing. And; he knows the human heart in terms of the power of money over some people. Money is such a theme in this book; we see it in the Lemmles; Riderhood; Veneerings; etc. And; even in Bella Wilfer; who does change her mind about the value of love over money as the story progresses.I recommend listening to an audio version; but be sure to go for the unabridged. And; I highly recommend Dickens; for me; theres not many to compare.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. My favorite Dickens novelBy MissEThis book is long; grim and a tougher read than even most of Dickens other novels; but it is by far the best. While Dickens is known for his life-like quirky characters; youll find plenty of well-developed and complex characters to root for and against in Our Mutual Friend. The writing and plot are also wonderful. It is a shame this book is eclipsed by lesser works such as Great Expectations and does not garner the attention it deserves.