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Vanity Fair

William Makepeace Thackeray,

John Carey (Editor)

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May 27, 2022 Henry Avila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The premise I believe that Mr. William Makepeace Thackeray reveals here in his accomplished novel Vanity Fair is people are complex , yet still they strive for their own self- interest above everything, all else is irrevelant. Our Becky (Rebecca) Sharp is a prime example of this fact she goes too far in climbing the ladder to respectability, lies, cheats and steals to reach goals unattainable if her ways were nominal. A poor orphan when the teenager married Captain Rawdon Crawley lacking intelli The premise I believe that Mr. William Makepeace Thackeray reveals here in his accomplished novel Vanity Fair is people are complex , yet still they strive for their own self- interest above everything, all else is irrevelant. Our Becky (Rebecca) Sharp is a prime example of this fact she goes too far in climbing the ladder to respectability, lies, cheats and steals to reach goals unattainable if her ways were nominal. A poor orphan when the teenager married Captain Rawdon Crawley lacking intelligence though, nonetheless from a wealthy family before the decisive battle of Waterloo, Napoleon's last bloody struggle. And her maybe friend Amelia Sedley also of the consequence becomes widowed to a man who loved another, Becky, no surprise unfaithful husband George Osborne. A tiger cannot change his stripes and this truism applies to our anti- heroine Becky most emphatically as she enters High Society.These people spend money they can't afford just to give the impression of limitless riches which few have but debts acquired, a silly condition in order to deceive the quite pompous empty lives of their fellow hypocrites trying to show how great it is to be them, in opulent parties, if only the public knew the reality. The numerous people fall for the concept and many will regret this fallacy like Becky however the family of her estranged husband hates her with a passion and disowns the pretentious woman, here the writer shows his knowledge of England. The impoverished Amelia disliked by her father-in- law with her little son George, pines for her late mate while Captain William Dobbin loves her but is rejected feeling guilty, she. Mr.Thackeray's best book gives a glimpse into the human character warts and all, the good and bad not the superficial but the authentic, this is quite refreshing. A European tour after the war by Amelia tells us her situation has improved and meeting Becky in a small German town not very comfortable for them however a place which helps both reach their ultimate destiny. The fun if that is the proper word in Vanity Fair (this the correct title) as Miss Becky Sharp manipulates those who deserve to be fooled by the smart, pretty girl who for a time gave the mirage of being one of their kind. Not quite an honest person but neither were the so called elites and we the countless reader are the delighted benefactors. ...more

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Aug 10, 2010 Shea rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics-challenge, historical-fiction

I enjoyed this classic novel but at times it really dragged. I may never have finished it if I had not joined the discussion of the book on the "Reading the Chunksters" group. Since the characters are supposed to be "puppets on a stage" and it is somewhat of a morality tale most of the characters are not very likable. Some are downright detestable but at least they are interesting. Thackeray is an astute observer of human nature and is cynical about what he sees. I appreciated that the female ch ...more

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Aug 03, 2013 Amélie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 19th-century, classics, romance

It's long, and very slow, but definitely worth the read. The characters are quite interesting, and I loved the narrator's tone. I really liked following Becky and Amelia in their ups and downs, and it's all very well linked to 19th century history. The male characters were also interesting, especially Rawdon in his evolution. ...more

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