There are so many things going on it, and although some things are just *too* coincidental, it never fails to grab you into the story. Couple this with the fact that Dickens can draw a wonderful picture of London of his time, and you feel part of the whole thing.

The characters are wonderful as well - my favourites being Quilp, the evil dwarf, and Richard Swiveller (his antics 'working' in the office were always highly amusing).

In short, a real rollercoaster of a novel, thoroughly recommended!!


Old Curiosity Flop   February 13, 2002
 6 out of 21 found this review helpful

Giving this book a rating of 5 stars does a grave disservice to the works of Charles Dickens. The Old Curiosity Shop has, at best, the elements of a fine novel, but does not carry them off. It is choppy, unfocused, maudlin (by even Dickens's standards) and is unsure of its subject. Who is the subject -- Nell, Kit, Dick Swiveler, Quilp -- all of these would make the subject of an interesting sketch, and I dare say this book is a series of sketches, but over 500 pages of these does not a 5-star book make. The 150-or-so pages of Dick Swiveler and the Marchioness are by far the best in this rather dreadful novel and are the saving grace of this otherwise 1-star book. 5 stars; my God, where does that leave Great Expectations, Bleak House, Tale of Two Cities, etc.?


Quite engrossing   July 17, 2001
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

"The Old Curiosty Shop" carries with it a heart-wrenching reputation, and therefore I resolved to read it. This reputation, as with that of it's creator himself, is not misplaced.

Certainly, the novel is not what one would term realistic - there are a few too many happy coincidences for that. However, this shortcoming is completely compensated for by the sheer vividness of the world Dickens creates. Each character can almost be seen by the reader, and simultaneously each evokes their own unique emotion, from passionate hatred to empathy and warmth.

As for it being heart-wrenching, nobody with a soul should be able to read this undeniable classic without being destinctly moved. Like most works by Charles Dickens, "The Old Curiosity Shop" carries with it the irresistible human understaning and quiet wit of it's creator, and as such is a novel that should be read by everybody.