Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Review of Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

This review was written by Eugene Kernes

Book can be found in:
Genre = Novel, History

Short Description


Elaborate Description

A story with humor and character.  The vanities that the characters portray is a reflection about the aristocracy during the time period.  A society based on gossip.  Pretensions to being privy of information while trying to obtain the information.  The wooing and misleading behaviors are given their due.  The focus appears on the vicissitudes of fortune and how they are dealt with.  Holding on to perceptions rather than adjusting them to reality.  The mannerisms in which people deceive themselves and others about the extent of their means and abilities.

Sometimes the author provides a synopsis of what has happened, as a reminder given that this book was originally a series.  Generally a tedious read.


Questions to Consider while Reading the Book

What is the raison d’etre of the book?  For what purpose did the author write the book?
What are some vicissitudes in this book?
Why do people seem to change when married?  Why are their partners hesitant to accept that change?  
Why is the book called Vanity Fair?
What makes the aristocracy vain? 
Are the characters in this story noble? 
Why do people deceive themselves and others? 

Book Details
Edition ISBN:  9781411433403
Pages to read:   881
Publication:     2009
1st Edition:      1847
Format:           eBook

Ratings out of 5:
Readability    2
Content          1
Overall           1