This is a book overflowing with diverse characters and engaging plots that I really enjoyed.
Roger Carbury’s unwavering goodness stood out in a world where such characters are rare. His selflessness was refreshing and heartening to see in a book.
Melmotte’s rise and fall served as a timeless lesson about society’s sway over our perceptions.
Marie’s stand for herself against her father’s schemes was admirable, though Felix’s character was pretty unlikeable.
But what really got to me, especially having gone through recent heartbreak, is Mrs. Hurtle’s story. Her emotional journey felt achingly real and struck a personal chord with me.
Overall, the book offers a mix of humor (think Dolly Longestaffe and the John Crumb trope), life lessons and memorable characters that stick with you. 10/10 would recommend.
What is your favorite plot/who’s your favorite character and why?
I love The Way We Live Now. Melmotte and the exploration of how con artists in the 19th century used people’s greed against them is brilliantly done. It’s such a modern novel - influence, lies, cupidity, business, gossip, fraud and posturing.
I don’t actually like Roger Carbury all that much. It works out all right in the end, but he’s really creepy about Hetta at first. I adore Felix - he’s just one of the best dissolute ne’er do wells in fiction! Lady Carbury is splendidly persistent - she knows she’s not a great writer but she keeps on using her title, her small talent and her feminine wiles to get her as far as she can go. And Mrs Hurtle is magnificent and a bit terrifying.
Everyone is grasping and struggling and I love it.
I think Dickens’ novel Our Mutual Friend hits some of the same notes, but Dickens is much more scathing and personal about it.