Vanity Fair general thread

I've set this thread up for just general (non-spoiler) comments people might like to make regarding (or not) William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair or the author and perhaps even the introduction of the book. I know a lot of times I like to discuss the merits of a book before I even begin the book---so here you go.
I will be setting up 4 individual threads for this book as it is such a large one. Hope that sets well with all.
And thanx for coming to the party.
belva

Belva, I have decided to re-read Vanity Fair and reacquaint myself with the characters. Shall join you when I have read a borrowed book which must be returned soon. So pleased you are enjoying W.M. Thackeray.

Yes, yes, yes!~!~! I am loving this book and am so happy to have found this group or I never would have even known about it to read it.
belva

I've never read Vanity Fair but I have got a copy in my TBR pile. I'll see if I can find it out and read along.

I have to say I wasn't that impressed with it. Any semblance of excitement waned quite quickly but the characters (almost all utterly unlikeable) trudged on for over 800 pages. It was first published in serial form and it shows. There's no real overall plot, it's just a bunch of stuff that happens to a bunch of people, with some dubious moral lesson about how everybody suffers because of vanity and pride and such emotions. Unlike Dickens' serial novels, it doesn't leave the reader (at least this reader) thirsting for more, just thankful that the chapters are relatively short.
That's not to say it's entirely without merit, it's well-written and the early chapters are quite engaging and it has its moments throughout, but it's overly long and I stopped caring what happened long before I reached the end (where nothing happens).

>5 funkyderek:
Well... I gather you will not be joining in then? :)

#5, while my reaction wasn't quite as strong as yours, I'd say that I essentially agree with you. Becky Sharp is justifiably noted as an interesting character, but the plot goes from focusing on her to ignoring her so often that it's hard to think of her in the same terms as some of the great characters of the era. I hope that Vanity Fair has lots of new fans, but alas I am not among them.