Martin Chuzzlewit - Charles Dickens

All of the usual criticisms of Dickens apply more than usual in Martin Chuzzlewit. The goodies are simpering and bland (in particular the nauseating Ruth Pinch), the morality is largely simplistic and the plot rambles around all over the place. The section satirising the "U-nited States" is particularly irritating in all these regards.

Then there are his strengths. Here we find plenty of atmospheric description, some splendidly funny dialogues, and magnificent comic grotesques including the memorably loathsome Mr Pecksniff. Towards the end the story acquires real momentum, and the sense of satisfaction in watching the various narrative strands resolve themselves is genuine and surprising.