Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

Dickens' last complete novel. I think that the influence of Wilkie Collins' success is evident. Dickens' novel has some of the same elements - a mystery (more than one, actually) and unexpected twists and turns in the plot.

It still has Dickens' exceptional treatment of the characters. There are many scenes in which the reader can revel in the details of character and setting - the first scene in the bone articulator's shop, for instance.

But the part of the novel that exasperated me was the plot to test the moral character of Bella Wilfer carried out by Rokesmith and the Boffins. It borders on lying to the reader. It is an intentional deception, at least. Such a deception should be accompanied by clues and symbolism that allow the reader to have a chance at predicting where the plot will turn. I don't think there are any clues here. The Harmon/Handford/Rokesmith complication is amply telegraphed to the reader - it does not come across as an unexpected plot surprise. But the deception to fool Bella also fools the reader and leads to a certain amount of disgust - at least for me.

I really enjoyed the rest of the novel, though. I think it would be much more popular if the unfortunate deception had been altered by Dickens.

Link to Amazon: Our Mutual Friend (Modern Library Classics)