A strange, diverting little book. It got better as I got into it more. Not sure at first whether to take it as mostly humorous for the sake of its unreliable narrator, but eventually it seemed easier to take the narrator at his word and just enjoy his adventures, which coalesce into a rather compelling final sequence which occupies the latter half.

I would not recommend this for Thackeray neophytes--start with Vanity Fair, his masterpiece, and branch out from there if you require more from the man.

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). ( )