Bibliograph

Vanity fair, a novel without a hero, William Makepeace Thackeray ; edited with an introduction and notes by Helen Small ; with 193 illustrations by the author

Type

Label

Vanity fair, a novel without a hero, William Makepeace Thackeray ; edited with an introduction and notes by Helen Small ; with 193 illustrations by the author

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

no index present

Literary Form

novels

Main title

Vanity fair

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

921994384

Responsibility statement

William Makepeace Thackeray ; edited with an introduction and notes by Helen Small ; with 193 illustrations by the author

Series statement

Oxford world's classics

Sub title

a novel without a hero

Summary

Becky Sharp is sharp, calculating, and determined to succeed. Craving wealth and a position in society, she charms, hoodwinks, manipulates everyone she meets, rising in the world as she attaches herself to a succession of rich men. Becky's fortunes are contrasted with those of her best friend Amelia, who has none of Becky's wit and vitality but whose gentle-heartedness attracts the devotion of the loyal Dobbin. Set during the Napoleonic wars, Vanity Fair follows Becky as she cuts a swathe through Regency society. Thackeray paints a panoramic portrait of the age, with war, money and national identity his great subjects. The battle for social success is as fierce as the battle of Waterloo, and its casualties as stricken. The satire is at once biting and profound, sparing none in a clear-eyed exposure of a world on the make. Thackeray's skepticism of human motives borders on cynicism yet Vanity Fair is among the funniest novels of the Victorian age. This new edition includes all Thackeray's original illustrations. - Publisher

Table Of Contents

Introduction -- Composition and Publication of Vanity Fair -- Thackeray as Illustrator -- Note on the Text -- Select Bibliography -- A Chronology of Thackeray's Life and Works -- VANITY FAIR -- Explanatory Notes

Classification