The Pickwick Papers
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4.4 • 132 Ratings
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Publisher Description
In May 1827, the Pickwick Club of London, headed by Samuel Pickwick, decides to establish a traveling society in which four members journey about England and make reports on their travels. The four members are Mr. Pickwick, a kindly retired businessman and philosopher whose thoughts never rise above the commonplace; Tracy Tupman, a ladies' man who never makes a conquest; Augustus Snodgrass, a poet who never writes a poem; and Nathaniel Winkle, a sportsman of tremendous ineptitude.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With true artistry, narrator David Timson brings to life the misadventures of the Pickwick Club. In Dickens's first novel, Samuel Pickwick (founder and president of the eponymous club) and three "Pickwickians" travel outside the comforts of London to document life in the English countryside. What follows is a succession of incidents filled with eccentric characters and social commentary. Clocking in around 32 hours, this audio edition would be an arduous task for any narrator, but Timson embraces this intimidating assignment with admirable aplomb. Whatever the scenario presented in prose, he matches the tone and keeps the story moving at a steady clip. He perfectly captures the author's many characters, providing spot-on vocal characterization for each one. This is an outstanding listen for both fans of Dickens and those new to his work.
Customer Reviews
The Pickwick Papers
I approached the pickwick papers with uncertainty. I have read Charles Dickens before but have only read Charles Dickens books that I knew the storyline of. I had no idea of the storyline of The Pickwick Papers, I done a little search on what The Pickwick Papers is about but knew next to nothing. I was apprehensive as I always feel Charles Dickens books being the age they are maybe difficult to follow at times.
‘The Pickwick Papers’ was Charles Dickens first novel and was a serialisation published in 19 issues over 20 months. The book follows Mr Pickwick and his friends from the Pickwick Club on a set of adventures over the country in England where they meet a lot of regular interesting characters and happen to be involved in a lot of mishaps.
I must say that my initial apprehension for this book was not needed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book is a comedy and being the age it is, I did not find it laugh out loud however the many mishaps that Mr Pickwick and his friends encounter and are involved in did make me chuckle to myself and I felt there was good humour.
The characters are really well written and are very likeable and loveable. Some of the characters that Mr Pickwick and his friends meet that recur throughout the novel are some of my favourites. I must say I loved Mr Jingle. Mr Jingle was not the nicest man and was a villain but I kind of loved that about him. My personal favourite character though is Mr Pickwick ever faithful and very funny Sam Weller. Sam is such a lovable character and any bit that Sam was in were favourite bits of mine, his bits in the book with his dad Mr Weller were really amusing.
I fully recommend this book to a Charles Dickens fan or anyone who is new to Charles Dickens, you won’t be disappointed.