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The Pickwick Papers

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Join the Pickwick Club for a comical and truly unforgettable trip through the English countryside.

This motley crew of "Pickwickians" is led by Samuel Pickwick, the philosopher without any great ideas. He is joined by Tracy Tupman, the romantic who cannot hold down a relationship; Augustus Snodgrass, the poet who has never written poetry; and Nathaniel Winkle, the sportsman without any skill. Together, they encounter a series of misadventures that will leave listeners laughing out loud.

The Pickwick Papers was Charles Dickens' first novel, launching him to the forefront of the Victorian literary scene. Fans of beloved Dickens classics—such as Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations—will enjoy a look back at this legendary writer's literary debut.

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    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from June 25, 2012
      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.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This full-cast dramatization of Charles Dickens's first novel is by turns delightful, sober, uproarious, and, once in a while, over the top. The music and background noises are appropriate, but it's the actors who carry the show, and they throw themselves into the task with great enthusiasm. To the American ear, it's sometimes hard to follow the rapid-paced accents, particularly when listening in a car. But it's most enjoyable to experience the surprises and occasional evils of British society of Dickens's day. D.R.W. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      [Editor's Note--The following is a combined review with DAVID COPPERFIELD, GHOST STORIES, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, HARD TIMES, MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, OLIVER TWIST, OUR MUTUAL FRIEND, and A TALE OF TWO CITIES.]--New Millennium presents the distinguished Academy Award winner Paul Scofield interpreting abridgments of the novels and stories of Charles Dickens. These are excellent readings, sonorous and compelling. However, they lack the verve and character of the old Victorian qualities that have been so wonderfully captured on cassette by Martin Jarvis and Miriam Margolyes, among others. And while few authors benefit more from pruning than the paid-by-the-word Dickens, some of these cuttings are far too drastic. In addition, hurried post-production is evident in numerous audible edits, frequent mouth noises, and occasional overlapping of announcer and narrator. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      In Dickens's first novel, the many adventures, or perhaps misadventures, of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and his traveling companions are detailed in a series of interrelated vignettes ranging from the frightening to the absurd. David Timson is a one-man ensemble who skillfully portrays dozens of characters. He is equally adept at chilling the spine with the gravelly, breathy tones of a madman as he is at tickling the ribs with the clipped speech and perfect comedic timing of a bold charlatan. Even his female voices, while seemingly overdramatic, capture the delicate nature of Dickensian women, who are oftentimes prone to fainting spells and fits of hysteria. Like the novel itself, Timson creates a superb portrait of nineteenth-century England that Dickens himself might have declared "a capital performance." M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Simon Vance's narration of this Dickens classic promises to please listeners with its array of eclectic characters whom Mr. Pickwick meets during his adventures. Vance is masterful in voicing Dickens's expansive cast. From the good-natured Mr. Pickwick to the crafty Mr. Jingle, Vance makes each character's voice distinct and natural. His portrayal of the ever-loyal, perceptive servant Samuel Weller captures the young man's idiomatic speech, and the exchanges between Sam and his father are wonderfully entertaining. For Mr. Pickwick, Vance adopts a good-natured and kindly tone that suits the old bachelor. Vance's adept narration especially highlights the absurdity and wit in Dickens's dialogue. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

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  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

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  • English

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