Our Mutual Friend

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: David Timson

Length: 36 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

A mysterious boatman on the Thames, a drowned heir, a dustman and his wife, and a host of other Dickens characters populate this novel of relationships between the classes, money, greed, and love. The 58 characters are presented with remarkable clarity by David Timson.

Public Domain © and (P) Naxos Rights International

Critic reviews

"With a cast of characters that covers the whole spectrum of London life, Dickens weaves a tapestry of tales that are by turn funny, moving and tragic." (School Library Journal)

"David Timson makes the cavalcade of contemporary types compellingly real." (The Times, London)

"The fact that Dickens is always thought of as a caricaturist, although he was constantly trying to be something else, is perhaps the surest mark of his genius." (George Orwell)

Loved the narration

Great story and narration. Great characters. Loved it the book and will now move on to other Dickens novels.

Our Mutual Friend becomes a better acquaintance

I have to admit that the main reason I read this book was for a class. The novel is divided up into four books. The first book is laying down the foundations of the plot and introducing characters. The first chapter lays the foundation of a mystery. When you get towards the end of book one, Dickens starts to have the characters come alive. You begin to sympathize with Eugene Wraeburn, Lizzie Hexum, and of course, John Rokesmith. Dickens use of fairy tale allusions is prevalent such as Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and conventional wrong side of the tracks, poor girl/aristocratic man. He uses the allusions to pull at the heartstrings. He is a master story teller and has a few aces hidden in his sleeve in OMF. He has his usual humor, his usual social criticism, but Dickens still confirms a belief that good people are at the heart of society. You come to care for the characters. In the end, we should all have a Twemlow and a Lightfoot.

Another masterpiece

The story and reader were outstanding. I had to speed through the conversations of the elites, however. Dickens was too successful in making them disgusting! The story has huge application to our modern world.

Perfection

Like many before me, the first chapter was utterly mystifying. I even wondered for a moment: Are all the characters pieces of furniture, observing the ridiculous society of the humans that use them?! Now that I think back on that strange thought, it sounds about right!

It got to where I could hardly stand to pause the story. And our beloved narrator! An absolute genius. Classic Dickens- there are SO many characters that it takes time and devotion to get a handle on them all. Our narrator removes that obstacle by giving each character their own voice, pacing, and personality. If you love Dickens, you will love his final masterpiece!

David Timson makes this Charles Dickens Novel Live

Narrator: David Timson makes this Charles Dickens Novel Live

This is the most enjoyable novel I've listened to yet on Audible.com. David makes all 58 characters come to life with such clarity that you are transported to the 1800's. I'm sure if Charles Dickens were to listen to David's narration he would laugh and cry just like I have. A big thank you to David and Charles.

Good book. Excellent narration

The book is pure Dickens, but it requires some patience to get into, especially for first time readers of this genre. The first fourth or fifth of the book will be slow going for some, but perseverance will be rewarded.

I can't say enough about the terrific, spot on narration. I wish this reader would do more Dickens. He was fantastic.

Brilliant narrative of a Dickens masterpiece

What made the experience of listening to Our Mutual Friend the most enjoyable?

The performance of David Timson

What other book might you compare Our Mutual Friend to and why?

I have always enjoyed Dickens blending of social commentary with drama

Which character – as performed by David Timson – was your favorite?

The characters are well rounded, if a little "over the top" and we get a good insight into the times in which they lived. There was no favorite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The fact that "The Jew" was shown as a good person - unusual in writing of that era.

Excellent!

The narrator was amazing! Great Dickens story. Enjoyed every minute. Will never listen to another version.

really fun voices

Crazy good story. Very dark in some places, but very worth it. Also, it was hilarious, some of the best comedic relief I've ever read. Some of the voices chosen were grating, but I really do think they added rather than distracted from the story. Dickens at his finest.

An excellent reading of a classic

David Timson does an excellent job of reading "Our Mutual Friend." He has different voices for each of the many, many characters and is able to switch seamlessly from one to the other. Dickens is Dickens. The story is a bit schmaltzy, of course, but it's still a delight. And Dickens can run on sometimes, but even his running on can be a delight to read or listen to. I had never read "Our Mutual Friend" because I was put off by the first chapter - just couldn't get into it. Now that I've listened to it, and enjoyed it, I look forward to reading the book.