Our Mutual Friend

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 31 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

A sinister masterpiece, Our Mutual Friend was Dickens' last completed novel. It is perhaps his ultimate vision of a dark, macabre London and the corrupting power of money.

Opening with a father and daughter scavenging for corpses on the Thames, the chilling tale unfolds around drownings, disguises and doubles, violence, murder, and triumphant love. Young John Harmon, presumed killed on his return home to England, is very much alive. The heir to a dust merchant's fortune, he goes to work under an assumed name for his father's current heirs, the amiable, elderly Boffins, who are about to be blackmailed by the unscrupulous one-legged Wegg.

So begins the intrigue in a novel that is quintessentially Dickensian in flavor, in its grotesque caricatures, its rich symbolism, and the astonishing realism of its heroine, Bella Wilfer, among Dickens' most splendid female characters.

(P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Far from his best

It is interesting that I saw some people consider this to be Dickens’ best book. I found the plot to consist of one main plot line and then have several subplots that didn’t serve much purpose other than to lengthen the book and divert the reader from what might be an obvious idea about how the main plot will develop. In his afterword, it seems as if Dickens almost admits this - that he didn’t want people to figure out what is supposed to be a surprise to early on. Dickens addresses issues of social class and the snobbery of certain classes, a common theme, but there really isn’t so much that is deeper. He does try (only somewhat successfully) to rectify his earlier rather anti-Semitic depiction of Jews in many of his previous novels, in particular, of course, Oliver Twist, with his character Riah. I consider myself a Dickens fan, but this book would not have made me such. Simon Vance, as always, is superb. However, I found that this recording needed some editing. It seemed that there were places where he reread certain words - there were some repetitions of phrases of 2-3 words every so often - that needed to be editied out.

brilliant narration, hints of modernist writing

This was the first Dickens novel I read (outside of the novella "A Christmas Carol" and a handful of Dickens film adaptations). The narration was perfect. I like mysteries and modern writing, which was what attracted me to choose this book. The wikipedia article has a useful summary on it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though I did refer to the character lists a lot in the beginning. There are several sub-plots, eventually all interwoven.

Absolutely superb

I must agree that this is one of the best of Charles dickens‘s monumental literary contributions. The characters are consistent well developed and some really hilarious. Simon Vance as usual is a brilliant reader making the story come to life almost like a soap opera which of course in the 1800s Charles dickens in his Pickwicke papers contributions Contributed to in the literary sense. Excellent reading. Will read it again.

East Carolina University, 1969

I first read and taught this book at ECU in 1969. Over 50 years later it is still a rich experience observing the Boffins, the Wilfers and others. I enjoy Dickens’ affirmative view of love and marriage and his contempt for evil. In 1969 I was young. Over 50 years later I have seen much good and evil and feel pretty comfortable with this old story.

My personal favorite Dickens book.

Such a well laid out story with many memorable characters. Each time I’ve listened to this (for it has been several times) I’ve been amazed at how something written so long ago can still be so amusing at times, and at other times hold within it such real life lessons that are relevant even today. Simon Vance is hands down the best and most talented performer that has ever read a book for recording. The fact that he can perform each character in such a unique way, each with their own voice and personality is just absolutely incredible. Five stars all around. Absolutely cherish this book and recording.

Great Presentation of a complex story

Thank you, Simon Vance,
for capturing the essence of the full range of motley characters.

Worth six stars

What I enjoy most about Dickens is the quality of his writing. And this book, to me, is his best. It seems like Dickens managed to squeeze every character he ever came up with into this book, and I loved each and every one of them. And the narrator -- well, if you haven't heard anything performed by Robert Whitfield (whose real name is Simon Vance), just get this book. By far my favorite narrator, reading Dickens at his best. Who could ask for more?

A Masterpiece

For my money, Our Mutual Friend is the best novel Dickens ever wrote--a bit darker than the others, but all the more powerful. Although it presents the usual cast of caricatures, there are no throwaways, the themes they represent are not trivial. Dickens (sorry, no apostrophe function) attacks on snobbery and greed are unusually vicious as well as funny, and there is a new depth to the main characters--especially in the darker romance (there are two). Lizzie Hexam is a breathtaking character--serious, beautiful, redemptive. Dickens sentimentalism (to my mind the serious flaw in his works) is kept to a minimum in this one.

And--The reading is perfect. Robert Whitfield is a talented and sensitive reader. I will be looking for more of his work.

Interesting Story

I really enjoy Charles Dickens numerous books, but this was probably my least favorite. The main character, John Harmon, has 2 other identities in the story which makes the plot somewhat confusing unnecessarily. There is considerable dialogue between the mother and sister of John Harmon’s love interest which dragged and wasn’t compelling . Overall there are some very worthwhile characters and life lessons to be learned .

Dickens’ best story

I love this book. It is my favorite of all Charles Dickens’ works and this performance is worthy. I highly recommend.