Martin Chuzzlewit

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 35 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Wealthy and old, Martin Chuzzlewit, Sr. is surrounded by greedy relatives hoping to obtain a portion of his estate upon his death. Of his two descendants, born and bred in the same heritage of selfishness, one, Martin Jr., has the good fortune to transform, while the other, Jonas, does not and receives a fatal penalty.

Public Domain (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Davidson's fully voiced reading is marvelous and adds a great deal to the as-if spoken prose style in which it is written." ( KLIATT)

RECOMMEND YOU CONSIDER THIS ONE

Never heaqrd of it? dont think less of this book if its so. Its a great story. In fact the only dickens novels I would suggest passing by are Barnaby Rudge and The mystery of Edwin Drood. At the risk of being swarmed I also think a tale of two cities is below par and a misfit in his collection, two cities is one of those rare books that makes a much better movie than book. See the 1930's movie edition of two cities and you may agree. I read it twice so Im comfortable in my criticism.. Dickens is by far my favorite author. Like beer in book form, high praise indeedee.
The narrator may not seem your cup of tea, but once you get used to him you find him quite the talent. Ive listened to many books by him and will trust him in the future, but for some he may just seem too much...which is too bad.. their loss.

Narrator ruined it for me

Would you try another book from Charles Dickens and/or Frederick Davidson?

No

What didn’t you like about Frederick Davidson’s performance?

Narration does not vary with the moment -- the tone is always the same -- no matter what is happening and the drawl is quite annoying.

Any additional comments?

Very few narrators can do Dickens well. Definitely not Frederick Davidson.

Excellent performance

Frederick Davidson nails the whole cast of characters which helps lay plain this long and amusing serial novel.

great listen

narration was incredible. Davidson is a master and brings Dickens's characters to life. Get it.

Dickens at his best

I am a lover of anything Dickens. At first I was unsure about “Martin Chuzzlewit” but am so happy I did. It is such an insightful story of America and England. And greed. Great stories that come together in the end.

A montly installement series turned into a book.

Since I rely so heavily on other listener's reviews, I'm compelled to write one for this before I'm finished with it, as I do not agree with giving this 5 stars. Three stars is even a stretch for this book, but the entertaining narrator tips the balance to 3.

This "book" was released in monthly installments, and it shows - there are long passages that have little to do with the story in almost every other chapter, which adversely affects the continuity of the story. The author admits in the preface that the portrait of America in the book are not supposed to be authentic and that is a understatement - it's very fictionalized and savagely protrayed. It may be that the readers of England in the 1840s were eager to see America as a wilderness and the inhabitants be portrayed negativley.

This is very long meandering story, that has some interesting characters(although no likable main ones, excepting Mark Tapley). Athough it's read quite well, it's not for everyone. I was looking for more books like the excellent series in the Forsyte saga, but this is nowhere near as good.

I really love Dickens, but...

I have really tried to like this story, but I don't get it. I'm not sure who the main character is and nobody is really likeable.

Marvellous Listening

This reader is brilliant. Thoroughly entertaining and moving. The narrator really makes the listener feel part of the action. This is a wonderful story. The characters are colourful and varied. Mrs Gamp has become my favourite of all Dickensian characters. Superb presentation of a brilliant story. You will love it.

Mixed feelings

I really like Frederick Davidson's (a/k/a David Case) narration, but the American scenes were a real chore to get through; the U. K. ones were better, but not riveting. This one's for real Dickens fans only!

Wonderful reading!

Dickens is at his best with this book and the reader brings each character to life! His rendition of "Mrs. Gamp" is unforgettable; his "Pecksniff" pitch perfect; and the American characters are hysterical. You will laugh your way through this marvelous reading of a great Dickens