The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

By: Mordecai Richler

Narrated by: David Julian Hirsh

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

From Mordecai Richler, one of our greatest satirists, comes one of literature's most delightful characters, Duddy Kravitz - in a novel that belongs in the pantheon of seminal 20th century books. Duddy - the third generation of a Jewish immigrant family in Montreal - is combative, amoral, scheming, a liar, and totally hilarious. From his street days tormenting teachers at the Jewish academy to his time hustling four jobs at once in a grand plan to "be somebody", Duddy learns about living - and the lesson is an outrageous roller-coaster ride through the human comedy. As Richler turns his blistering commentary on love, money, and politics, The Apprenticeship Of Duddy Kravitz becomes a lesson for us all... in laughter and in life.

©1970 Mordecai Richler (P)2014 Audible Inc.

OK but a bit disappointing; weak narration

For a book this famous I was underwhelmed. The story is OK; but Duddy can be a very annoying character; he not a moralist, yet pride prevents him from taking short cuts the wealth he craves. I was especially disappointed in the narration, He doesn't even try to differentiate between the characters with different voices.

Belongs in the canon of Great Canadian writers

A classic, great story you will not stop listening! Richler at his best. Better than the movie, which was also excellent with a young Richard Dreyfuss as Duddy.

Wonderful story

I came across this book after Michael Lewis mentioned it in a New York Times interview. It's a terrific story, very enjoyable, and I look forward to listening to the rest of Richler's books.

Disappointing; no goal to the book

Any additional comments?

I was more disappointed in this book than I expected. It followed an ambitious Jewish boy from high school through adulthood, and it went through disappointments and dreams.
My own problems with this book: I found few redeeming qualities in the main character; the only character with whom I felt I could relate was not covered well enough for me to actually relate with her; I wasn't sure what the overall goal of the book was. I liked the girlfriend, but it wasn't a book about her, it was a book about Duddy. I realize that a lot of the things that I disliked about him early on were sort of excusable by his being a teenager. Actually, he was a teenager all the way through, albeit 19 in the end – JUST still a teenager. Consequently, the character couldn't be expected to act totally as a mature, completely mentally developed adult. But in that respect, the book kind of left us hanging! I know there was a movie be from it, and I intended to watch said movie (and contribute in a book club discussion), but for various logistic reasons, that was not to be, and I'm sorry that I missed out on others' viewpoints and reactions; I suppose they could have convinced me that overall, it was a worthwhile trip, but currently, I remain unconvinced.