Martin Chuzzlewit

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

The Chuzzlewits are a family divided by money and selfishness; even young Martin, the eponymous hero, is arrogant and self-centred. He offends his grandfather by falling in love with the latter’s ward, Mary, and sets out to make his own fortune in life, travelling as far as America - which produces from Dickens a savage satire on a new world tainted with the vices of the old. Martin’s nature slowly changes through his bitter experience of life and his enduring love for Mary. Martin Chuzzlewit is one of Dickens’s most humorous and satirical novels, and it contains two great comic creations: the hypocrite Pecksniff and the drunken nurse Sarah Gamp.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2010 Naxos Audiobooks

Masterful Dickens Book with Masterful Narration

One can quibble with some of Dickens’ plot techniques - all the coincidences, for one. But this is a known characteristic of much literature of his period. Putting those sorts of issues aside, this is a wonderful book, with well-defined characters, including rogues, scoundrels, naifs, manipulators, and some plain good folk. Martin’s experiences in the US, including some very relevant passages about the gun culture, are quite interesting. If you are a Dickens fan, for sure, listen to this book, read absolutely masterfully by Sean Barrett.

Not Read Consistently Well

This edition would better reflect Dickens' conception of its characters and themes if Sean Barrett had mastery of the varieties of 18th century American dialects. Barrett seems to have studied one particular character and dialect, and his portrayal of the novels' American characters and examination of the tension between English and American experience lack nuance and authenticity as a result.

Glad I gave this book a second chance!

I'm a huge Dickens fan but when Iistened to all 33 hours of this book several years ago, I thought it was just OK. Maybe it's due to all mediocre contemporary authors I've had to listen lately that I realized what a masterpiece in story telling this book truly is. The characters - and there are a lot of them - are richly drawn and you find yourself falling in love with some and being repelled by others. Best of all, everyone of them ultimately gets their comeuppance and just reward -- which is very satisfying! The narrator was excellent in voicing all the characters -- men and women both -- with the weird exception of all those pesky Americans who all sounded like the same arrogant ignoramus. ( Obviously Dickens held a low opinion of our 19th century countrymen and women). I forgive him however and although this book may not be everyone's cup of tea, I was sorry to come to the end of it.

An ideal reader for a sprawling novel.

Martin Chuzzlewit It’s not Dickens’d best novel, But it is among his most memorable. The passages set set in early 19th-century America are especially interesting, and the novel introduces some of Dickens is most memorable characters. I cannot imagine a better reader for this work then Sean Barrett. He really brings Dickens’s characters in all their variety to life.

Incredible!

The more Dickens I listen to the more I love his books! They contain everything you could ask for in a book. I laughed, I cried there was suspense & intrigue. I just can’t praise this book enough!

Not my favorite Dickens work, but has its moments

I’ve been a Dickens fan since childhood, but never read this book before. The story has some memorable characters, but relies an awful lot on coincidences. And the explanation for old Martin’s behavior with Pecksniff was kind of lame. It also has some extraneous passages that are a bit weird. I found the end more melancholy than expected. Sean Barrett does a great job with the narration.

Slow go at times

Thus far this is my least favorite Dickens book. I felt that it was slow getting going, but I thought that I would get caught up in in it eventually. Well, it took forever for that to happen. In fact there were only a very few characters that I ended up caring about. And the New World bit! No. He could have left that out entirely. I missed the Dickens humor that I have come to expect, also. Maybe it was just the wrong book to read right after finishing The Pickwick Papers. I loved those Pickwickians! Anyway, I made it through. (I'm determined to read every one of his books.) Forward!

Excellently woven story

Memorable, fascinating characters moved through this book - some developing endearing, enlarged, and noble character, others debased, self-destructing, and mean spirits.
I was surprised at the blistering portrayal of America. Dickens didn't introduce any characters with true abolitionist fervor; however, in true Dickensonian style he utilized hyperbole and magnification to highlight the hypocrisy of coexisting freedom and slavery.

ENTERTAINING

This was Charles Dickens last book. I am a great fan of Dickens and for me it was also the last of his books to listen to. I have listened to his other books several times over the years. This book is different then all his others. It has many characters, difficult at first to keep them all straight. You can find a list of characters on the Internet. The book in many ways is full of humor. The narrator mr. Sean Barrett is beyond EXCELLENT. My thanks to all involved to make this book available, JK

Remarkably topical

Dickens' observations on human nature remain as true as ever. His description of the American character is particularly piquant in the era of Trump. Read wonderfully by Mr. Barrett.