Samuel Pepys

The Unequalled Self

By: Claire Tomalin

Narrated by: Jill Balcon

Samuel Pepys kept a diary in which he wrote with astonishing candour about the life he saw around him in London in the 1660s, and about his private desires and ambitions. The diary was kept for fewer than 10 years of his long life: Claire Tomalin tells the whole story of the Fleet Street tailor's son who made himself rich and powerful, an MP and adviser to royalty. She also traces his relations with many women, from countesses to servant girls, in a biography that is funny, moving, and as candid as Pepys himself.©2002 Claire Tomalin (P)2002 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Tomalin not only brings him back to vibrant life, but makes a powerful case that he's more central, more 'relevant' than we ever imagined....She has restored to us the whole Pepys." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Our greatest diarist, analyzed by one of our greatest biographers. Tomalin's flawless research and trademark empathy with her subjects should make this portrait of one of the most fascinating characters of 17th-century England the best biography of the autumn." (Sunday Times [London]) "Tomalin writes brilliant chapters on all aspects of Pepys's life, relying not only on the diary but also on impressive scholarship....For those who have already enjoyed the diary, Tomalin's learned and entertaining work admirably fills in the gaps." (Publishers Weekly)

Meet Pepys the man, his life, and his diary

Claire Tomalin certainly knows how to tell a good story. This is a fascinating biography of Pepys, as well as the story of his diary - what it looks like, what it feels like, how he used it, and what happened to it after he died. To bring these parallel stories to life she has recreated the world in which Pepys lived, and introduces us to the people he knew and worked with. This is all supplemented by Tomalin's research into Pepys' life and times, and illuminated by passages from the diary. It's as close as you can get to meeting the man, and visiting the England of his day. Beautifully written, and competently read.

A Personal Masterpiece in Detailed Context

I know I like Claire Tomalins' biographies, but in this one is special because Pepys gives her some fabulous material to work with. The narrator sounds engaged in the story and overall, this is a great audiobook!

Enthralling

Claire Tomalin brings the author of the famous diaries to life in this engaging, sympathetic and unsentimental biography. With insight (and a certain amount of scholarly sleuthing) she presents us with a three-dimensional portrait of a great, if not always admirable, figure. There is plenty of fun here, lots of Restoration colour, and of course Pepys' own often outrageous opinions, but also much insight into human nature, elegantly and unpretentiously described. The years in which Pepys was writing his diaries are the meat of the book, and Tomalin would have done well to allow Pepys to speak for himself more often in this period, but this is a small complaint. The narrator is warm and unobtrusive. Altogether a most enjoyable listen. Highly recommended.

Absolutely fascinating

This is a good read for both those new to Pepys and Pepysian scholars alike. An entertaining, fascinating read.