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The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit

by Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

The theme of Dickens’ sixth novel (published serially in 1843-44) is about selfishness and obstinacy. The callow hero Martin Chuzzlewit is estranged from his grandfather for having the temerity to fall in love with his grandfather's ward — Mary Graham. The Chuzzlewit family are placed under the microscope as Martin journeys on a voyage of what can only be termed as "self-discovery". His journeying takes him to America, where his experiences change him forever and he returns a far better man. This is a satirical novel, particularly when Martin is in America, and Dickens, who never shirked from social criticism, utilized that portion of the book to express his feelings on his experiences during his visit to America in1842. Woven around the theme of the book are some of Dickens most finely drawn characters, ranging from the comic: Seth Pecksniff, an oily unctuous hypocrite, Mrs Gamp a nurse with a propensity for strong liquor and a delightful way of mangling the English language; to the macabre: Jonas Chuzzlewit a dark brooding murderer. There are plots within plots, deception and artifice abound, confidence tricksters on both sides of the Atlantic, and a vicious murder.

Total running time 31:31:54 Read by Peter John Keeble Cover design by Kathryn Delaney Illustration by Fred Barnard from an 1870s edition

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