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Our Mutual Friend

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Our Mutual Friend

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

 A sinister masterpiece, Our Mutual Friend was Dickens' last completed novel. It is perhaps his ultimate vision of a dark, macabre London and the corrupting power of money.

Opening with a father and daughter scavenging for corpses on the Thames, the chilling tale unfolds around drownings, disguises and doubles, violence, murder, and triumphant love. Young John Harmon, presumed killed on his return home to England, is very much alive. The heir to a dust merchant's fortune, he goes to work under an assumed name for his father's current heirs, the amiable, elderly Boffins, who are about to be blackmailed by the unscrupulous one-legged Wegg.

So begins the intrigue in a novel that is quintessentially Dickensian in flavor, in its grotesque caricatures, its rich symbolism, and the astonishing realism of its heroine, Bella Wilfer, among Dickens' most splendid female characters.

Click here to see all the titles in our Charles Dickens collection.(P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc. Classics Linguistics Social Sciences England

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All stars
Most relevant  
This recording has not been edited properly. Simon Vance, who is a very good reader, has corrected himself at times and both the original recording and the corrected version are left in, so that you hear both. It is interesting but annoying, and the faulty editing should have been picked up.
As to the novel, it is not one of Dickens’ best. In order to convey to the reader the real identity of his hero, he has a chapter in which the hero talks to himself about his past, which feels rather clumsy.

No editing

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It's a pity that the editing of this audiobook is so poor, the narrator frequently re-reads phrases and both versions are kept in - so you keep hearing double! It's sometimes entertaining to get a glimpse of the craft involved in audio narration, but mostly it distracts you from the narrative. I can't think of any other medium where this would be acceptable, imagine watching a movie where the outtakes are left in! Otherwise this is a great story, but I love Dickens in any form. I enjoyed Simon Vance's narration but found it a bit one-dimensional, he has a supercilious tone to his voice all the time which, with Dickens' long sentences, can be a bit irritating. (Anton Lesser's narration cannot be matched - please do more Mr Lesser!)

Bad editing

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The only criticism I would make is about the editing! Sentences repeated (presumably where the reader takes a break) and very abrupt chapter endings. Otherwise, this is a great Dickens novel and well read.

Great story, well read

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Is it only me who has been living in ignorance or is this book vastly underrated? I thought I knew of all Dickens' great young characters, but I had never come across Jenny Wren, the doll's dressmaker, and she's far more interesting and well-developed than many of the better-known ones. A great book, enhanced by an excellent reader.

Masterpiece

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Dickens is in his usual form with great characters who are recognisable in every age. Here he deals with wealth and poverty and introduces us to people of every layer of society who are greedy for money and others who are generous and kind.

He shows us that for some wealth can ruin their character whilst others thrive in relative poverty.

His text could well the "The love of money is the root of all evil."

The characters are brought to live by Simon Vance's wonderful reading of the story. Each character is distinct and clear.

Sadly the recording is ruined by dreadful editing. In pretty well every chapter, and often several times in a chapter, lines are repeated as the reader gives a second rendition of the same phrase. In one case a whole chapter is repeated.

This failing is a surprise at first, becomes a frustration and by the end of the book is a genuine annoyance.

Great book, well read, but sadly spoilt

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I had forgotten the strong sense of social justice in Dickens's works. We can listen to Dickens today and still be moved. Simon Vance has a pleasing voice and is a superb narrator.

Excellent Narration

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If you could sum up Our Mutual Friend in three words, what would they be?

Cutting social commentary.

What other book might you compare Our Mutual Friend to, and why?

Most novels by Dickens - Dickens's books are incredibly good at examining society of the time and pointing out the flaws, inconsistencies and two-facedness of it. This does of course mean that the villains are more villainous and the heroes more heroic than one would expect in reality, but part of the novelist's role is to shine a spotlight on these things, necessarily making them stand out more brightly.I have a particular joy at Dickens's onomatopoeic character names, they're marvellous throughout his books!

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Vance is a truly admirable reader. His characterisations are brilliant, and maintained throughout (I loved his voice for Silas Wegg, so fitting!). I actually logged in to Audible just now in order to identify more books he has read!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - I need sleep; it's a little long for that! However, I did manage a few long sessions with it. I believe the original was published monthly in nineteen parts. It would be interesting to know where the original breaks were, in order to attempt listening to the novel again in those same parts.

Any additional comments?

More care could have been taken with the editing. There are several places where Vance has re-read a line but the editing (or lack thereof) has left both reads in the final audio.

Classic Dickens

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Good story well read, very well read, attitudes are a bit dated.
the editing is poor.

Well read

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So enjoyed listening to this. Knew the story and the reader read the characters so well. Very funny in the places where it is meant to be funny. Recommend.

Great Read / Listen

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Such a great story to listen too, especially if you enjoy description. As always Charles Dickens is the master of description, describing people, dress, food, London, and most especially here peoples attitude to money.

Wonderful

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