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The Pickwick Papers

By: Charles Dickens, Neil Gaiman
Narrated by: Rory Kinnear, Neil Gaiman
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Summary

This edition of The Pickwick Papers features an exclusive introduction, written and narrated by Neil Gaiman.

This Audible Exclusive retelling of Charles Dickens’ first novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, or as we now know it, The Pickwick Papers, is brought expertly to life by multi-award-winning actor Rory Kinnear.

A huge success, The Pickwick Papers catapulted young Dickens to fame and sold over 40,000 copies by the release of the last instalment. Stage adaptations were soon performed and merchandise quickly sold out to a public who dreamed of owning their own Pickwick cigars, song books and china figurines.

About the book

When Samuel Pickwick decides to establish and preside over a travelling society, he unknowingly brings together three of the oddest men in all of London: Tracy Tupman, the loveless self-professed ladies’ man, Augustus Snodgrass, the poet who’s never put pen to paper, and Nathaniel Winkle, the endlessly clumsy sportsman.

Introductions made and plans established, the ‘Pickwickians’ set off in search of new adventures outside of the confines of the city. Along with a host of other colourful Dickensian characters such as Mr Pickwick’s love-struck landlady, Mrs Bardell, and his trusty sidekick, Sam Weller.

The Pickwick Papers manages to both move and amuse the listener as the protagonists find themselves in a whole host of bizarre situations they had not bargained for.

About the author

With his father incarcerated, Charles Dickens had to abandon his studies at a young age and worked in a factory to support himself. Despite his short-lived education, Dickens went on to write 15 novels, various articles, novellas and short stories. He lectured and led campaigns for children's rights and education and arguably became the ultimate self-made man. Dickens had strong values, and they pervade The Pickwick Papers, which is not only one of his most comical texts but one in which he lays the groundwork for future satires expressing his deep-felt discontent with Victorian values.

About the narrator

Rory Kinnear is an award-winning actor for his work both on stage and on screen. He is known for his portrayal of Bill Tanner in the James Bond films and is also recognisable for his television work including Black Mirror and Count Arthur Strong. His audiobook credits include Anthony Horowitz’s The Word Is Murder, Nutshell by Ian McEwan, and now this fantastic version of The Pickwick Papers.

Public Domain (P)2018 Audible, Ltd
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What listeners say about The Pickwick Papers

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Spellbinding

What a wonderful and spellbinding reading of this excellent book, the narrators bring the characters to life perfectly and keep the listener fully engaged. Thanks so much

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Loved this book

Favourite Dickens so far. Narration superb. Good humour and storyline thoroughly enjoyed it. Rory Kinnear wonderful.

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Brilliant

Thank you Rory Kinnear for your incredible interpretation of The Pickwick Papers. The variety of characters come alive through the reader's clever, witty and charming use of voice. I feel very happy at spending so many hours listening to the exploits of Mr Pickwick delivered with such perfection.

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Rory Kinnear's narration is perfect

Excellent performance and a very funny and warm story which grows into your affections like a warm drink.

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Really enjoyable

Great listen characters really brought to life . Only criticism is that some of them were a little difficult to understand at times but this did not distract from the story as a whole.

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A Werry Excellent book

While the intro from Neil Gaimen is a little pompous, the information he gives about the genesis of the book is very valuable in appreciating how the writing develops.

It really is a joyous piece of work, and you can hear Dickens’ youth in the writing. We are used to images of Dickens as an old man, confusing him with his stouter, older characters perhaps. But this is a book by a man in his mid twenties and is written with the verve and brio proper to that age.
Buy this and revel in Kinnear’s appropriately brisk and engaging performance.

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Rory Kinnear Is a astounding!

Tried to read The Pickwick Papers a couple of times, but due to its episodic nature and huge cast of characters meant I would get lost as to who was who and where they came from. Trying again I chose to try an audiobook. Thank god I did!

Rory Kinnear makes this classic live. He has an astounding range of voices, the skills to play the comedic, tragic and ghost tales contained within, slipping effortlessly from one to the other.

Kinnear is one our finest actors. what a way to start this series!

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What a narrator!

I cannot imagine a more expressive and entertaining narrator for this jolly work of art. The great master of character observation is wonderfully brought to life by Rory’s breathtaking impersonations. Thank you.

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A slow start but well worth it!

This book gets rather exciting after the first ten chapters or so. It is a slow start, but a great story nonetheless.

The narrator is truly outstanding, so much so that as a non-native speaker of English I struggled to understand most of what the otherwise brilliant Sam Weller was saying, that (Cockney?) accent was too much for my untrained ear, in any case, he still is one of my favourite characters.

I haven't finished the book yet so looking forward to the conclusion, but there have been many laugh-out-loud moments and the book has kept me entertained.

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Rory, you nailed it!

A truly incredible performance which brought a seemingly infinite range of characters to life, doing justice to Dickens and Victorian London. Fantastic performance, Rory. Congratulations!

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