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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.

(P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc. Classics Linguistics Social Sciences
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I had never read Our Mutual Friend, and enjoyed Dickens' colourful prose and sense of drama very much as always. However, I got tired of the rather tedious characters and endless complications. I did not finish the novel, and may perhaps do to later. It's just not a patch on David Copperfield, Bleak House and several others.

Not my favourite Dickens novel

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This is my favourite Charles Dickens story. Originally written in parts over 19 month intervals in a paper I hit know of but then revived in the Pickwick Papers as per prologue.

His portrayal and beautifully crafted characters of the late 18th century shows an abundance of detail for that time. From poor to rich, of society and class distinction, of the 'poor' law and work houses that he abhorres and puts a case to within certain characters. Not withstanding there is intrigue, mystery and romance and sadness too.

Our Mutual friend is a brilliant read from start to finish and well executed by Simon Vance who is such a wonderful narrator across many genres.

If you have never read or heard in this case, any Charles Dickens novels then treat yourself to this one. A much underrated novel. Definitely, one of his best! Thanks Audible and contributers for making this possible.

Brilliant Execution and Beautifully Written

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Simon Vance and Charles Dickens are a great listening combination. I've enjoyed every minute.

Sorry it's Over

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Simon Vance has ruined this story for me, you can hear him wetting his mouth and swallowing and slapping his lips. I want to reach in and slap him!!

Argh Simon Vance hurts my ears!

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