Our Mutual Friend

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: David Timson

A mysterious boatman on the Thames, a drowned heir, a dustman and his wife, and a host of other Dickens characters populate this novel of relationships between the classes, money, greed, and love. The 58 characters are presented with remarkable clarity by David Timson.

Public Domain © and (P) Naxos Rights International

Critic reviews

"With a cast of characters that covers the whole spectrum of London life, Dickens weaves a tapestry of tales that are by turn funny, moving and tragic." (School Library Journal)

"David Timson makes the cavalcade of contemporary types compellingly real." (The Times, London)

"The fact that Dickens is always thought of as a caricaturist, although he was constantly trying to be something else, is perhaps the surest mark of his genius." (George Orwell)

A major undertaking, but well worth the experience

Here is Charles Dickens in all his glory: countless interlinked and concatenated plots; a wealth of characters, each one a unique individual; and the panorama of London society in the 1800's, from the lowly scavengers who dredge up bodies from the Thames to the superficial socialites with nothing to do but exchange gossip at dinners and breakfasts. David Timson helps to make sense of this complex work, gives each character his or her individual voice, and adds color and life to the prose.

Outstanding

I was totally confused by the first 3-4 hours as nothing seemed to make any sense, and I wished I had the book to go back and look at, but once past that, it was a excellent book. The narrator was fantastic and you know which character was which by his voice alone. It was excellent.

Absolutely brilliant!!!

Brilliant story..mind blowing narration...Mr. Timson, you have earned a lifelong fan!
Thank you for bringing the words of the inimitable Mr. Dickens to life.

Best book ever.

I cannot rave enough about this book in itself. As an audio book it's equally amazing. The voice artist brings to life the different characters with an acute memory as to who's who and doesn't slip. It's a joy to listen to.

The storyline itself weaves in and out of so many characters lives without seeming to. You become equally involved with everyone and your disappointment that their scene temporarily closed is relieved by the knowledge you'll become just as entranced by the next chapter. How some one can have so many vivid and interesting characters and still maintain a clear interesting storyline is beyond me.

If you love story, a little uncomfortable history lesson in the treatment of an entire culture, examples of the truest of loves (romantic and otherwise) and examples of the darkest and most hurtful emotions, I highly recommend this book. Even if you don't I would suggest giving it a listen. It is a wonderful piece of literature and a true classic.

Bravos all around!

Expertly crafted. Wonderfully narrated. It takes a dickens to create such a colorful variety of characters, and it takes a Timson to come up with enough voices to give them each Audible expression. The author and the performer are a worthy match, and the end result is an utterly delightful and satisfying listen.