Martin Chuzzlewit (Everyman's Library (Cloth))

Martin Chuzzlewit (Everyman's Library (Cloth))
At The Center of Martin Chuzzlewit -- the novel Angus Wilson called "one of the most sheerly exciting of all Dickens stories" -- is Martin himself, very old, very rich, very much on his guard. What he suspects (with good reason) is that every one of Iris close and distant relations. now converging in droves on the country inn where they believe he is dying, will stop at nothing to become the inheritor of Iris great fortune.

Having unjustly disinherited Iris grandson, young Martin, the old fellow now trusts no one but Mary Graham, the pretty girl hired as Iris companion. Though she has been made to understand she will not inherit a penny, she remains old Chuzzlewit's only ally. As the viperish relations and hangers-on close in on him, we meet some of Dickens's most marvelous characters -- among them Mr. Pecksniff (whose name has entered the language as a synonym for ultimate hypocrisy and self-importance); the fabulously evil Jonas Chuzzlewit; the strutting reptile Tigg Montague; and the ridiculous, terrible, comical Sairey Gamp.

Reluctantly heading for America in search of opportunity, the penniless young Martin goes west, rides a riverboat, and is overtaken by bad company and mortal danger -- while the battle for his grandfather's gold reveals new depths of family treachery, cunning, and ruthlessness. And in scene after wonderful scene of conflict and suspense, of high excitement and fierce and hilarious satire, Dickens's huge saga of greed versus decency comes to its magnificent climax.
Customer Review: Martin Chuzzlewit
To send an abridged recorded book without notifying the customer (see your web site; no mention that I could find) about the abridgement is not the sort of business practice I've come to expect from Amazon. I sent it back, of course, hence a waste of time and money not to mention trust.
Customer Review: Martin Chuzzlewit conquers greed, wins a fair maiden, visits America and wins the plaudits of this reviewer
Greed and selfishness abound in this long novel originally brought to the 1843-44 reading public through twenty monthly installments. The book did not sell well and is today little known except to Dickens fans. It is well worth a perusal as it: 1. Exhibits a fascinating cast of characters from the alcohoic nurse Mrs Gamp and her imaginary friend Mrs Harris to the unforgettable Mr. Seth Pecksniff whose hypocritical lifestyle is a gem of descriptive satire by the master Dickens. Pecksniff is an architect seeking to wed his two daughters to rich folks, claim credit for other people' work and cast aside from his office such worthy young gentlemen as Martin Chuzzlewit, John Westlock and the timorous Tom Pinch. Tom and his Ruth are a beautiful example of sibling love and kindness to others in need. The book is also an excellent mystery as the evil Jonas Chuzzlewit plots the death of his rich old father; murders a business associate and is finally arrested. Jonas commits suicide by poison orignally intended for his father. All's well that ends well is this long serialized work. The section on Martin and his friend Mark Tapley's trip to the USA was inserted by Dickens to raise sluggish sale figures for the monthly installments of the work. Dickens had a keen eye for Yankee foibles from spitting to politics to making a quick buck. Martin and Mark end their journey in the swampy regions of the town of Eden. Only the help of Mr. Bevan a kind American allows them to return to England. Dickens had been disillusioned by the republic of his American cousins in his 1841 tour of the states. He briefly mentions slavery in America and his view is negative. It should also be noted that Dickens found much to find fault with and criticize about his native land of England. This is not the first Dickens novel to begin with for there are parts (especially in the first installments) that drag as we learn about old Martin Chuzzlewit's ancestors and his disowning of his grandson Martin the hero of the novel. They will later reconcile in the exciting finish of this racing coach of genius across the broad sweep of the Victorian town and country landscape. Charles Dickens was a genius whose words deserve to be read as long as the English language is spoken, celebrated and honored on this globe. Great book!