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Charles Dickens: Our Mutual Friend

Read by David Timson

Charles Dickens: Our Mutual Friend
Timson’s voices for the kaleidoscope of characters, from the dolls’ dressmaker to the false friends of the moneyed Veneerings, are the best of the best...Unabridged Dickens as gloriously presented...

The Observer

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Charles Dickens: Our Mutual Friend

Read by David Timson

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Timson’s voices for the kaleidoscope of characters, from the dolls’ dressmaker to the false friends of the moneyed Veneerings, are the best of the best...Unabridged Dickens as gloriously presented...

The Observer

More reviews

About

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 forty-eight characters are presented with remarkable clarity by David Timson in this unabridged recording of one of Dickens’ finest works.

Contents and tracklist

Charles Dickens: Our Mutual Friend
Work length36:30:23
BOOK 1 THE CUP AND THE LIP: Chapter 1: On The Look Out
Track length5:18
It was not until now that the upper half …
Track length7:05
Chapter 2: The Man from Somewhere
Track length6:04
But now a fearful circumstance occurs …
Track length5:39
The great looking-glass above the sideboard …
Track length6:12
Now my dear Mrs Veneering,' quoth Lady Tippins …
Track length7:46
Mortimer proceeds. 'We must now return …
Track length6:35
Chapter 3: Another Man
Track length7:19
The wheels rolled on, and rolled down by the Monument …
Track length6:59
As he opened the door, in pursuance of a nod from Lightwood …
Track length6:04
Mr Inspector had not moved, and had given no order …
Track length6:04
She placed her hands in one another on his shoulder …
Track length7:44
The case was made interesting to the public …
Track length3:07
Chapter 4: The R. Wilfer Family
Track length5:17
Mrs Wilfer was, of course, a tall woman and an angular …
Track length6:16
Here, Miss Lavinia, from her kneeling situation …
Track length5:26
The young lady's lamentations were checked at this point …
Track length6:41
This as a neat and happy turn to give the subject …
Track length7:23
Chapter 5: Boffin's Bower
Track length6:03
Mr Wegg was an observant person …
Track length7:09
The wooden Wegg looked at him with a meditative eye …
Track length6:26
Hem! Flattered, sir, I am sure,' said Wegg
Track length6:59
Left alone at his stall as the other ambled off …
Track length6:14
It was the queerest of rooms, fitted and furnished …
Track length5:53
Mrs Boffin's Fashion, as a less inexorable deity …
Track length6:30
Commodius!' gasped Mr Boffin …
Track length1:17
Chapter 6: Cut Adrift
Track length5:29
Miss Potterson, sole proprietor and manager …
Track length7:03
Gaffer was not there, but a pretty strong muster …
Track length8:26
But Miss Potterson, as a ready schoolmistress …
Track length6:19
The room was quiet, and the lamp burnt on the table.
Track length7:36
The white face of the winter day came sluggishly on …
Track length7:24
Chapter 7: Mr Wegg Looks After Himself
Track length6:53
When he deems Mr Venus's wheels sufficiently lubricated …
Track length5:54
Oh dear me, dear me!' sighs Mr Venus, heavily …
Track length6:08
Silas receives one from his hand …
Track length5:03
Chapter 8: Mr Boffin In Consultation
Track length5:43
Mr Lightwood explained that he came from the proctor's …
Track length6:10
The last time me and Mrs Boffin saw …'
Track length6:33
Your lawyer, Mr Boffin,' returned Lightwood …
Track length5:14
But, the worthy Mr Boffin jogged away with a comfortless …
Track length6:14
Not very well knowing how to get rid of this applicant …
Track length4:45
Chapter 9: Mr and Mrs Boffin In Consultation
Track length6:19
These two ignorant and unpolished people …
Track length5:53
With a ready patient face and manner …
Track length7:06
It appeared, on their drawing up at the family gate …
Track length6:15
Finding it rather difficult to pursue the conversation …
Track length6:10
However, Bella compensating for all drawbacks by responding …
Track length6:59
Chapter 10: A Marriage Contract
Track length6:44
We now come,' says Veneering, 'to the point, the real point …'
Track length6:27
Betimes next morning, that horrible old Lady Tippins …
Track length3:32
Ceremony performed, register signed …
Track length7:32
All over, that is to say, for the time being.
Track length6:19
She bursts into tears, declaring herself the wretchedest …
Track length6:10
Chapter 11: Podsnappery
Track length7:25
So it came to pass that Mr and Mrs Podsnap …
Track length6:03
I was inquiring,' said Mr Podsnap …
Track length6:22
And now the haunch of mutton vapour-bath …
Track length8:06
While these solemnities were in progress …
Track length5:31
In the meantime a stray personage of a meek demeanor …
Track length4:55
Simultaneously with this quenching …
Track length5:28
Chapter 12: The Sweat of An Honest Man's Brow
Track length4:46
As Lightwood laughed and passed the wine …
Track length4:44
It had grown darker as they talked …
Track length5:52
Now,' said Lightwood, 'What's your name?'
Track length5:53
Lawyer Lightwood, take care, you, what I say …'
Track length6:20
But he hadn't,' said Eugene, drawing …
Track length5:46
They said little else as they followed …
Track length7:39
Chapter 13: Tracking The Bird Of Prey
Track length5:54
Two taps were now heard on the outside of the window …
Track length6:55
Thereupon he stirred the fire, and sat down …
Track length6:04
As the time so passed, this slinking business …
Track length6:15
Chapter 14: The Bird Of Prey Brought Down
Track length5:58
Some half hour of this work, and Riderhood unshipped …
Track length5:51
Now see,' said Mr Inspector, after mature deliberation …
Track length4:50
We could, and we did.
Track length4:35
Chapter 15: Two New Servants
Track length7:19
Well! Now, Noddy!' cried Mrs Boffin …
Track length6:13
A gloomy house the Bower, with sordid signs on it …
Track length6:52
The man of low cunning had, of course, acquired a mastery …
Track length6:23
Thank'ee, Wegg, both for your confidence in me …'
Track length3:41
Much surprised, Mr Boffin went up stairs …
Track length6:17
Chapter 16: Minders and Re-minders
Track length6:10
Mr Boffin dismissed the matter with a nod or two …
Track length5:39
It was then perceived to be a small home …
Track length6:20
A surprising spirit in this lonely woman after so many years …
Track length6:54
Now, greatly to the relief of the visitors …
Track length7:23
This piece of business thus put in train …
Track length4:52
As he watched her with another covert look …
Track length5:51
Chapter 17 A Dismal Swamp
Track length6:49
These are the corporate beggars …
Track length6:10
BOOK 2 BIRDS OF A FEATHER: Chapter 1: Of An Education Character
Track length8:58
Bradley Headstone, in his decent black coat …
Track length6:17
Miss Peecher's favourite pupil, who assisted her …
Track length6:11
The boy knocked at a door, and the door promptly opened …
Track length7:29
It was difficult to guess the age of this strange creature …
Track length5:18
As his uneasy figure went on before them …
Track length6:24
The master and the pupil walked on, rapidly and silently.
Track length8:08
Chapter 2: Still Educational
Track length5:44
I have nothing to report, Lizzie,' said Eugene …
Track length7:30
There was an appearance of openness, trustfulness …
Track length6:28
By degrees, as she progressed in this remembrance …
Track length4:31
I wish you had been taken up, and locked up …'
Track length6:43
Chapter 3: A Piece Of Work
Track length8:01
Meanwhile Twemlow, in an increasing hurry …
Track length5:23
Mrs Veneering, during the same eventful hours …
Track length7:11
In these inspiring moments, Brewer strikes out an idea …
Track length6:07
Then, dinner is had at the Hotel with the legal gentleman …
Track length3:24
Chapter 4: Cupid Prompted
Track length4:51
I am sure,' said Miss Podsnap, 'Mr Lammle is like a lover …'
Track length6:04
How delightful those interchanges, and the looks …
Track length8:01
Young Fledgeby was none of these.
Track length6:46
More prompting was necessary. Cupid must be brought up …
Track length4:27
Content perforce with this success for the time …
Track length4:57
Chapter 5: Mercury Prompting
Track length7:29
Now, look here, Lammle,' said Fascination Fledgeby …
Track length6:53
The respected Mr Lammle was a bully …
Track length5:34
It was a public holiday, and Fledgeby did not recover …
Track length6:00
You won't say more, I see,' said Fledgeby, looking at him …
Track length6:02
Lizzie Hexam and Jenny Wren.
Track length8:45
Chapter 6: A Riddle Without An Answer
Track length6:00
Eugene,' said Mortimer, disregarding the light interruption …
Track length6:07
He had not reckoned on their seeking his name …
Track length8:49
A pause ensued, in which the schoolmaster looked very awkward.
Track length5:27
It was a stab that the blood followed …
Track length8:09
Chapter 7: In Which A Friendly Move Is Originated
Track length5:54
As Mr Venus is irritable …
Track length5:27
And yet, sir,' he continues …
Track length7:22
The palm of Silas Wegg descends with a sounding smack …
Track length7:17
The articles of the friendly move are then severally recited …
Track length5:58
Chapter 8: In Which An Innocent Elopement Occurs
Track length6:06
You never charge me, Miss Wilfer,' said the Secretary …
Track length3:54
The family room looked very small and very mean …
Track length6:55
Here Bella, deriving no comfort from her charming bonnet …
Track length3:57
As she was uninformed respecting the exact locality …
Track length5:59
While they were going along to take boat …
Track length8:01
I suppose my dear,' said Pa after dinner …
Track length8:16
Chapter 9: In Which The Orphan Makes His Will
Track length8:09
Punctual to the time appeared the carriage …
Track length7:31
At the Children's Hospital, the gallant steed …
Track length6:06
Chapter 10: A Successor
Track length5:26
Rokesmith departed on that errand …
Track length6:16
The consideration of Mrs Boffin had clothed Mr Sloppy …
Track length4:47
Chapter 11: Some Affairs Of the Heart
Track length6:50
The discreet Mary Anne resumed her seat …
Track length7:40
Here's a perfectly disinterested person, Lizzie dear,' …
Track length5:58
Lizzie Hexam had changed colour when those changes came …
Track length5:48
It being Lizzie's regular occupation when they were alone …
Track length8:13
Chapter 12: More Birds Of Prey
Track length7:14
Taking notice of Pleasant Riderhood at the door …
Track length7:00
I'll tell you why I ask,' pursued the visitor …
Track length7:34
At first Riderhood had sat …
Track length7:36
Well? Have you finished?' asked the strange man.
Track length5:56
Captain! Mentioning them unfort'net words of mine …'
Track length4:47
Chapter 13: A Solo And A Duet
Track length5:59
On board serving as third mate was George Radfoot.'
Track length6:32
Now I pass to sick and deranged impressions …'
Track length8:03
Now, is it all thought out? All to this time?'
Track length6:00
Arriving at the house, he found that Mr and Mrs Boffin were out.
Track length6:05
You take advantage of a hasty word of mine,' said Bella …
Track length6:12
Chapter 14: Strong Of Purpose
Track length8:39
The Secretary pursued his way, not very much elevated in spirits …
Track length6:29
The Secretary felt that there was no gainsaying what was urged …
Track length6:24
The Secretary stated to the schoolmaster …
Track length6:54
All these proceedings occupied John Rokesmith so much …
Track length6:20
Chapter 15: The Whole Case So Far
Track length7:10
I said,' he began, 'when I saw you last …'
Track length6:05
You know what I am going to say. I love you.'
Track length6:10
A worse threat than was conveyed in his manner …
Track length5:52
Some touch of compunction smote the boy's hardening heart …
Track length8:36
They were in the act of emerging into the main thoroughfare …
Track length7:36
Chapter 16: An Anniversary Occasion
Track length6:14
Mr Lammle, all a-glitter, produces his friend Fledgeby …
Track length7:29
The reference,' proceeds Mortimer, 'which I suppose to be …'
Track length6:51
Then Lammle. Too much of him every way …
Track length4:09
In the drawing-room, groups form as usual.
Track length8:26
BOOK 3 A LONG LANE: Chapter 1: Lodgers In Queer Street
Track length6:49
The old man shook his head, gently repudiating the imputation …
Track length6:35
The old man, who had never raised his eyes …
Track length6:56
They shook hands and Lammle strode out pondering …
Track length7:57
With one hand across his breast and the other on the easy chair …
Track length4:43
Chapter 2: A Respected Friend In A New Aspect
Track length6:26
Thus conversing, and having crossed Westminster Bridge …
Track length6:12
We take the liberty of coming, my young companion and I …'
Track length6:09
Miss Abbey had twice made the experiment of shutting her eyes …
Track length6:36
Chapter 3: The Same Respected Friend In More Aspects Than One
Track length6:00
Poor Pleasant, fortified with a sip of brandy …
Track length6:23
Presently they all return, and wait for him …
Track length2:47
Chapter 4: A Happy Return of the Day
Track length6:14
Now Ma,' said Bella, reappearing in the kitchen …
Track length6:22
However, she persisted in dishing the dinner as well as cooking.
Track length5:57
Your grandpapa,' retorted Mrs Wilfer, with an awful look …
Track length5:14
The rosy hours were thus beguiled until it was time …
Track length4:41
Number three, Pa, is a better thing.'
Track length4:21
Chapter 5: The Golden Dustman Falls Into Bad Company
Track length6:29
The Secretary rose, gathered up his papers and withdrew.
Track length8:03
She had begun by this time to be his frequent companion …
Track length6:52
Mrs Lammle took the friendliest interest …
Track length7:08
On one point connected with the watch she kept on Mr Boffin …
Track length4:47
The miser?'
Track length5:45
Chapter 6: The Golden Dustman Fall Into Worse Companys
Track length7:43
At that moment wheels were heard.
Track length5:53
This, sir,' replied Silas, adjusting his spectacles …
Track length8:16
Mr Venus, who since his introduction to the French gentleman …
Track length7:05
Releasing each other, they crept to the door …
Track length6:14
Mr Boffin came down leisurely …
Track length4:12
Chapter 7: The Friendly Moe Takes Up A Strong Position
Track length6:36
There your expressive countenance speaks indeed!'
Track length6:12
With still reluctant hands, and not without several glances …
Track length5:51
On this head, Silas Wegg had much to say.
Track length6:08
Ah, dear me, dear me!' exclaimed Wegg with a sigh …
Track length8:12
Chapter 8: The End Of A Long Journey
Track length7:02
So with the humbler houses in the liittle street …
Track length6:32
She caught up her basket as she spoke …
Track length8:14
The morning found her afoot again, but fast declining …
Track length5:43
The darkness gone, and a face bending down.
Track length4:48
Chapter 9: Somebody Becomes the Subject Of A Prediction
Track length7:01
While this discourse was interchanging …
Track length6:26
I shall be happy, Mr Rokesmith,' returned Bella …
Track length7:13
So they walked, speaking of the newly filled-up grave …
Track length5:22
The wayward, playful, affectionate nature …
Track length6:01
The question was so directly at variance with Bella's views …
Track length7:06
So the interview terminated with pleasant words …
Track length4:14
Chapter 10: Scouts Out
Track length8:17
Lightwood was at home when he got to the Chambers …
Track length6:02
Lightwood was shaking his head over the air with which …
Track length7:10
Making a dignified attempt to gather himself …
Track length7:06
Then soberly and plainly, Mortimer, I goad the schoolmaster …'
Track length7:30
Chapter 11: In the Dark
Track length6:34
As Bradley passed out at the gate with an undecided foot …
Track length8:06
They had walked along the Strand, and into Pall Mall …
Track length5:52
Bradley could have hidden a reserved piece of information …
Track length6:10
Chapter 12: Meaning Mischief
Track length6:17
But seeing that she was turning something in her mind …
Track length7:54
It was barely settled when a manly form was seen to pass …
Track length8:34
Chapter 13: Give A Dog A Bad Name, And Hang Him
Track length5:22
Miss Wren with a fallen countenance sat behind the door …
Track length6:11
The chivalrous Twemlow, Knight of the Simple Heart …
Track length7:15
With these words, which had the effect of causing …
Track length8:58
Chapter 14: Mr Wegg Prepares A Grindstone For Mr Boffin's Nose
Track length6:51
The remark seemed rather to abash Mr Venus.
Track length8:02
The Golden Dustman seemed about to pursue these questions …
Track length7:56
There was a grin upon the ghastly countenance …
Track length8:24
Now, I wonder,' he meditated as he went along …
Track length3:42
Chapter 15: The Golden Dustman At His Worst
Track length8:23
Here Mrs Boffin broke out a-crying.
Track length6:59
I have borne,' said the Secretary, in a low voice …
Track length6:05
Ask me anything you wish to ask,' returned Rokesmith …
Track length6:17
After despatching this second bolt …
Track length6:32
After which strong avowal Bella underwent reaction …
Track length6:17
Chapter 16: The Feast Of The Three Hobgoblins
Track length7:47
To inflict a heavy disappointment on this sweet nature …
Track length8:44
It was, as Bella gaily said, like the supper …
Track length5:45
Miss Lavvy came out to open the gate …
Track length5:39
The cherub not presuming to address so tremendous an object …
Track length5:52
Lavinia's engineering having made this crooked opening …
Track length6:11
Chapter 17: A Social Chorus
Track length5:38
Mr Twemlow's little rooms are modestly furnished …
Track length7:01
Was Mr Fledgeby's advocacy as effectual …'
Track length5:35
But, six o'clock in the evening …
Track length8:29
Eugene, leaning back in his chair, is observing Mr Podsnap …
Track length3:57
BOOK 4 A TURNING: Chapter 1: Setting Traps
Track length5:35
The bargeman turned back. Approaching nearer …
Track length5:22
Riderhood looked fixedly at him …
Track length6:51
Lock ho! Lock!' it was a light night …
Track length7:24
He went into the pelting rain again …
Track length6:48
Chapter 2: The Golden Dustman Rises A Little
Track length6:01
Several white dints began to come and go …
Track length8:39
Mr Lammle rose with an impudent laugh …
Track length6:43
Mr Boffin took her down, and saw her driven away …
Track length5:17
Chapter 3: The Golden Dustman Sinks Again
Track length5:22
Mr Boffin, entering the usual chamber …
Track length8:01
Mr Venus's mouth screwed itself up …
Track length8:04
At length the document was restored to its place …
Track length6:44
Chapter 4: A Runaway Match
Track length6:15
Behold Bella tripping along the streets …
Track length6:59
A modest little cottage but a bright and a fresh …
Track length7:33
With his own hands he afterwards put on the dessert …
Track length5:55
Chapter 5: Concerning The Mendicant's Bride
Track length6:36
Mrs Wilfer's baleful stare at the young gentleman …
Track length5:35
Mr Sampson murmured that this was the sort of thing …
Track length4:12
Within a feww weeks afterwards, the Mendicant's bride …
Track length6:04
The newly-married pair left early …
Track length8:04
For a City man, John certainly did appear to care …
Track length6:32
While he took his supper, Bella sat by him …
Track length5:55
I am ready for Thirdly,' said John, 'whatever it is.'
Track length3:14
Chapter 6: A Cry For Help
Track length6:28
Turning again at the water lilies, he saw her coming …
Track length5:53
He would have been base indeed to have stood untouched …
Track length6:50
The purity with which in these words she expressed …
Track length6:04
Eugene Wrayburn went the opposite way …
Track length6:09
She merely kept the boat before the stream now …
Track length5:36
Chapter 7: Better To Be Abel Than Cain
Track length6:27
The formality of spreading a tablecloth …
Track length4:40
He was a better follower than Bradley.
Track length7:35
The school reopened next day.
Track length4:58
Bradley sat looking steadily before him at the vacant air.
Track length6:49
Chapter 8: A Few Grains Of Pepper
Track length6:36
The quaint little chin met Mr Fledgeby's gaze …
Track length7:53
For the terrors undergone by Mr Dolls that evening …
Track length5:35
With a gleam of neww intelligence in her sharp face …
Track length5:03
Now the door's shut,' said Mr Fledgeby, sitting up …
Track length4:11
Chapter 9: Two Places Vacated
Track length7:31
My idea is getting so immense now,' cried Miss Wren …
Track length4:47
Now, the bad child having been strictly charged by his parent …
Track length6:14
Thither he was brought; the window becoming from within …
Track length6:25
After that previous carrying of him in the streets …
Track length6:13
Chapter 10: The Doll's Dressmaker Discovers A Word
Track length4:52
Mortimer.' 'My dear Eugene.'
Track length8:38
One afternoon when he had been lying still …
Track length7:31
Chapter 11: Effect Is Given To The Doll's Dressmaker's Discovery
Track length8:58
They started directly, in a little carriage …
Track length6:45
The reference was to a young man of reserved appearance …
Track length6:15
Then the train rattled among the house-tops …
Track length4:54
The sun was rising, and his first rays struck into the room …
Track length5:10
Chapter 12: The Passing Shadow
Track length8:54
When they had dined and were alone, John Rokesmith said …
Track length4:59
Mr Inspector, in a dark-blue buttoned-up frock coat …
Track length7:37
They alighted at last at the counter of a court …
Track length4:32
Mr Job Potterson,' Mr Inspector continued …
Track length4:38
When John came home to dinner next day …
Track length6:34
Chapter 13: Showing How The Golden Dustman Helped To Scatter Dust
Track length5:41
By a master-stroke of secret arrangement …
Track length6:06
Bella caught Mr Boffin's twinkling eye for half an instant …
Track length8:49
Bella, who was still on her knees at Mr Boffin's feet …
Track length7:11
Chapter 14: Checkmate To The Friendly Move
Track length7:08
Mr Wegg, glancing in great dudgeon …
Track length6:05
It was a very bad night to which succeeded a very bad morning.
Track length7:49
You are a fool,' said Wegg, with a snap of his fingers …
Track length6:05
Now, scoundrel,' he pursued, 'I am going to finish.'
Track length6:58
Chapter 15: What Was Caught In The Traps That Were Set
Track length4:38
One winter day when a slight fall of snow …
Track length6:04
Oh! It's in the way of school!' cried Riderhood.
Track length6:37
The light was the joint product of a fire and a candle.
Track length6:04
Bradley looked at the fire, with a working face …
Track length5:43
Not until the late daylight made the window transparent …
Track length5:19
Chapter 19: Persons And Things In General
Track length7:35
The stately lady, Mrs Wilfer, perceiving her opportunity …
Track length6:53
This visit was, as has been said, a grand event.
Track length8:33
But the greatest event of all, in the new life of Mr and Mrs John Harmon
Track length8:29
Chapter 17: The Voice Of Society
Track length6:12
Now, I am Chairwoman of Committees!' cries Lady Tippins
Track length4:23
The fair enslaver having fallen into one of her gentle sleeps …
Track length4:53

Awards and reviews

Timson’s voices for the kaleidoscope of characters, from the dolls’ dressmaker to the false friends of the moneyed Veneerings, are the best of the best...Unabridged Dickens as gloriously presented as this is the creme de la creme of audio listening.

David Timson makes the cavalcade of contemporary types compellingly real – the nouveaux riches Veneerings, the pompous Podsnaps, Boffin the deep and devious king of Dust, the charitable Jew Riah and the touchingly mad Jenny Wren.
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