The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

by Charles Dickens Narrated by Chris MacDonnell

Overview

This is Dickens's third novel and was originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839. It's a wonderful example of Dickens's ability to weave plots within plots and portray the most glorious characters. Both theatrical and prosaic, Dickens magnetically and majestically pulls the reader (or listener!) into his unique and inimitable world. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby tells the story of a young man who must support his mother and sister after his father dies leaving the family impoverished. Mrs. Nickleby takes them to London to appeal to the rich brother of her deceased husband, the uncaring and unscrupulous Ralph Nickleby. Through Ralph's shameless, corrupt, and underhanded treatment, the family finds themselves facing trials and tribulations that threaten them with complete desolation. Taking on villains, rogues, and crooks who continually try to take advantage of them and those they care about, they are led by Nicholas's moral rectitude, courage, and determination through all their difficulties. But not without anxiety, distress, and countless obstacles to be faced and overcome.

Editorial Reviews

NY Post

Let me put it simply and plainly. The Royal Shakespeare Company in THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY is one of the great theatrical experiences of our time.

NY Daily News

...it is big, sweeping theatre of a kind you are unlikely to encounter more than once in a lifetime.

Time

The play delves into Dickensian bathos, preposterous coincidences, abrupt reversals of fortune, the collision of improbable goodness with impossible evil—and emerges triumphant, soaring with spirit. In the process it displays the grandest theatrical techniques, affirms the rightness of love and friendship, revives pleasures and poignancies that have all but vanished from modern narrative art.

Variety

The indestructible Dickens story includes high drama and low comedy, vividly drawn characters in the author's bravura style, melodramatic situations and contrasting subtle scenes...the playgoing experience of a lifetime.

From the Publisher

"As is typical of Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby contains a myriad of characters, and as is typical of Simon Vance, he skillfully handles each one. . . . Like the novel itself, Vance delivers a performance that is both poignant and humorous." ---AudioFile

JULY 2012 - AudioFile

As is typical of Charles Dickens, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY contains a myriad of characters, and as is typical of Simon Vance, he skillfully handles each one. In an epic listen, Vance's smooth, pleasant voice regales listeners with the title character's search for his place in the world after the death of his father. Capturing the essence of characters ranging from noblemen to country folk, the seasoned narrator appropriately injects his voice with smugness, innocence, and everything in between. The pacing is perfect—Vance rapidly delivers Mrs. Nickleby's comedic ramblings and slows his speech to a crawl when portraying the simple Smike. His female voices are particularly noteworthy, sounding soft and natural. Like the novel itself, Vance delivers a performance that is both poignant and humorous. M.D. 2012 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160603278
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	02/06/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

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