Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
Charles Dickens
Play
Length 33 h 44 min
Chapters 75
First published 1843
Old Martin Chuzzlewit has heaps of money that has never brought him anything but misery. Estranged from his grandson and namesake, when word gets out that he is ill, he finds himself surrounded by a throng of relatives that he despises, all hoping to get a piece of the pie. He allows himself to be taken under the wing of his obsequious and hypocritical cousin, Seth Pecksniff, who is more than happy to shelter him and kowtow to him and to keep all other relatives away. Will this vulture be the one to inherit the old man’s fortune, or is there more going on than meets the eye?
Treachery, mayhem, and possibly murder, along with some genuine love and compassion are skillfully intertwined in this book, along with Dickens’ classic wit and brilliantly created characters. His villains are odious, his good guys are delightful, and those that fall in between truly deserve to be called “Characters.” (summary by Debra Lynn)
Chapters
1
Preface and Postscript Read by Debra Lynn 9:53
2
Chapter 02a - Wherein Certain Persons Are Presented To The Reader, With Whom He May, If He Please, Become Better Acquainted, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 23:37
3
Chapter 02b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 21:43
4
Chapter 03a - In Which Certain Other Persons Are Introduced; On The Same Terms As In The Last Chapter, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 23:52
5
Chapter 03b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 21:30
6
Chapter 04a - From Which It Will Appear That If Union Be Strength, And Family Affection Be Pleasant To Contemplate, The Chuzzlewits Were The Strongest And Most Agreeable Family In The World, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 23:08
7
Chapter 04b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 27:05
8
Chapter 05a - Containing A Full Account Of The Installation Of Mr Pecksniff's New Pupil Into The Bosom Of Mr Pecksniff's Family. With All The Festivities Held On That Occasion, And The Great Enjoyment Of Mr Pinch, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 25:30
9
Chapter 05b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 29:17
10
Chapter 06 - Comprises, Among Other Important Matters, Pecksniffian And Architectural, And Exact Relation Of The Progress Made By Mr Pinch In The Confidence And Friendship Of The New Pupil Read by Debra Lynn 36:37
11
Chapter 07 - In Which Mr Chevy Slyme Asserts The Independence Of His Spirit, And The Blue Dragon Loses A Limb Read by Debra Lynn 39:22
12
Chapter 08 - Accompanies Mr Pecksniff And His Charming Daughters To The City Of London; And Relates What Fell Out Upon Their Way Thither Read by Debra Lynn 26:43
13
Chapter 09a - Town And Todger's, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 32:35
14
Chapter 09b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 35:32
15
Chapter 10 - Containing Strange Matter, On Which Many Events In This History May, For Their Good Or Evil Influence, Chiefly Depend Read by Debra Lynn 38:27
16
Chapter 11a - Wherein A Certain Gentleman Becomes Particular In His Attentions To A Certain Lady; And More Coming Events Than One, Cast Their Shadows Before, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 24:39
17
Chapter 11b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 27:47
18
Chapter 12a - Will Be Seen In The Long Run, If Not In The Short One, To Concern Mr Pinch And Others, Nearly. Mr Pecksniff Asserts The Dignity Of Outraged Virtue. Young Martin Chuzzlewit Forms A Desperate Resolution, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 26:40
19
Chapter 12b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 24:28
20
Chapter 13a - Showing What Became Of Martin And His Desparate Resolve, After He Left Mr Pecksniff's House; What Persons He Encountered; What Anxieties He Suffered; And What News He Heard, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 26:43
21
Chapter 13b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 27:03
22
Chapter 14 - In Which Martin Bids Adieu To The Lady Of His Love; And Honours An Obscure Individual Whose Fortune He Intends To Make By Commending Her To His Protection Read by Debra Lynn 26:48
23
Chapter 15 - The Burden Whereof, Is Hail Columbia! Read by Debra Lynn 24:17
24
Chapter 16a - Martin Disembarks From That Noble And Fast-Sailing Line-Of-Packet Ship, 'The Screw', At The Port Of New York, In The United States Of America. He Makes Some Acquaintances, And Dines At A Boarding-House. The Particulars Of Those Transactions, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 26:48
25
Chapter 16b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 28:26
26
Chapter 17a - Martin Enlarges His Circle Of Aquaintance; Increases His Stock Of Wisdom; And Has An Excellent Opportunity Of Comparing His Own Experiences With Those Of Lummy Ned Of The Light Salisbury, As Related By His Friend Mr William Simmons, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 26:32
27
Chapter 17b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 22:12
28
Chapter 18 - Does Business With The House Of Anthony Chuzzlewit And Son, From Which One Of The Partners Retires Unexpectedly Read by Debra Lynn 28:03
29
Chapter 19 - The Reader Is Brought Into Communication With Some Professional Persons, And Sheds A Tear Over The Filial Piety Of Good Mr Jonas Read by Debra Lynn 40:04
30
Chapter 20 - Is A Chapter Of Love Read by Debra Lynn 34:31
31
Chapter 21a - More American Experiences, Martin Takes A Partner, And Makes A Purchase. Some Account Of Eden, As It Appeared On Paper. Also Of The British Lion. Also Of The Kind Of Sympathy Professed And Entertained By The Watertoast Association Of United Sympathisers, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 27:59
32
Chapter 21b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 25:56
33
Chapter 22 - From Which It Will Be Seen That Martin Became A Lion Of His Own Account. Together With The Reason Why Read by Debra Lynn 25:37
34
Chapter 23 - Martin And His Partner Take Possession Of Their Estate. The Joyful Occasion Involves Some Further Account Of Eden Read by Debra Lynn 24:28
35
Chapter 24 - Reports Progress In Certain Homely Matters Of Love, Hatred, Jealousy, And Revenge Read by Debra Lynn 41:10
36
Chapter 25 - Is In Part Professional, And Furnishes The Reader With Some Valuable Hints In Relation To The Management Of A Sick Chamber Read by Debra Lynn 39:55
37
Chapter 26 - An Unexpected Meeting, And A Promising Prospect Read by Debra Lynn 21:28
38
Chapter 27a - Showing That Old Friends May Not Only Appear With New Faces, But In False Colours. That People Are Prone To Bite, And That Biters May Sometimes Be Bitten, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 26:40
39
Chapter 27b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 28:05
40
Chapter 28 - Mr Montague At Home. And Mr Jonas Chuzzlewit At Home Read by Debra Lynn 25:22
41
Chapter 29 - In Which Some People Are Precocious, Others Professional, And Others Mysterious; All In Their Several Ways Read by Debra Lynn 23:18
42
Chapter 30 - Proves That Changes May Be Rung In The Best-Regulated Families, And That Mr Peckniff Was A Special Hand At A Triple-Bob-Major Read by Debra Lynn 40:27
43
Chapter 31a - Mr Pinch Is Discharged Of A Duty Which He Never Owed To Anybody, And Mr Pecksniff Discharges A Duty Which He Owes To Society, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 22:26
44
Chapter 31b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 23:00
45
Chapter 32 - Treats Of Todger's Again; And Of Another Blighted Plant Besides The Plants Upon The Leads Read by Debra Lynn 16:51
46
Chapter 33a - Further Proceedings In Eden, And A Proceeding Out Of It. Martin Makes A Discovery Of Some Importance, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 18:42
47
Chapter 33b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 24:49
48
Chapter 34 - In Which The Travellers Move Homeward, And Encounter Some Distinguished Characters Upon The Way Read by Debra Lynn 29:56
49
Chapter 35 - Arriving In England, Martin Witnesses A Ceremony, From Which He Derives The Cheering Information That He Has Not Been Forgotten In His Absence Read by Debra Lynn 17:48
50
Chapter 36a - Tom Pinch Departs To Seek His Fortune. What He Finds At Starting, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 28:30
51
Chapter 36b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 24:03
52
Chapter 37 - Tom Pinch, Going Astray, Finds That He Is Not The Only Person In That Predicament. He Retaliates Upon A Fallen Foe Read by Debra Lynn 25:16
53
Chapter 38 - Secret Service Read by Debra Lynn 23:41
54
Chapter 39a - Containing Some Further Particulars Of The Domestic Economy Of The Pinches; With Strange News From The City, Narrowly Concerning Tom, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 23:38
55
Chapter 39b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 21:48
56
Chapter 40 - The Pinches Make A New Acquaintance, And Have Fresh Occasion For Surprise And Wonder Read by Debra Lynn 36:51
57
Chapter 41 - Mr Jonas And His Friend, Arriving At A Pleasant Understanding, Set Forth Upon An Enterprise Read by Debra Lynn 23:31
58
Chapter 42 - Continuation Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend Read by Debra Lynn 26:49
59
Chapter 43a - Has An Influence On The Fortunes Of Several People. Mr Pecksniff Is Exhibited In The Plenitude Of Power; And Wields The Same With Fortitude And Magnanimity, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 28:24
60
Chapter 43b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 25:38
61
Chapter 44 - Further Continuation Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend Read by Debra Lynn 23:00
62
Chapter 45 - In Which Tom Pinch And His Sister Take A Little Pleasure; But Quite In A Domestic Way, And With No Ceremony About It Read by Debra Lynn 23:39
63
Chapter 46a - In Which Miss Pecksniff Makes Love, Mr Jonas Makes Wrath, Mrs Gamp Makes Tea, And Mr Chuffey Makes Business, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 27:21
64
Chapter 46b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 27:58
65
Chapter 47 - Conclusion Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend Read by Debra Lynn 25:04
66
Chapter 48a - Bears Tidings Of Martin And Of Mark, As Well As Of A Third Person Not Quite Unknown To The Reader. Exhibits Filial Piety In An Ugly Aspect; And Casts A Doubtful Ray Of Light Upon A Very Dark Place, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 19:45
67
Chapter 48b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 20:42
68
Chapter 49 - In Which Mrs Harris Assisted By A Teapot, Is The Cause Of A Division Between Friends Read by Debra Lynn 34:24
69
Chapter 50 - Surprises Tom Pinch Very Much, And Shows How Certain Confidences Passed Between Him And His Sister Read by Debra Lynn 26:38
70
Chapter 51a - Sheds New And Brighter Light Upon The Very Dark Place; And Contains The Sequel Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 31:23
71
Chapter 51b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 24:14
72
Chapter 52a - In Which The Tables Are Turned, Completely Upside Down, Part 1 Read by Debra Lynn 24:43
73
Chapter 52b - ... Part 2 Read by Debra Lynn 24:57
74
Chapter 53 - What John Westlock Said To Tom Pinch's Sister; What Tom Pinch's Sister Said To John Westlock; What Tom Pinch Said To Both Of Them; And How They All Passed The Remainder Of The Day Read by Debra Lynn 23:10
75
Chapter 54 - Gives The Author Great Concern. For It Is The Last In The Book Read by Debra Lynn 28:43
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens gutenberg.org) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
