Charles Dickens: Martin Chuzzlewit

September, 2014

Author/Narrator’s voice strong and vivacious, nearly always engaging. His voice and style is what I enjoy the most about Dickens.

A very long book, and I do tend to agree with the opinion that the American interlude was unnecessary.

Charismatic as the narrator is, I didn’t become engaged with the plot and characters until Pinch leaves Pecksniff (more than halfway through).The change in Pinch from Pecksniff’s differential boarder to an assertive and outspoken chap on his visit to his sister was unexpected (also incongruous) and quite marvellous, making me feel that Pinch, and not young Martin Chuzzlewit, is the leading protagonist.