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The Diary of a Nobody cover art

The Diary of a Nobody

By: George Grossmith
Narrated by: Geoffrey Palmer
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Summary

Written as the diary of someone who would not normally merit a memoir but considers that he should have one written about him anyway, The Diary of a Nobody chronicles in agonizing but very funny detail everyday life in the lower middle class suburbs of Victorian England and the attempts of a social climber to better himself.

It was published in 1892. First published in the satirical magazine Punch as a serial between 1888 and 1889, with illustrations by the author’s brother, Weedon, The Diary of a Nobody did to late Victorian society what Alan Partridge has done for not-very-celebrated celebrities. The book coined the word Pooterism - the tendency to take oneself way too seriously - and helped to popularise a rather more familiar word from the name of one of its characters - Mr Murray Posh. But for all Mr Pooter’s petty snobbery and his tragic-comic social pretension, we love this character and even identify with him at some level, if we are honest with ourselves! This is the diary of someone who acknowledges that he is not a somebody but would dearly love to be!

Author George Grossmith (1847-1912) was born in London to a theatrical family. The comic genius which characterised his literary work was also evident in his approach to performance. He was noted for his ability to get laughs, sometimes at the expense of the show as a whole.

Public Domain (P)2007 Silksoundbooks Limited

What listeners say about The Diary of a Nobody

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brilliant

this is great, I have listened several times, it is so funny I love it

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Really good fun & marvellously narrated.

Very funny & highlights how little has really changed over the years! Brilliantly narrated by Palmer.

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Review of The Diary of a Nobody

The voice of the late Geoffrey Palmer is perfect for this narration in a hilarious set of diary entries covering the daily events in the lives of a London clerk, Charles Pooter, his wife Carrie, his son William Lupin, and numerous friends and acquaintances over a period of 15 months. Highly recommended

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Geoffrey Palmer is the perfect narrator

Having read The Diary of a Nobody as a child, discovering this on Audible was a wonder. There are a few different offerings, but choosing Geoffrey Palmer as the narrator was by far the best choice. Palmer’s Mr Pooter is just brilliant. An absolute must-have for this classic book.

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Everyone should read or hear this!

A brilliant novel wonderfully narrated by the excellent Geoffrey Palmier!
Laugh out loud on many occasions
- Charles Pooter is what an elderly Adrian Mole would have turned into had the late great Sue Townsend still been with us!
Utter Briliance!!!!!

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Absolutely Wonderful!

This is a joy to listen to, with many ‘laugh out loud’ moments. It’s an affectionate look at an ‘ordinary’ life and still surprisingly contemporary - human nature doesn’t change. Geoffrey Palmer’s reading is perfection; he is the voice of Mr Pooter forever! I will listen to this audiobook many times - it’s simply wonderful.

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Diary of a nobody

It is read well but the story is lacking. Very easily forgotten. Don’t waste your credit.

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