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The Diary of a Nobody
- Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
- Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
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The Diary of a Nobody
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Editor reviews
Martin Jarvis simply owns this comic novel about hapless London city clerk Charles Pooter, an endearing stuffed shirt whose life is a series of misunderstandings. Written in 1892 by two actor brothers, one of whom starred in Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas, this fictitious diary gives voice to the grandiose hopes, simple pleasures, near misses, and outright disasters that comprise most peoples' lives. Jarvis's Pooter speaks with orotund vowels and a bemused tone. As this is a diary, Pooter necessarily tells the story, but Jarvis gives such life to Pooter's comments about his companions that we imagine their voices clearly. The diary is interspersed with snippets of period classical music, which add to the all-around pleasure.
Summary
The Diary of Nobody (1892) created a cultural icon, an English archetype. Anxious, accident-prone, occasionally waspish, Charles Pooter has come to epitomize English suburban life. His diary chronicles encounters with difficult tradesmen, the delights of home improvements, small parties, minor embarrassments, and problems with his troublesome son. The suburban world he inhabits is hilariously and painfully familiar in its small-mindedness and its essential decency.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about The Diary of a Nobody
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Amanda G
- 11-05-21
Hard to believe it was published in 1892
It was originally serialised in Punch magazine between 1888-89, before being turned into a comic novel. Former musical performers, the brothers George and Weedon Grossmith, wrote the novel and Weedon provided the illustrations. Amazing satirical book, exposing the foibles of the lower middle classes through descriptions Charles Pooter's life (dominated by his delusions of grandeur and frequent humiliations) as well as the exploits of his family, friends, servants and local tradesmen/women. Hard not to sympathise with his poor, long-suffering wife, Carrie. The book will make you wince and laugh. it doesn't feel dated, given its age. It is a perspicacious description of human beings, cleverly written, with understated irony and charm.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Philip D.
- 06-05-18
Wonderful!
I haven't enjoyed a story so much in years! I read it when I was at school, and realise again why I was so taken by it first time around. It's historically fascinating, although surprisingly contemporary in so many ways. It's also a wonderfully tender portrayal of the relationship between a husband and wife! ... and a father and son. Martin Jarvis does it great justice. Thank you!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Bibliomaniac
- 13-09-10
A classic of comedy
I can't begin to think how many times I've read 'The Diary of a Nobody', but this audio version still managed to bring out comic details I'd never noticed before! It's an enduring classic of quintessentially English humour.
Martin Jarvis reads brilliantly, and you can really picture Mr Pooter setting down his diary entries every night. This is a book not to be missed.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anon
- 11-03-23
The best audiobook I’ve ever heard
Superb narration
This has to be the funniest story and the best narration ever. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you Martin Jarvis.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dez
- 15-12-19
Necessary medicine for all
Keep this one in your collection. A classic for everyone. Feeling low? 15 mins blast of this will sort you out. I'm not usually a fan of M Jarvis but by jove he owns this. Brilliant! Cracking stuff.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Grant Smith
- 13-02-23
Love it!
Such a fantastically funny observation piece yet it was written so long ago. The style would sit with any of todays modern observational comedies. Pooter is basically the original Partridge! Just which the authors had done more together. Ps Jarvis is Just Perfect- as you would expect!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. N. J. Murphy
- 20-03-10
A Delight
Always amusing Martin Jarvis' reading brings this brilliantly humourous book to life. Reccomended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sam
- 11-04-22
Perfect pairing
A slice of history. Perfectly performed. Amusing, quite funny in parts. Remarkably relevant to current middle classes as a satire.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nicola
- 07-09-15
I love this audio book.
I have listened to this book so many times and it still makes me laugh. The narrator is fantastic and really adds to the story. I would def reccomend this book.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janey May
- 07-05-19
Funny As Ever
I read this book many years ago and it is as amusing now, if not better as an audiobook. It contains many laugh out load moments. Martin Jarvis's narration does it justice.
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