The LRB Podcast Close Readings: 'Our Mutual Friend' by Charles Dickens
Tom Crewe, an Orwell Prize-winning novelist known for his work set in late 19th century London, joins Rosemary Hill, a contributing editor and author of notable historical books. Together, they dissect Dickens’ final novel, discussing its complex narrative and vibrant portrayal of mid-Victorian society. They explore key characters like Lizzie Hexham and Bella Wilfer, highlighting the novel’s critique of societal expectations and moral dilemmas. The conversation reveals how Dickens captures the shifting dynamics of identity and complacency in a changing urban landscape.
35:43
Life Events Shaped The Novel
- Dickens delayed starting Our Mutual Friend until 1863 due to personal crises and public-reading commitments.
- These events and deaths shaped the novel's darker, more strenuous composition.
Manuscript Survived A Railway Crash
- Dickens nearly lost part of the manuscript in the Staplehurst rail disaster and physically rescued it from the wreckage.
- He mentions rescuing the manuscript in the book's postscript, linking personal peril to the novel's survival.
Thames Opening Sets Moral Tone
- The novel opens with a body dredged from the Thames, establishing the river's moral and social murk as central.
- The corpse drives the plot about inheritance, identity, and social perception.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Complexities of 'Our Mutual Friend'
01:53 • 13min
Satirical Portraits of Mid-Victorian Society
14:41 • 3min
Character Dynamics and Societal Commentary in 'Our Mutual Friend'
17:42 • 12min
Exploring Stereotypes and Conscience in 'Our Mutual Friend'
29:15 • 6min
#7987
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Our Mutual Friend
Charles Dickens
Our Mutual Friend, a novel by Charles Dickens, explores themes of wealth, poverty, and social class in Victorian London.
The story revolves around the inheritance of a fortune left in the form of dead bodies found in the River Thames.
Dickens satirizes the materialistic values of the wealthy elite and the struggles of the working class.
The novel features a complex cast of characters, each grappling with their own moral dilemmas.
Our Mutual Friend is a complex and multifaceted work, showcasing Dickens' skill in creating memorable characters and weaving together multiple storylines.
#4102
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
Little Dorrit
Adam Leverton
Marco PEDULLA
Charles Dickens
Mary Sebag-Montefiore
Adam EVE
The novel follows the story of Amy Dorrit, known as Little Dorrit, who is born and raised in the Marshalsea debtors' prison in London.
Her father, William Dorrit, is imprisoned for debt and becomes known as the 'Father of the Marshalsea'.
The story explores themes of poverty, societal injustice, and the constraints of the prison system.
It also delves into the lives of other characters, including Arthur Clennam, who becomes involved in the Dorrit family's affairs.
The novel satirizes the British class system and the inefficiencies of the government, particularly through the fictional 'Circumlocution Office'.
As the Dorrits' fortune changes dramatically, the novel examines the impact of wealth and social status on individuals and society.
#4690
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Hard Times
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens's "Hard Times" is a social critique that explores the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and utilitarianism.
The novel contrasts the pragmatic worldview of Mr. Gradgrind, who emphasizes facts and figures above all else, with the imaginative spirit of Sissy Jupe.
Through its vivid characters and compelling narrative, the novel exposes the flaws of a society that prioritizes reason over emotion and empathy.
Dickens's powerful portrayal of social injustice and the importance of human connection continues to resonate with readers today.
The novel's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of timeless themes of social inequality and the human need for compassion.
#318
• Mentioned in 85 episodes
A Tale of Two Cities
Julius Julius Seybt
Francisco Manuel GRANADO CASTRO
Marion Leighton
federico alonso
Aedi Abraham
maxi sanchez
jaime arbe
Fred BARNARD
Laura Santamaria
Juan Ramon Torregrosa
monica alonso
Charles Dickens
Alejo García Moreno
Miguel Muñoz
leonardo pablo federico sanchez alonso
J. J. Bernier
Salustiano Masó Simón
Victor G Ambrus
Jose perez
Hablot K. BROWNE
Published in 1859, 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a historical novel that contrasts the lives in London and Paris during the late 18th century.
The story revolves around characters such as Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, and Lucie Manette, each dealing with love, sacrifice, and the profound societal changes brought about by the French Revolution.
The novel critiques both the conditions leading up to the Revolution and the Revolution itself, highlighting themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and the potential for positive change.
Dickens's vivid portrayal of the social disparities and political unrest of the era, along with his iconic opening lines, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' make the novel a compelling exploration of human resilience and societal issues.
#515
• Mentioned in 60 episodes
Oliver Twist
The 1838 Theatrical Adaptation
George Almar
This adaptation was first performed in the fall of 1838, before the full text of Dickens' original novel had been released.
It is a serio-comic burletta that deviates from the original novel, and Dickens himself was reportedly horrified by the performance.
The adaptation highlights the theatrical interpretation of Dickens' work during the Victorian era.
#590
• Mentioned in 55 episodes
David Copperfield
Paul Lorain
Charles Dickens
A classic novel by Charles Dickens, following the life of David Copperfield from childhood to adulthood.
#8667
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Nicholas Nickleby
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Charles Dickens
Originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839, 'Nicholas Nickleby' is Charles Dickens' third novel.
The story follows Nicholas Nickleby, who, after his father's death, must support his mother and sister.
He faces numerous challenges, including a cruel uncle, Ralph Nickleby, and a brutal schoolmaster, Wackford Squeers, at the notorious Dotheboys Hall.
The novel is a critique of the social ills of Victorian England, particularly the mistreatment of children and the cruelty of the educational system.
It features a cast of vivid characters and explores themes of family, morality, and the struggle against injustice.
#3869
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
Martin Chuzzlewit
Alfred Essarts
Tim F. LaHaye
Charles Dickens
The novel tells the story of two Chuzzlewits, Martin and Jonas, and their diverse fates.
Young Martin Chuzzlewit, an apprentice architect, is disinherited by his grandfather after falling in love with Mary Graham, the grandfather's companion.
Martin and his servant, Mark Tapley, travel to the United States, where they face various misadventures.
The novel satirizes American society, highlighting hypocrisy, greed, and other social ills.
It also features notable characters like Seth Pecksniff and Mrs. Gamp, and introduces one of the first literary private detective characters, Mr. Nadgett.
The story ultimately resolves with Martin's moral redemption and reconciliation with his grandfather.
#14797
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Barnaby Rudge
A Tale of the Riots of Eighty
Eileen Warren Norris
Charles Dickens
The novel is set in the late 18th century and revolves around the Gordon Riots of 1780, a period of anti-Catholic violence in London.
It follows the story of Barnaby Rudge, a simpleminded young man who becomes embroiled in the riots, and his pet raven, Grip.
The narrative also involves a forbidden love between Emma Haredale, a Catholic, and Edward Chester, a Protestant, and delves into the complex relationships between fathers and sons.
The story is characterized by Dickens's vivid portrayal of London's streets and the violent underbelly of the city during this tumultuous period.
#810
• Mentioned in 44 episodes
Bleak House
Charles Dickens
Bleak House, published in 1852-1853, is a novel by Charles Dickens that revolves around the Jarndyce family and their entanglement in the interminable lawsuit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
The story highlights the inefficiencies and injustices of the English Court of Chancery, as well as themes of family secrets, blackmail, murder, and social critique.
The novel follows Esther Summerson, who becomes the guardian of two other wards, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare, and their lives as they navigate the complexities of the lawsuit and personal secrets, particularly those surrounding Lady Dedlock and her past.
The novel is known for its vivid portrayal of Victorian England and its critique of various social and legal institutions of the time.
#578
• Mentioned in 55 episodes
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
Great Expectations is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that chronicles the life of Pip, a young orphan living in the marshes of Kent.
The story begins with Pip's encounter with an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch, which sets off a chain of events that changes his life.
Pip inherits a large fortune from an anonymous benefactor, which he uses to become a gentleman.
However, his journey is marked by his unrequited love for Estella, the adopted daughter of the eccentric Miss Havisham, and his eventual discovery that his benefactor is not who he expected.
The novel explores themes of social class, love, rejection, and the search for true identity, set against the backdrop of early 19th-century England.
#3114
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
Vanity Fair 1911
Doran Shoemaker
#7211
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Dombey and Son
Jason Lee
A. Willis
Ian Perkin
Charles Dickens
Forster, John
Dombey and Son, a novel by Charles Dickens, explores themes of family, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships.
The story centers around the wealthy businessman, Mr. Dombey, and his obsession with his son, Paul.
Dickens critiques the materialistic values of Victorian society and the destructive nature of unchecked ambition.
The novel features a cast of memorable characters, each grappling with their own personal struggles.
Dombey and Son is a complex and multifaceted work, showcasing Dickens' skill in creating memorable characters and weaving together multiple storylines.
#7233
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
The Old Curiosity Shop
Charles Dickens
The Old Curiosity Shop, published in 1841, is a novel by Charles Dickens that tells the story of Little Nell Trent and her grandfather, who live in a curiosity shop in London.
The plot revolves around the grandfather's addiction to gambling and his debts to the malicious moneylender Daniel Quilp.
When the grandfather gambles away the shop, Nell and her grandfather are forced to flee, embarking on a journey through the countryside.
Along the way, they encounter various characters, including the kind-hearted Kit Nubbles and the villainous Quilp, who relentlessly pursues them.
The novel explores themes of family, virtue, and the contrasts between good and evil, youth and age, and innocence and corruption.
The story is known for its sentimental portrayal of Little Nell's tragic fate and its vivid depiction of Victorian England's social and economic conditions.
#139
• Mentioned in 145 episodes
A Christmas carol
Jacqueline Goldfinger
Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' is a family-friendly version that includes music, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences.
This play retains the core themes and characters of the original while adding a musical element to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.
'Our Mutual Friend' was Dickens’s last completed novel, published in serial form in 1864-65. The story begins with a body being dredged from the ooze and slime of the Thames, then opens out to follow a wide array of characters through the dust heaps, paper mills, public houses and dining rooms of London and its hinterland.
In this extended extract from Novel Approaches, a Close Readings series from the LRB, Tom is joined by Rosemary Hill and Tom Crewe to make sense of a complex work that was not only the last great social novel of the period but also gestured forwards to the crisp, late-century cynicism of Oscar Wilde. They consider the ways in which the book was responding to the darkening mood of mid-Victorian Britain and the fading of the post-Waterloo generation, as well as the remarkable flexibility of its prose, with its shifting modes, tenses and perspectives, that combine to make Our Mutual Friend one of the most rewarding of Dickens’s novels.
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