Martin Chuzzlewit: Introduction by William Boyd Hardcover - 1995
by Charles Dickens; Introduction by William Boyd
About this book
While writing Martin Chuzzlewit, Dickens declared it 'immeasurably the best of my stories.'
Set partly in America, the novel includes a searing satire on the United States. Martin Chuzzlewit is the story of two Chuzzlewits, Martin and Jonas, who have inherited the characteristic Chuzzlewit selfishness. It contrasts their diverse fates of moral redemption and worldly success for one, and increasingly desperate crime for the other. This powerful comedy involves hypocrisy, greed, and blackmail, as well as the most famous of Dickens's grotesques, Mrs. Gamp.
From the rear cover
At The Center of Martin Chuzzlewit -- the novel Angus Wilson called "one of the most sheerly exciting of all Dickens stories" -- is Martin himself, very old, very rich, very much on his guard. What he suspects (with good reason) is that every one of Iris close and distant relations. now converging in droves on the country inn where they believe he is dying, will stop at nothing to become the inheritor of Iris great fortune.
Having unjustly disinherited Iris grandson, young Martin, the old fellow now trusts no one but Mary Graham, the pretty girl hired as Iris companion. Though she has been made to understand she will not inherit a penny, she remains old Chuzzlewit's only ally. As the viperish relations and hangers-on close in on him, we meet some of Dickens's most marvelous characters -- among them Mr. Pecksniff (whose name has entered the language as a synonym for ultimate hypocrisy and self-importance); the fabulously evil Jonas Chuzzlewit; the strutting reptile Tigg Montague; and the ridiculous, terrible, comical Sairey Gamp. Reluctantly heading for America in search of opportunity, the penniless young Martin goes west, rides a riverboat, and is overtaken by bad company and mortal danger -- while the battle for his grandfather's gold reveals new depths of family treachery, cunning, and ruthlessness. And in scene after wonderful scene of conflict and suspense, of high excitement and fierce and hilarious satire, Dickens's huge saga of greed versus decency comes to its magnificent climax.
From the jacket flap
At The Center of Martin Chuzzlewit -- the novel Angus Wilson called "one of the most sheerly exciting of all Dickens stories" -- is Martin himself, very old, very rich, very much on his guard. What he suspects (with good reason) is that every one of Iris close and distant relations. now converging in droves on the country inn where they believe he is dying, will stop at nothing to become the inheritor of Iris great fortune.
Having unjustly disinherited Iris grandson, young Martin, the old fellow now trusts no one but Mary Graham, the pretty girl hired as Iris companion. Though she has been made to understand she will not inherit a penny, she remains old Chuzzlewit's only ally. As the viperish relations and hangers-on close in on him, we meet some of Dickens's most marvelous characters -- among them Mr. Pecksniff (whose name has entered the language as a synonym for ultimate hypocrisy and self-importance); the fabulously evil Jonas Chuzzlewit; the strutting reptile Tigg Montague; and the ridiculous, terrible, comical Sairey Gamp. Reluctantly heading for America in search of opportunity, the penniless young Martin goes west, rides a riverboat, and is overtaken by bad company and mortal danger -- while the battle for his grandfather's gold reveals new depths of family treachery, cunning, and ruthlessness. And in scene after wonderful scene of conflict and suspense, of high excitement and fierce and hilarious satire, Dickens's huge saga of greed versus decency comes to its magnificent climax.
First Edition Identification
Martin Chuzzlewit was published in 19 monthly installments, each comprising 32 pages of text and two illustrations by Hablot K. "Phiz" Browne. Published in 1842-1844. The first compiled book edition was published in1844 by Chapman & Hall.
Details
- Title Martin Chuzzlewit: Introduction by William Boyd
- Author Charles Dickens; Introduction by William Boyd
- Binding Hardcover
- Edition Reprint
- Pages 988
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Everyman's Library, Westminister, Maryland, U.S.A.
- Date 1995-03-20
- Illustrated Yes
- Features Bibliography, Illustrated
- ISBN 9780679438847 / 067943884X
- Weight 2.04 lbs (0.93 kg)
- Dimensions 8.38 x 5.21 x 1.93 in (21.29 x 13.23 x 4.90 cm)
- Reading level 1070
- Library of Congress subjects Adventure stories, Bildungsromans
- Library of Congress Catalog Number 95136833
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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