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Martin Chuzzlewit

Charles Dickens

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Aug 09, 2022 Henry Avila rated it really liked it

The book tells the world how selfish people are in the author's opinion and by consequence society is dominated by greed in the novel. All else is of no importance to anyone of prominence there. Martin Chuzzlewit has a problem with his kind grandfather of the same name who raised the orphan now strangely despises him, why? Lost, the poor grandson is without hope and needs to get out of England and seeks his fortune in America with a former servant now friend Mark Tapley. So after an endless voya The book tells the world how selfish people are in the author's opinion and by consequence society is dominated by greed in the novel. All else is of no importance to anyone of prominence there. Martin Chuzzlewit has a problem with his kind grandfather of the same name who raised the orphan now strangely despises him, why? Lost, the poor grandson is without hope and needs to get out of England and seeks his fortune in America with a former servant now friend Mark Tapley. So after an endless voyage at sea in steerage mostly seasick they are landlubbers for sure, the filth you will not want to imagine. Surprisingly the lowly Mark Tapley becomes the instigator by aiding the suffering passengers during the frightening storms, inside the hole he becomes much loved. I will skip the floating details , arriving in New York during the 1840s and immediately dislikes Americans and their gross behavior, spittoons everywhere. Gentlemen not gentlemen though the saliva mostly hits their mark, proud of the skill, money talk dominates the conversations, nevertheless time to travel, the frontier is the land of opportunity though uncivilized, primitive, lawless...Eden maybe a misnomer, its a small settlement full of disease, uncouth pioneers with rough edges, the swamp water unhealthy , the crude citizens fall like flies but the swindlers are happy selling worthless land, well some underwater, mistakes happen. Leaving quickly borrowing money from a new friend , a need to get home Mr. Chuzzlewit has a sweetheart, Mary, in a sophisticated country with only a few murders, little Martin will discover many more crooks and shady business practices, still young Martin always thinks of relatives not quite friendly undoubtedly a fact in hostile Britain , Jonas Chuzzlewit a cousin and crook, Tom Pecksniff distant relation and a totally sleazy human, the father of two daughters Cherry and Merry likewise seemingly, yet Tom Pinch a servant in the house, a good person though, the survivors whom young Martin finds in his native land , they're for themselves too. We are but shadows on the wall twinkling a bit until night falls and are no more. A novel admittedly not Dickens best however always entertains the reader. While this isn't Charles Dickens most popular or greatest novel this constantly entertains and for those his loyal fans will of course be enchanted. Long piece of literature not for first time readers of the writer's produce. ...more

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