Dombey and Son

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: David Timson

Dombey and Son is vintage Dickens and explores the classic themes of betrayal, cruelty and deceit. Dombey's dysfunctional relationships are painted against a backdrop of social unrest in industrialized London, which is populated by a host of fascinating and memorable secondary characters. The complete and unabridged novel is brought spectacularly to life by veteran reader David Timson.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2009 Naxos Audiobooks

Words Titillate, Magnificent Reading, Poor Story

Dombey and Son, by: Charles Dickens, Narrated by: David Timson. I am a profound fan of 19th Century English literature; and of course, I have read many of Dicken’s writings. I actually never heard of Dombey and Son, when I went looking for a new Dickens work. I figured, what can possibly go wrong?

The answer I presumed was nothing. I was wrong. I am here to tell you this work has a flaw. The storyline never involves the reader; it goes on and on and never gets you interested in the characters or their trials and tribulations. It’s bad actor characters are numerous, and their evils are told in a long and boring interplay amongst the actors. The plot is without merit and it rolls on forever and ever. 36 hours of little story worth reading. Yet . . .

It’s a Dickens work and its use of words are brilliant. After reading the first five chapters, and taking in the traditional Dickens word salads, I was like Snoopy, dancing in the air as my feet wriggled in rhythm to Dickens words ringing in my soul.

Even better, was the reading by David Timson. I never read anything by him before, but he is a master. Each character had their own unique voice inflections, vocabulary, cadence and tone and Timson presented each with magnificence. The story was bad; but the read was great just waiting for each character to come to me with a basket of Dickens words to be delivered by Timson’s performances.

Dickens plots are always long connections and interconnections of his characters and the development of his characters are perhaps his greatest genius. I enjoy them but for me, the most exciting part of reading (or listening) to a Dickens is swirling, tumbling, and just plain darn enjoying how he puts words together to involve you in his stories. Beautiful, and made even better with the Timson read.

Great narration enhances a great story.

What did you love best about Dombey and Son?

David Timson's narration, which includes the voices of the numerous characters, each with their own highly distinct manners, is fabulous and really words to make a great story engrossing to listen to!

Fabulous

Quintessential Dickens - the villains get their due (it takes a while, but it’s worth it!) the repentant are rewarded and the good are triumphant. And this rendition is absolutely delightful! Beautifully narrated with spirit and impeccable and consistent voice characterization.

DOMBEY & SON DELIVERS DELIGHT

What did you love best about Dombey and Son?

THE FELICITY OF LANGUAGE AND THE MAGNIFICENT HUMOUR. THE CHARACTERS ARE UNFORGETTABLE, AND THE PLOT REMAINS RELEVANT TO OUR STILL- PATRIARCHAL WORLD.

What other book might you compare Dombey and Son to and why?

OTHER DICKENS, OF COURSE, BUT THIS STANDS ON ITS OWN.

Have you listened to any of David Timson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

THIS READING IS SPECTACULAR IN EVERY WAY~~THE INFLECTIONS, THE ACCENTS (EACH CHARACTER IS COMPLETELY RECOGNIZABLE FROM MR. TIMSON'S MASTERY OF VERBAL PAINTING), AND THE GENERAL FLAVOR OF THE BOOK IS ENHANCED BY THIS READING. I DO NOT THINK I COULD HAVE ENJOYED "DOMBEY & SON" AS A BOOK NEARLY AS MUCH AS I DID BY LISTENING TO THIS ACCOUNT. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK DICKENS, AS HE WAS AN ACTOR, ALSO.

Any additional comments?

I WAS DEEPLY SATISFIED WITH THIS RENDITION AND AM ONLY SORRY THAT IT IS OVER. I WILL CHOOSE MY NEXT DICKENS WITH A READNG BY MR. TIMSON.

Well worth the time commitment

This is not a well known Dickens, but it is as well worth listening to as any. The narration on this version is very entertaining.