Dombey and Son or Martin Chuzzelwit?

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BBC Sounds have got both of these adapted at the moment, and I fancy giving one of them a go but am not sure which, because I know nothing about either of them except that Martin C is the one who goes to America.

I like Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol and the fairy stories, hate Hard Times and am indifferent to Little Dorrit.

Which would you recommend?

I really enjoyed their Martin C adaptation, and then listened to Edwin Drood and was gripped (couldn’t do a whole load of important things until I’d finished listening.) Planning for Dombey & Son next, but I don’t have such high hopes for it.

I would pick Dombey & Son first. Martin C is funnier and less maudlin, so would fit better with the ones you already like, but the plot wanders more and I think Dombey would work better as an audiobook.

I always found Little Dorrit basically unreadable so …

Gremlinsateit makes a good argument, but I thought it was a surprisingly good adaptation of MC and less confusing (apart from Montague Tigg / Tigg Montague) than I’d expected.

That does sound good - I will have to see if I can get it in my region :)

Why not read Mrs Gaskell or Wilkie Collins. Both knew Dickens and were writing at the same time. The Moonstone and Woman in White (Collins) are excellent. Mrs Gaskell addressed many of the same themes as Dickens. some say he stole her ideas. I love North And South.

I'm not planning to read either of them because I've got a pile of paper books as long as my arm. I'm planning to listen to one of them on Sounds.

I would say Martin Chuzzlewit for two reasons: it fits better with your favourite Dickens, and it’s a bit of a dull read at times, so will be improved by an adaptation, I’m sure. Dombey & Son was a better read in my view; the family psychodrama is gripping. So you could save that for when you actually have time to read it.

Have you chosen one yet? I heard an episode of Dombey & Son on BBC 4 Extra a few weeks ago but didn't remember to find out when the following episodes were being broadcast, so I need to listen on BBC Sounds. I didn't know the storyline so Googled it and it seems interesting.

I haven't started yet: my politics podcasts have all been releasing several episodes per day
for some reason, and I got over-immersed in the question of whether Lola Montez and General Custer would be a better couple than Stanley Baldwin and the Empress Theodora on Rest Is History Love Island.

I'll give Chuzzlewhit a go.

I loved Dombey. I was enjoying it so much that I allotted myself only a limited number of chapters or pages per night, and I couldn't wait to get home and continue.