This audiobook version of the Pickwick Papers was narrated by Anton Lesser, who was excellent. His narration absolutely brought the book to life, especially the humorous aspects. I accidentally listened to the abridged version, which was only a few hours long (instead of the 30+ hours of the unabridged version). It was enough to get a good flavour of the story without getting too boring.

The Pickwick Papers promised heft. Weighing in at 900 pages and larded with indices and erudite observations, the project promised muscle training, if nothing else. The serial natural of the narrative and general zany approach was also apprehended. I simply wasn't prepared, however, for Sam Weller. Oh lord, he may be my favorite character in recent memory. I wasn't prepared for such. I was expecting tales of the idle and curious confronting rural and proletarian situations, if only for hilarity and general misunderstanding to ensue. I didn't expect the wit and loyalty of young Weller, especially as the novel takes a rather dark turn and visits the black humors of Dickens' past. Along the journey, politicans, journalists, bankers and lawyers submit to tar-and-feathering: we are all the better for such. There's a surfeit of humiliation, but few are actually mean, as such.

Yes, the final fifth met the approval standards of its period. There are a slew of marriage plots to be resolved. Somehow that struck me as an addendum for decorum's sake. The novel becomes a meditation on friendship; between Pickwick and Weller, Sam and his father, the reader and Dickens.

I'm looking forward to reading all of Dickens this year; The Pickwick Papers was a marvelous inaugeration.

Delightfully charming and funny!

"The Pickwick Papers" was Charles Dickens' first novel, and the tenth of his that I read. My expectations were low - I have very dark memories of trying to read it twenty years ago, and never getting past the first couple of pages, and a co-worker confirmed that impression. However, ten months and books in, I didn't let myself get deterred and really, "The Pickwick Papers"? Is a fun book.

If there is anything I've learned while reading Dickens it's that the best way to approach his books is in the way they were published. I read it in the parts it appeared in magazine form, and if you have the time, that is always the way I would do it. There are less chances of getting overwhelmed, and you can appreciate the way he uses the space and cliffhangers (those more in later books, though).

"The Pickwick Papers" doesn't have one big plot as such, and if you expect a "proper novel" you're going to be disappointed - it's more stories linked by a loose overall "arch" (or, if you will, "excuse"). It has a feel of "making it up as he went along" to it, but not in a bad way. It's funny, and fun to read, and also very English. It's not, perhaps, the book I would suggest if you only want to read one book by Dickens, but in my personal ranking it's right up there with "Nicholas Nickleby".

(At this moment, "Bleak House" and "Great Expectations" are at the top, followed closely by "David Copperfield", then "Nicholas Nickleby" and "The Pickwick Papers". After that, it's a bit of a muddle, but "Oliver Twist" is the one I enjoyed least so far.)

A funny, episodic, novel with great characters and scenes. It's overlong and would be cut by at least a quarter nowadays. I immersed myself in it over the Christmas period and was well-rewarded. If you have time, it's worth the effort.

I did not expect to give this classic 5 stars because it was quite long, but I couldn't resist! I was excited to read this book since the March sisters in "Little Women" referenced it and even had a Pickwick Club of their own.

I would like to take a moment, if you don't mind, to honor the covers of my 40-year-old book, who had fallen off over the course of this unexpectedly long yet joyous journey. They faithfully served their purpose for as long as they did and I could not continue my review without honoring them. May they rest in peace.

Being Dickens' first novel, I am extremely impressed with the characters and their development, the plot, and the style of storytelling he implements throughout the book. Although the women (especially the younger ones) were too fragile and dramatic for my liking, Dickens created memorable and entertaining characters that embark on pretty epic adventures.

Mr. Pickwick is a jolly, old fellow who is the head and founder of the Pickwick Club and has many adventures, both perilous and exciting, with his three faithful companions Mr. Winkle, Mr. Snodgrass, and Mr. Tupman. But, we cannot forget to mention the good name of Sam Weller, Mr. Pickwick's faithful and trusty servant and friend, who is my favorite character and a pleasure to meet. Although Mr. Pickwick is surrounded by friends like Mr. Wardle and his family, Mr. Perked the lawyer, and others, it would not be a good story if there were no rascals like Mr. Jingle and Job Trotter and the greedy duo, Mr. Dodson and Mr. Fogg. From going to jail, to listening to incredible and entertaining stories from all sorts of people, to arranging and attending weddings, Mr. Pickwick has a life worth mentioning and sharing. I am grateful to have been able to have the opportunity of reading his capital adventures. I hope you feel the same way.

Happy Reading!

Hilarious, the cast of characters is wild and eccentric. Enjoyed it more than other Dickens works. Wordy and pacing was off but hey, when don’t get a fixed amount of money as payment, you have to milk it somehow.