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Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit

by Charles DICKENS (1812 - 1870)

Chapter 35 - Arriving In England, Martin Witnesses A Ceremony, From Which He Derives The Cheering Information That He Has Not Been Forgotten In His Absence

Old Martin Chuzzlewit has heaps of money that has never brought him anything but misery. Estranged from his grandson and namesake, when word gets out that he is ill, he finds himself surrounded by a throng of relatives that he despises, all hoping to get a piece of the pie. He allows himself to be taken under the wing of his obsequious and hypocritical cousin, Seth Pecksniff, who is more than happy to shelter him and kowtow to him and to keep all other relatives away. Will this vulture be the one to inherit the old man’s fortune, or is there more going on than meets the eye?Treachery, mayhem, and possibly murder, along with some genuine love and compassion are skillfully intertwined in this book, along with Dickens’ classic wit and brilliantly created characters. His villains are odious, his good guys are delightful, and those that fall in between truly deserve to be called “Characters.” (summary by Debra Lynn)

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Listen next episodes of Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit:
Chapter 36a - Tom Pinch Departs To Seek His Fortune. What He Finds At Starting, Part 1 , Chapter 36b - ... Part 2 , Chapter 37 - Tom Pinch, Going Astray, Finds That He Is Not The Only Person In That Predicament. He Retaliates Upon A Fallen Foe , Chapter 38 - Secret Service , Chapter 39a - Containing Some Further Particulars Of The Domestic Economy Of The Pinches; With Strange News From The City, Narrowly Concerning Tom, Part 1 , Chapter 39b - ... Part 2 , Chapter 40 - The Pinches Make A New Acquaintance, And Have Fresh Occasion For Surprise And Wonder , Chapter 41 - Mr Jonas And His Friend, Arriving At A Pleasant Understanding, Set Forth Upon An Enterprise , Chapter 42 - Continuation Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend , Chapter 43a - Has An Influence On The Fortunes Of Several People. Mr Pecksniff Is Exhibited In The Plenitude Of Power; And Wields The Same With Fortitude And Magnanimity, Part 1 , Chapter 43b - ... Part 2 , Chapter 44 - Further Continuation Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend , Chapter 45 - In Which Tom Pinch And His Sister Take A Little Pleasure; But Quite In A Domestic Way, And With No Ceremony About It , Chapter 46a - In Which Miss Pecksniff Makes Love, Mr Jonas Makes Wrath, Mrs Gamp Makes Tea, And Mr Chuffey Makes Business, Part 1 , Chapter 46b - ... Part 2 , Chapter 47 - Conclusion Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend , Chapter 48a - Bears Tidings Of Martin And Of Mark, As Well As Of A Third Person Not Quite Unknown To The Reader. Exhibits Filial Piety In An Ugly Aspect; And Casts A Doubtful Ray Of Light Upon A Very Dark Place, Part 1 , Chapter 48b - ... Part 2 , Chapter 49 - In Which Mrs Harris Assisted By A Teapot, Is The Cause Of A Division Between Friends , Chapter 50 - Surprises Tom Pinch Very Much, And Shows How Certain Confidences Passed Between Him And His Sister , Chapter 51a - Sheds New And Brighter Light Upon The Very Dark Place; And Contains The Sequel Of The Enterprise Of Mr Jonas And His Friend, Part 1 , Chapter 51b - ... Part 2 , Chapter 52a - In Which The Tables Are Turned, Completely Upside Down, Part 1 , Chapter 52b - ... Part 2 , Chapter 53 - What John Westlock Said To Tom Pinch's Sister; What Tom Pinch's Sister Said To John Westlock; What Tom Pinch Said To Both Of Them; And How They All Passed The Remainder Of The Day , Chapter 54 - Gives The Author Great Concern. For It Is The Last In The Book