Our Mutual Friend

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens is a novel written during the mid-19th century. The story dives into the murky waters of society and human relationships through a tapestry of characters connected by themes of wealth, morality, and the struggles of life along the River Thames. The narrative unfolds primarily around the mysterious death of John Harmon and the contrasting lives of characters such as Gaffer Hexam, a scavenger who plumbs the depths of the river for human remains, and the aspiring members of the Veneering household, encumbered by their obsession with social status. The opening of the novel sets the stage with an atmosphere of tension and intrigue, as Gaffer Hexam and his daughter, Lizzie, row their decrepit boat along the Thames, seeking the sources of their sustenance in its depths. The father's grim demeanor contrasts with Lizzie's discomfort at their work, hinting at a deeper psychological and emotional conflict between them. Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to another facet of society with the Veneerings, introducing readers to their newly-acquired wealth and social pretensions, intertwined with their obsequious relationships. Together, these beginnings establish a rich tableau of interconnected lives that entangle issues of identity, familial loyalty, and the perils of societal ambition. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Mutual_Friend

Reading ease score: 79.3 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2006-04-27