The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

by Tobias Smollett Narrated by LibriVox Community

Overview

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker was the last of the picaresque novels of Tobias Smollett, and is considered by many to be his best and funniest work.Published in London on 17 June 1771, it is an epistolary novel, presented in the form of letters written by six different characters: Matthew Bramble, a Welsh Squire; his sister Tabitha; their niece and nephew, Jery and Lydia Melford; Tabitha's maid Winifred Jenkins; and Lydia's suitor, Wilson.Much of the comedy arises from differences in the descriptions of the same events by different participants. Attributions of motives and descriptions of behavior show wild variation and reveal much about the character of the teller. The setting, amidst the high-society spa towns and seaside resorts of the 18th century provides his characters with many opportunities for satirical observations on English life and manners. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Editorial Reviews

Booknews

Smollett's last published novel (and most celebrated work) appeared in June 1771, three months before the author's death. This scholarly edition includes illustrations by George Cruikshank and Thomas Rowlandson, and features a comprehensive introduction, exhaustive textual editing, and detailed notes that cite passages from Smollett's nonfictional works and the works of his contemporaries to analyze the mass of allusions and references in the novel. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Choice

This is the first really significant scholarly edition of the last-published novel by Smollett, which includes some wonderful illustrations. . . . Nothing seems to have been overlooked by Preston and Brack here in their efforts to present to the modern reader the most authoritative edition.

From the Publisher

This is the first really significant scholarly edition of the last-published novel by Smollett, which includes some wonderful illustrations. . . . Nothing seems to have been overlooked by Preston and Brack here in their efforts to present to the modern reader the most authoritative edition."—Choice

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169448474
Publisher:	LibriVox
Publication date:	08/25/2014

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