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The Diary of a Nobody

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The Diary of a Nobody

By: George Grossmith, Weedon Grossmith
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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About this listen

The Diary of Nobody (1892) created a cultural icon, an English archetype. Anxious, accident-prone, occasionally waspish, Charles Pooter has come to epitomize English suburban life. His diary chronicles encounters with difficult tradesmen, the delights of home improvements, small parties, minor embarrassments, and problems with his troublesome son. The suburban world he inhabits is hilariously and painfully familiar in its small-mindedness and its essential decency.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2005 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2005 Naxos Audiobooks Biographical Fiction Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Funny Witty Feel-Good Comedy

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Editor reviews

Martin Jarvis simply owns this comic novel about hapless London city clerk Charles Pooter, an endearing stuffed shirt whose life is a series of misunderstandings. Written in 1892 by two actor brothers, one of whom starred in Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas, this fictitious diary gives voice to the grandiose hopes, simple pleasures, near misses, and outright disasters that comprise most peoples' lives. Jarvis's Pooter speaks with orotund vowels and a bemused tone. As this is a diary, Pooter necessarily tells the story, but Jarvis gives such life to Pooter's comments about his companions that we imagine their voices clearly. The diary is interspersed with snippets of period classical music, which add to the all-around pleasure.
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It was originally serialised in Punch magazine between 1888-89, before being turned into a comic novel. Former musical performers, the brothers George and Weedon Grossmith, wrote the novel and Weedon provided the illustrations. Amazing satirical book, exposing the foibles of the lower middle classes through descriptions Charles Pooter's life (dominated by his delusions of grandeur and frequent humiliations) as well as the exploits of his family, friends, servants and local tradesmen/women. Hard not to sympathise with his poor, long-suffering wife, Carrie. The book will make you wince and laugh. it doesn't feel dated, given its age. It is a perspicacious description of human beings, cleverly written, with understated irony and charm.

Hard to believe it was published in 1892

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Keep this one in your collection. A classic for everyone. Feeling low? 15 mins blast of this will sort you out. I'm not usually a fan of M Jarvis but by jove he owns this. Brilliant! Cracking stuff.

Necessary medicine for all

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Such a fantastically funny observation piece yet it was written so long ago. The style would sit with any of todays modern observational comedies. Pooter is basically the original Partridge! Just which the authors had done more together. Ps Jarvis is Just Perfect- as you would expect!

Love it!

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I have listened to this book so many times and it still makes me laugh. The narrator is fantastic and really adds to the story. I would def reccomend this book.

I love this audio book.

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I read this book many years ago and it is as amusing now, if not better as an audiobook. It contains many laugh out load moments. Martin Jarvis's narration does it justice.

Funny As Ever

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I haven't enjoyed a story so much in years! I read it when I was at school, and realise again why I was so taken by it first time around. It's historically fascinating, although surprisingly contemporary in so many ways. It's also a wonderfully tender portrayal of the relationship between a husband and wife! ... and a father and son. Martin Jarvis does it great justice. Thank you!!

Wonderful!

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The language is excellent. However as it’s title suggests, it is the diary of a nobody. So not much substance to the story

Relatable but not much substance

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This a very funny book. The story is good. Martin Jarvis is an excellent narrator.

Very funny

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I picked this based on a recommendation. Although clever in parts it was rather dull and nothing of any significance happens at all. Whilst I understood that was part of the humour behind it's purpose, it is a little lacking.

the narrator was very good, finding humour in all the right places, very easy to listen to.

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Always amusing Martin Jarvis' reading brings this brilliantly humourous book to life. Reccomended.

A Delight

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