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Historien om Samuel Titmarsh
Excerpt from The History of Samuel Titmarsh and the Great Hoggarty Diamond
Because prudence sometimes comes a little too late, and parsons do not practise what they preach, shall there be no more advice, and no more sermons? Profit by it or not; at least the present discourse is not very long.
Because prudence sometimes comes a little too late, and parsons do not practise what they preach, shall there be no more advice, and no more sermons? Profit by it or not; at least the present discourse is not very long.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1848
3 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
William Makepeace Thackeray
4,474 books1,335 followersWilliam Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist, satirist, and journalist, best known for his keen social commentary and his novel Vanity Fair (1847–1848). His works often explored themes of ambition, hypocrisy, and the moral failings of British society, making him one of the most significant literary figures of the Victorian era.
Born in Calcutta, British India, he was sent to England for his education after his father’s death. He attended Charterhouse School, where he developed a distaste for the rigid school system, and later enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge. However, he left without earning a degree, instead traveling in Europe and pursuing artistic ambitions.
After losing much of his inheritance due to bad investments, Thackeray turned to writing for a living. He contributed satirical sketches, essays, and stories to periodicals such as Fraser’s Magazine and Punch, gradually building a reputation for his sharp wit and keen observational skills. His breakthrough came with Vanity Fair, a panoramic satire of English society that introduced the enduring character of Becky Sharp, a resourceful and amoral social climber.
Thackeray’s later novels, including Pendennis (1848–1850), The History of Henry Esmond (1852), and The Newcomes (1853–1855), continued to explore the lives of the English upper and middle classes, often focusing on the contrast between personal virtue and social ambition. His historical novel Henry Esmond was particularly praised for its detailed 18th-century setting and complex characterization.
In addition to his fiction, Thackeray was a noted public speaker and essayist, delivering lectures on the English humorists of the 18th century and on The Four Georges, a critical look at the British monarchy.
Despite his literary success, he lived with personal struggles, including the mental illness of his wife, Isabella, which deeply affected him. He remained devoted to his two daughters and was known for his kindness and generosity among his friends and colleagues.
His works remain widely read, appreciated for their incisive humor, rich characterizations, and unflinching critique of social pretensions.
Born in Calcutta, British India, he was sent to England for his education after his father’s death. He attended Charterhouse School, where he developed a distaste for the rigid school system, and later enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge. However, he left without earning a degree, instead traveling in Europe and pursuing artistic ambitions.
After losing much of his inheritance due to bad investments, Thackeray turned to writing for a living. He contributed satirical sketches, essays, and stories to periodicals such as Fraser’s Magazine and Punch, gradually building a reputation for his sharp wit and keen observational skills. His breakthrough came with Vanity Fair, a panoramic satire of English society that introduced the enduring character of Becky Sharp, a resourceful and amoral social climber.
Thackeray’s later novels, including Pendennis (1848–1850), The History of Henry Esmond (1852), and The Newcomes (1853–1855), continued to explore the lives of the English upper and middle classes, often focusing on the contrast between personal virtue and social ambition. His historical novel Henry Esmond was particularly praised for its detailed 18th-century setting and complex characterization.
In addition to his fiction, Thackeray was a noted public speaker and essayist, delivering lectures on the English humorists of the 18th century and on The Four Georges, a critical look at the British monarchy.
Despite his literary success, he lived with personal struggles, including the mental illness of his wife, Isabella, which deeply affected him. He remained devoted to his two daughters and was known for his kindness and generosity among his friends and colleagues.
His works remain widely read, appreciated for their incisive humor, rich characterizations, and unflinching critique of social pretensions.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 28, 2023
Bon livre qui m'a fait découvrir un classique de la littérature anglaise. J'ai reçu ce livre dans une box livresque et le résumé me donnait très envie. J’avais un peu peur de la plume de l'auteur car je pensais que ça allait être assez compliqué à comprendre. Mais alors pas du tout. C'est très fluide et ça se lit hyper vite. Ce livre nous donne de bonnes leçons de vie également et j'aime beaucoup la morale à la fin. Je le recommande.
October 9, 2021
Dans un style délieucement suranné du début XIXe, un doux moment de détente absolue. Une touche moralisatrice avec clin d'oeil, une histoire désopilante, hilarente souvent, délicate dans les descriptions des petits personnages, caustique mais souriante dans celles des moyens-grands de la City. Une répétition avant la crise des sub-primes de 2008 et un avertissement: cela arrivera encore et toujours, faites gaffe! Heureuse découverte de ce contemporain de Charles Dickens, qui était d'ailleurs son ami... Conseil d'investissement sans retenue.
November 26, 2020
Remekül szórakoztam, a Hiúság vásáránál korábbi regény-hasonlóan gunyoros stílusban. Egyértelműen 5 csillag, van megnyugtató befejezés is. Időnként felnevettem olvasás közben, azonban az a szomorú, hogy tényleg akár ma is játszódhatna a történet, ahogy egyik értékelő is írta Molyon.
Az én kiadványom végén szerepel az író rövid életrajza, a fordító Vas István tollából, igen érdekes az is. Megtudhatjuk honnan ered a "sznob" kifejezés, az irodalmi művekben Thackeray használta először.
Az én kiadványom végén szerepel az író rövid életrajza, a fordító Vas István tollából, igen érdekes az is. Megtudhatjuk honnan ered a "sznob" kifejezés, az irodalmi művekben Thackeray használta először.
December 8, 2025
This novella is pure Thackeray mischief: part social satire, part mock-memoir, part comedic roast of Victorian greed and glitter. Samuel Titmarsh is the kind of narrator who takes himself far more seriously than anyone should—which makes him the perfect puppet for Thackeray’s humour.
At the centre of the story sits the Hoggarty Diamond, a gaudy, oversized, ostentatious piece of jewellery that embodies everything ridiculous about middle-class dreams of grandeur. As Samuel narrates his misadventures with this dazzling curse of a gem, Thackeray skewers social climbing, office politics, financial scams, and the fragile egos of people who believe proximity to wealth equals importance.
What makes the story stand out is the contrast between Samuel’s earnestness and the narrator’s sly irony. Thackeray keeps winking at readers over Samuel’s head, turning even ordinary moments into comic set pieces. The novella also foreshadows Vanity Fair with its fascination for vanity, illusion, and the follies of ambition.
It’s brisk, funny, and wonderfully constructed — proof that Thackeray didn’t need 900 pages to deliver a knockout commentary on society. Sometimes all he needed was a shiny, ridiculous diamond and one very gullible man.
At the centre of the story sits the Hoggarty Diamond, a gaudy, oversized, ostentatious piece of jewellery that embodies everything ridiculous about middle-class dreams of grandeur. As Samuel narrates his misadventures with this dazzling curse of a gem, Thackeray skewers social climbing, office politics, financial scams, and the fragile egos of people who believe proximity to wealth equals importance.
What makes the story stand out is the contrast between Samuel’s earnestness and the narrator’s sly irony. Thackeray keeps winking at readers over Samuel’s head, turning even ordinary moments into comic set pieces. The novella also foreshadows Vanity Fair with its fascination for vanity, illusion, and the follies of ambition.
It’s brisk, funny, and wonderfully constructed — proof that Thackeray didn’t need 900 pages to deliver a knockout commentary on society. Sometimes all he needed was a shiny, ridiculous diamond and one very gullible man.
January 16, 2020
Ha sido mi primer acercamiento a Thackeray y he acabado muy satisfecha con el descubrimiento. El libro habla (o mas bien critica) a la alta sociedad y su esnobismo y el peligro de las inversiones de riesgo sin tener conocimientos firmes.
La forma de escribir, sencilla y cercana y el sarcasmo del personaje principal me han encandilado, no me esperaba una historia tan entretenida y que, además de situaciones hilarantes tiene otras mucho más dramáticas que según he leído tienen un componente autobiográfico.
En resumen, os lo recomiendo al 100 %.
La forma de escribir, sencilla y cercana y el sarcasmo del personaje principal me han encandilado, no me esperaba una historia tan entretenida y que, además de situaciones hilarantes tiene otras mucho más dramáticas que según he leído tienen un componente autobiográfico.
En resumen, os lo recomiendo al 100 %.
February 20, 2023
Loved this—pretty typical Victorian story (is this suddenly rich financier all he seems??) but very funny and sweet written with a clarity and directness unusual for the period. Also very short if you're looking to try Thackeray out, though it's very early Thackeray and lacks a lot of what is unique about his mature work.
July 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this. Lively and entertaining.
July 3, 2025
No conseguí entrar en un libro supuestamente cómico que me aburrió mortalmente
January 28, 2026
3,25 ☆
May 18, 2022
Deliciosamente ironía inglesa a lo Huxley o Orwell. Agradable.
June 21, 2017
Summary:
This story, written by William Makepeace Thackeray, is about a Samuel Titmarsh's good fortune after being given the Hoggarty Diamond by his aunt Mrs. Hoggarty of Castle Hoggarty.
Much of the story also works around the Independent West Diddlesex Fire and Insurance Company's doings, and much like the Company in The Newcomes, and in Thackeray's own life
It must also be mentioned this story is a moral story, as in, it ends with a moral.
Ok, getting on to the review. This story isn't one of Thackeray's best known works, and it isn't as good as The Newcomes, Vanity Fair, or The History of Pendennis: His Fortunes And Misfortunes, His Friends And His Greatest Enemy although it is good. I would recommend reading it if you're a fan of Thackeray's.
This story, written by William Makepeace Thackeray, is about a Samuel Titmarsh's good fortune after being given the Hoggarty Diamond by his aunt Mrs. Hoggarty of Castle Hoggarty.
Much of the story also works around the Independent West Diddlesex Fire and Insurance Company's doings, and much like the Company in The Newcomes, and in Thackeray's own life
It must also be mentioned this story is a moral story, as in, it ends with a moral.
Ok, getting on to the review. This story isn't one of Thackeray's best known works, and it isn't as good as The Newcomes, Vanity Fair, or The History of Pendennis: His Fortunes And Misfortunes, His Friends And His Greatest Enemy although it is good. I would recommend reading it if you're a fan of Thackeray's.
January 31, 2008
Great storyline...too much wordage...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews