The Poor Traveller

by Charles Dickens

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Genres: Classics, Fiction, Audiobook, British Literature

120 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2019

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Nicole ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Richard Double Dick?! HAHAHA And the amount of times it is mentioned hahahah

[Gemma Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars listened on audiobook

[Musi ✨Vegacrux’s first child✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous name

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this (an excellent reading here: https://youtu.be/2LfmSIj3WsQ ).

Dickens writes beautifully about redemption and forgiveness.

[Zinia Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so wonderfully written. Charles Dickens brought so many important aspects of smooth, honest and subtle living which we often forget and ignore. The moral is high and the present era needs it more than any age!

[Marcia Arguelles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honest to god, I listened to the audiobook while cooking and I did not pay attention to a single word said.

[Mss Sunrise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I obviously adore Dickens' writing. It pulls me in right away. I was lost in his words. Having said that, I don't know if this book was supposed to put a smile on my face or not, but it did. I kinda laughed at every moment the name Doubledick popped up! Again, I don't know if I was supposed to. I also dont think that I fully absorbed and understood the story even though I relistened to the first part of the audiobook twice. Anyway, I'm glad that I managed to hit my 2024 reading challenge with a classic even though I rated it this low 😅

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

to captain richard doubledick 🫡

It was over in ten minutes more, and Doubledick returned to the spot where he had laid the best friend man ever had, on a coat spread upon the wet clay. Major Taunton's uniform was opened at the breast, and on his shirt were three little spots of blood.

"Dear Doubledick," said he, "I am dying."

"For the love of Heaven, no!" exclaimed the other, kneeling down beside him, and passing his arm round his neck to raise his head. "Taunton! My preserver, my guardian angel, my witness! Dearest, truest, kindest of human beings! Taunton! For God's sake!"

The bright, dark eyes—so very, very dark, now, in the pale face—smiled upon him; and the hand he had kissed thirteen years ago laid itself fondly on his breast.

"Write to my mother. You will see home again. Tell her how we became friends. It will comfort her, as it comforts me."

He spoke no more, but faintly signed for a moment toward his hair as it fluttered in the wind. The Ensign understood him. He smiled again when he saw that, and, gently turning his face over on the supporting arm as if for rest, died, with his hand upon the breast in which he had revived a soul.

[Lorraine Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great short story. It was delving into the life of a man, who had lost all hope. It is not magnanimous in scale, but the message it leaves behind makes one wonder...
It was a great story of how people do what needs to be done, even if it means to let something go. This was inspiring and realistic in terms of how the outcome of a choice changed what had been and what would be...

I really enjoyed the story far too much for words to express.

[Night veil · Rating 2 out of 5]

★★☆☆☆

The story follows a wandering narrator through postwar Europe, meeting the poor, the wounded, and the boastful Richard Double Dick.

We see Richard's journey from a reckless soldier seeking death to a brave and honored officer.

His life, once filled with despair, became a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the capacity for change and growth.

[Sorkunde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Charles Dickens always exceptional also in his short stories. He is alble to make common people like Private Dick Dick triumph in his miserable life and find freedom from solace and eventually a happy life.

[beebs · Rating 3 out of 5]

dick doubledick hahaha

[Miz Bent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful. This is why Dickens is a genius.

[Ana Bugalho · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief audiobook. An engaging and sweet story with some fun elements DDD

[Forked Radish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chas. D.’s homoerotic phantasy. Human males only prey upon each other, never help each other. Learns yo his-story.

[Kimmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The names of the characters are really funny. It kept distracting me and making me laugh but hey, it’s short and I finished it in half an hour. It’s great.

[Kate Blackwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

not his last name being doubledick omg

[angelita · Rating 2 out of 5]

take a shot every time he says doubledick

[Catherine Vamianaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story by Dickens. It was an audio

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's a good story but i can't stop thinking about the double dick. god. that's hilarious.

[Rileigh Krystyniak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t get over the name! 😂

[Rebecca Pollett · Rating 2 out of 5]

tried to take this seriously but bros name was RICHARD DOUBLEDICK (?) and the author made that known as much as possible

[moomin and ducks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had this audiobook on as I was working and ISTG never did I expect the name Doubledick Lol.
it had me sobbing that the MC choice this name for himself Haha.

[Lucy Cawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dickens knew exactly what he was doing calling him Richard Double Dick, the filthy bitch