Nicholas Nickleby.Charles Dickens. 1839/ 1999. Read by Robert Whitfield Part I: #2676A. 14-1.5 hour tapes. $89.95. 0-7861-1877-6. Part II #2676B. 9-1.5 hour tapes. $62.95. 0-7861-1895-4. Blackstone Audio Books. Vinyl binder; content, author notes. SA A sprawling, typically Dickensian novel, Nicholas Nickleby teems with villains and victims, and leaves no doubt as to the author's attitude towards the social conditions of his day. Nicholas, a "young man of impetuous im·pet·u·ous adj. 1. Characterized by sudden and forceful energy or emotion; impulsive and passionate. 2. Having or marked by violent force: impetuous, heaving waves. temper and of little or no experience," loses his father and has to look out for his dithering Simulating more colors and shades in a palette. In a monochrome system that displays or prints only black and white, shades of grays can be simulated by creating varying patterns of black dots. This is how halftones are created in a monochrome printer. mother and lovely sister Kate. He soon learns, also, that he must beware of his nasty uncle Ralph. Nicholas is first sent to teach in a prison-like Yorkshire boarding Yorkshire boarding vertical wooden planks not butted together used as exterior cladding on buildings used as animal accommodation. Provides a wind break and is well ventilated. school, where the evil Mr. and Mrs. Wackford Squeers beat and starve the students. Nicholas goes on to other adventures, clashing with men who would defame de·fame tr.v. de·famed, de·fam·ing, de·fames 1. To damage the reputation, character, or good name of by slander or libel. See Synonyms at malign. 2. Archaic To disgrace. his sister. He meets benevolent businessmen and finds himself in an acting troupe. Today's young audience will have to struggle with the 19-century language (habiliments ha·bil·i·ment n. 1. a. The special dress or garb associated with an occasion or office. Often used in the plural: "shrouded from head to foot in the habiliments of the grave" , remonstrances, eulogiums, and all) and anyone might have trouble with the turns and twists of plot. Still, the portrait of the boarding school is a classic in itself, deliciously awful. Whitfied does a masterful reading, portraying an astonishing a·ston·ish tr.v. as·ton·ished, as·ton·ish·ing, as·ton·ish·es To fill with sudden wonder or amazement. See Synonyms at surprise. number of characters and deftly suggesting age, class, sex, and personality. There was some roughness in the sound quality of the review copy; this is unfortunate, but libraries will find this audiobook a valuable addition to their collection of classics. Helen Elizabeth Woodman, Andover, NH |
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