No Thoroughfare
Two boys from the Foundling Hospital are given the same name, with disastrous consequences in adulthood. Two associates, wishing to right the wrong, are commissioned to find a missing heir. Their quest takes them from fungous wine cellars in the City of London to the sunshine of the Mediterranean—across the Alps in winter. Danger and treachery would prevail were it not for the courage of the heroine and the faithful company servant.
The story contains crafted descriptions, well-drawn and diverse characters, eerie and exotic backgrounds, mystery, semi-concealed identities, brinkmanship with death, romance, the eventual triumph of Good over Evil, and many other elements expected in classic Dickens.
First published in 1867 there are thematic parallels with other books from Dickens' mature writings, including Little Dorrit (1857) and especially Our Mutual Friend (1865). The Listener will decide if this story yields insights into The Mystery of Edwin Drood (unfinished 1870).
Wilkie Collins collaborated with Charles Dickens to produce this ‘Christmas’ book and the stage play of the same name. In the book Collins assisted in Act 1 and Act 4; Collins scripted most of the stage play with Dickens’ assistance. If this book were released today it would be splashed "THE BOOK OF THE FILM". - Summary by Alan Chant.
Genre(s): General Fiction
Language: English
Keyword(s): literature (1952), Christmas (194)
| Section | Chapter | Reader | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play 01 | Act 0 Scene 1 - The Overture | Alan Chant |
00:16:28 |
| Play 02 | Act 1 Scene 1 - The Curtain Rises | Alan Chant |
00:21:21 |
| Play 03 | Act 1 Scene 2 - Enter The Housekeeper | Alan Chant |
00:09:10 |
| Play 04 | Act 1 Scene 3 - The Housekeeper Speaks | Alan Chant |
00:23:04 |
| Play 05 | Act 1 Scene 4 - New Characters on the Scene | Alan Chant |
00:41:40 |
| Play 06 | Act 1 Scene 5 - Exit Wilding | Alan Chant |
00:37:17 |
| Play 07 | Act 2 Scene 1 - Vendale Makes Love | Alan Chant |
00:46:43 |
| Play 08 | Act 2 Scene 2 - Vendale Makes Mischief | Alan Chant |
00:31:49 |
| Play 09 | Act 3 Scene 1 - In the Valley | Alan Chant |
00:33:13 |
| Play 10 | Act 3 Scene 2 - On the Mountain | Alan Chant |
00:33:14 |
| Play 11 | Act 4 Scene 1 - The Clock-Lock | Alan Chant |
00:26:07 |
| Play 12 | Act 4 Scene 2 - Obenreizer's Victory | Alan Chant |
00:25:45 |
| Play 13 | Act 4 Scene 3 - The Curtain Falls | Alan Chant |
00:10:38 |