The Diary of a Nobody Audiobook By George Grossmith, Weedon Grossmith cover art

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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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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2005 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2005 Naxos Audiobooks Biographical Fiction Classics Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Funny Witty

Editorial 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.
All stars
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Mildly amusing. Nothing more. Just funny enough to keep me listening to it. Should have moved on sooner.

Mildly amusing

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this is the second time I've listened to this book. I am sure I will listen again. It is a wonderful story if you like humorous British fiction. Absolutely fantastic.

absolutely loved it

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Beautifully performed portrait of London suburban life 130 years ago. Lovable narrator and short, punchy comedic turns. Sweet.

A Classic Commentary

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What a roller coaster ride following the mundane life of Victorian clerk Charles Pooter - two setbacks for every break he catches, though that's often his own fault, given his petty, narrow outlook.
Jarvis' narration effectively highlights Pooter's pomposity, and general cluelessness.

The Original "Sad Sack"

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Where does The Diary of a Nobody rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Diary of a Nobody is in a class of its own and I do not rank my books. It is amusing and true to its original form, which I first read in the traditional way 30 years ago.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Diary of a Nobody?

The most memorable moment in Diary of a Nobody is when Pooter paints the bath red and gets into all kinds of subsequent trouble.
I also liked it when Willie changed his name to Lupin, consequently shocking his father.

Have you listened to any of Martin Jarvis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never listened to Martin Jarvis before, but he does this book 'perfectly' in my opinion.

If you could rename The Diary of a Nobody, what would you call it?

It is impossible to rename this book. The name is perfect.

Any additional comments?

I recommend anyone who has not read or listened to this book to get it; curl up on the sofa on a wet and miserable day, with lots of snacks and a nice fire, and get some free laughter therapy.
This book belongs in the heart of 'everyman' (and woman).

English classic performed very well.

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This is one of my favourite books. It is delightful and funny. Gentle humour pervades this endearing tale of an ordinary man, his family and friends of a past era. I laugh aloud with this book. The narrator is marvellous and does not let one joke or nuance slip. I have read this book many times and have listened to the audio book version many times too. Charming and uproariously amusing. Magnificent performance. A happy book!

Hilarious and Suprebly Read

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I think I would have enjoyed this more if I'd recognized Mr. Pooter. I wonder if he's too far away in time and place for me to "get" the humor in this nicely crafted work. While I recognized (and laughed at) my own obsessions, vanity, and naivite in Adrian Mole's and Bridget Jones's diaries, Mr. Pooter's adventures left me bemused. I wondered also if it would have been funnier if I'd read the actual book rather than listened to Martin Jarvis's excellent performance: part of the pleasure in reading a "diary" can be the disconnect between the flat delivery of the words on the page, and all they leave unsaid. Three stars for the story, five stars for Mr. Jarvis.

a pleasant period piece

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I bought this because it was on a list I found of the best 10 books with happy endings. It was not to my taste and I gave up after about 90 mins listening. The narrator, although annoying, is perfect because the book is supposed to be annoying. Too bad I couldn't make it to the end. Some may like this style, but I grew up with someone around who was too much in real life like the character being parodied in the book!

Not my cup of tea

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