No Thoroughfare


Read by Alan Chant

(4.6 stars; 135 reviews)

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. (5 hr 56 min)

Chapters

Act 0 Scene 1 - The Overture 16:28 Read by Alan Chant
Act 1 Scene 1 - The Curtain Rises 21:21 Read by Alan Chant
Act 1 Scene 2 - Enter The Housekeeper 9:10 Read by Alan Chant
Act 1 Scene 3 - The Housekeeper Speaks 23:04 Read by Alan Chant
Act 1 Scene 4 - New Characters on the Scene 41:40 Read by Alan Chant
Act 1 Scene 5 - Exit Wilding 37:17 Read by Alan Chant
Act 2 Scene 1 - Vendale Makes Love 46:43 Read by Alan Chant
Act 2 Scene 2 - Vendale Makes Mischief 31:49 Read by Alan Chant
Act 3 Scene 1 - In the Valley 33:13 Read by Alan Chant
Act 3 Scene 2 - On the Mountain 33:14 Read by Alan Chant
Act 4 Scene 1 - The Clock-Lock 26:07 Read by Alan Chant
Act 4 Scene 2 - Obenreizer's Victory 25:45 Read by Alan Chant
Act 4 Scene 3 - The Curtain Falls 10:38 Read by Alan Chant

Reviews

Well read and worth the listening


(5 stars)

Glad I downloaded it. Great reader who did the various voices really well.

Wonderful read of a sweet Dickens tale


(5 stars)

I've had only the barest minimum of Lit in school, and had never heard of this story by Dickens, but as a fan of Alan Chant, I decided to take a listen. It's just 6 hours - rather short for a Dickens audiobook, but includes a cast of interesting characters, which Alan brings to life with his excellent reading voices. This audio file deserves the highest rating, both for the quality of the story and the quality of the reading.

little known but very good


(5 stars)

I had never heard of this Dickens story. it's worth the read. excellent job by the narrator as well.

Excellent Reading!


(5 stars)

A fantastic performance of a work which few Dickens (or Collins) fans have read.

a great My story adventure. and fabulously read. Thank you


(5 stars)

A lovely recording


(5 stars)

Two boys from the Foundling Hospital are given the same name, with disastrous consequences in adulthood. After the death of one – now a proprietor of a wine merchant’s company - the executors, 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, Marguerite, and a faithful company servant. Many thanks Mr Alan Chant for your recording. Highly recommended!

Very good.


(5 stars)

This was very good. I just listened to another book read by Alan Chant and his wife. I enjoyed it so much that I searched for other books read by him. I'd never heard of this Dickens book and at first after the passing of one character, I was confused by the introduction of the others, but I was able to catch up. It was so very well read by Alan Chant!

Wonderful story!


(5 stars)

Knowing Wilkie Collins, I figured there would be a surprise at the end. A very well-told story! Alan Chant is a wonderful reader. I'm glad that LV doesn't allow sound effects in the intros and outros anymore, though. The horses' hooves, winter wind, bells, and clock all annoyed me. :)