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The Diary of Samuel Pepys

The BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

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The Diary of Samuel Pepys

By: Samuel Pepys, Hattie Naylor
Narrated by: Kris Marshall, Katherine Jakeways, Full Cast
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Summary

Kris Marshall and Katherine Jakeways star as Mr & Mrs Pepys in this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of the world famous diaries.

Samuel Pepys was 26 when he decided to start keeping a diary, in January 1660. For the next 10 years he faithfully recorded the day's events and confessed his innermost thoughts. That diary has since become one of our most important, and fascinating, historical documents. Pepys gave us eyewitness accounts of some of the great events of the 17th century, including the Great Fire of London and the Second Dutch War. He also told us what people ate and wore, what they did for fun, the tricks they played on each other, what they expected of marriage, and even how they conducted love affairs. He described London - the frozen river Thames, the rising crime rate and the poverty - and recorded the details of his own life: his wife, rivals, lovers and friends, his work for the Navy, his drinking and social life.

Over 350 years may have passed since Pepys first put pen to paper, but the man and his preoccupations feel surprisingly familiar. In this major BBC Radio dramatisation of the journals, the sights and sounds of his world are vividly conjured. This collection comprises all 10 radio series plus a special Saturday Drama centring on the Great Fire of London.

©2014 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2014 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Europe Great Britain England Funny Witty Inspiring Thought-Provoking Marriage Adaptation
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Where does The Diary of Samuel Pepys rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best books I have heard so far. It was wonderfully performed and had me completely hooked from the beginning.

What other book might you compare The Diary of Samuel Pepys to, and why?

I don't think this can be compared to any other book. It is a unique book as Samuel was a civil servant who gives a primary account of the politics and major events of the time as well as how ordinary folk lived and interacted.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

This is dramatised as opposed to being narrated. Wonderful acting and definitely leads the imagination.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I zipped through this book and would have happily listen to it in one sitting if I had the time.

Any additional comments?

Funny and insightful, not a boring moment.

Entertaining and insightful

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I knew that this would be a wonderful journal of life in the 17th century but goodness what a journey and how well narrated.
Outstanding

A remarkable journey back in time

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Great writing, acting and production. I would have given 5 stars. but for the massively over used theme song. it's every 15 minutes and whenever characters sing a song it's the same one. I started fast forwarding 30 seconds as soon as each chapter was finishing "tomorrow we'll be dying" will be ringing in your head a couple hours into it if you don't skip it.

Superb dramatisation

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I enjoyed it when it was serialised on Radio 4, so I knew it would be a good buy. Kris Marshall is ably supported by a good ensemble and Pepys jumps off the page and into life. It's great.

just perfect

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A fabulous account of everything from the minutae of everyday life to major events of the 1660s told from the point of view this well-heeled and seemingly insatiable gentleman of London society. Comical, sharp and greatly brought to life by the main players of Samuel, Lizzie and Will. Highly recommended.

A fascinating insight into life 350 years ago

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