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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 That diary has since become one of our most important, and fascinating, historical documents.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
  • Radio/TV Programme
  • Categories: History

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Up early and to the office

But on the way I listen to this audiobook in the car, a pleasing account of the diary of Samuel Pepys, and the acting does please me greatly. It seems he goes abroad with many ladies and wenches, but that his wife is none the better for it and that it does displease her, although I know not whether she realises the true length he does dishonour her. And so from the office, home and to bed, to listen further to Pepys' account of the fire of London and the great plague, told with much humour and tragedy. my wife does then ask of my why I but laugh and then am silent, and I tell her it is that I am thinking greatly on my work, but I am actually thinking about this audiobook.

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16 people found this helpful

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A first rate dramatization of a seminal diary

As other reviewers have said, this is a very enjoyable listen that transports you back to the middle of seventeenth century London. It covers the decade 1660 to 1670, which was a time when lots of important things were happening. There was ongoing naval warfare with the Dutch, the Black Death and the Great Fire of London. The dramatization brings Pepys diary to life and does not seem to take liberties with his text. This diary is a real insight into what London was like in 1660, its sensibilities, daily goings on, political intrigue, brutal punishments for law breakers and basic medicine. It does well in covering big issues, as well as covering the day to day life of a fairly well-off professional (and perhaps rather flawed) working man.

Enormous praise must go to the cast and production team who have excelled in the verisimilitude of this adaptation. It really is first rate. If you are interested in English history and enjoy dramatizations, then I thoroughly recommend this audio book.

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13 people found this helpful

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  • 14-08-16

Great adaptation

Addictive. Great performances. The only thing (as previously mentioned in other reviews) is that the music gets rather annoying. This is because originally the piece was made for radio in stand alone episodes. My tip would be to set your skip to 20secs and then tap it when the 'gather ye rosebuds' song begins. You will clip it out.
That is my only quibble. Other than that a most excellent programme.
And so, to bed.

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12 people found this helpful

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Entertaining and insightful

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.

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12 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Dramatisation

Would you listen to The Diary of Samuel Pepys again? Why?

I have been listening to this on BBC4 Extra and was captivated, not just for the excellent interpretation, the humour, the darkness, the historic value, it has also given my 13 year old son an almost first hand experience of those historic times. I have listened to it again, at home, in the car and at work.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how the characters were, although obviously from a time gone by, the conversations could have been from today's times, I love how Elizabeth Pepys was a fiesty stand up for herself (and others) lady, that doesn't always come across in the book for me.

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

I felt more connected to those bygone times, I felt I knew the key character

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh often, I'm not a cryer but i did get the occasional lump in throatage.

Any additional comments?

This is BBC at it's best, Kris Marshal and Katherine Jakeways bring Sam & Lizzie back to life.
The only thing that got on my nerve endings a little was the song... over and over in many guises but grrr too much 'gather ye roses while you may..... '

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9 people found this helpful

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Well performed and great account of history

My only negative point is the same song that is used repeatedly throughout this audiobook. I’m certain they could have chosen a few different songs from the 1660s to make it less repetitive.

Other than that, very enjoyable.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

It's London, burning up the 60s: the 1660s

In contrast to the simmering upheaval and chaos accompanying the collapse of the Cromwellian regime, the Restoration of an exiled monarch to an English throne whose subjects were only too keen to throw off the yoke of puritanical austerity, ushered in a brief interlude of unbridled but peaceful celebration at the start of a momentous decade, just before all hell broke loose with a devastating plague followed by a ruinous fire. By a miracle, history manages to secure an opportunity to hear a first hand account, often day by day, of a personal witness to the entire tumultuous ten years. The cast brings history's most extraordinary diary to life. Pepys was a lucky, endearing and quick witted scoundrel, who starts his diary with the story of how he ends up on the boat which sets forth to "fetch the king". As a result of the succesfull outcome of this risky mission, he lands the plum job of being in charge of the navy's budget and accounts, for which he and his long-suffering wife are given a nice house near the centre of London, from which he gets to report on everything that happened in London from his own, direct personal experience. His inability, just like the King, to resist any form of human temptation and indulgence, combined with his obsessive attention to detail in his life, work and diary writing, produce an absolutely riveting chronicle and the outstandingly convincing and entertaining performance of this radio drama cast make for an unforgettable listening experience.

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5 people found this helpful

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A remarkable journey back in time

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

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4 people found this helpful

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Brilliant - funny, cruel & real.

Excellent performances from all of the cast. This is a tour de force - recommend you listen to it!

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This is good but

The actors were fine and did justice to the material. The only problem was I felt there was only half of the diaries. Having not read Samuel Pepys Diaries I am willing to accept I am wrong.

I would have been happier with a straight reading.

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3 people found this helpful