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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

By: Robert Tressell
Narrated by: Tony Robinson
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About this listen

 There is no other novel quite like The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. George Orwell called it "a wonderful book"; its readers have become a living part of its remarkable history.

Tressell's novel is about survival on the underside of the Edwardian Twilight, about exploitative employment when the only safety nets are charity, workhouse, and grave. Following the fortunes of a group of painters and decorators and their families, and the attempts to rouse their political will by the Socialist visionary Frank Owen, the audiobook is both a highly entertaining story and a passionate appeal for a fairer way of life. It asks questions that are still being asked today: why do yourwages bear no relation to the value of your work? Why do fat cats get richer when you don't? Tressell's answers are "The Great Money Trick" and the "philanthropy" of an unenlightened workforce, who give away their rights and aspirations to a decent life so freely.

Intellectually enlightening, deeply moving, and gloriously funny (complete with exploding clergyman), The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a book that changes lives.

©2004 CSA Telltapes Ltd (P)2004 CSA Telltapes Ltd Classics Funny

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Critic reviews

"A brilliant and very funny book." ( The Spectator)
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An abridged version of a book that still resonates and remains very thought provoking. Robinson excellent though having an actual MP do the speeches is a little stiff!

Timely as well as historically interesting

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A timeless tale of the how we are all duped by the wealthy few. A story that is relatable today as it was when first written

True tale

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Either I have just wasted five hours or I've just save 20 hours. I can't make my mind up which. This is an abridged version of the novel, so without knowing the full version I don't know whether this is the 'best bits' or just the socialist manifesto extracted from it. The choice of Tony Robinson narrating works on one level, he has the right voice for the character, but my association of him with Baldrick did put me off as at times it was as if Baldrick was explaining one of his cunning plans. I don't know who the narrator for Barrington was, but having a second narrator come in 3/4 the way through didn't work for me and the voice didn't fit. I found it hard to pick up the story in between the lengthy socialist tracts, so overall I felt that this version may not have done the full book justice. On the other hand, if the full book is just a lengthier version of this, I'm glad I save the extra 20 hours involved in listening to it!

History according to Baldrick

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I was recommended this book by a ‘socialist’ friend. I’d describe myself as centrist so listened with an open mind. The book is basically a manifesto that serves to put the birth of socialism in its historical contest. It is also salient in the fact that socialist ideals seems to have become fashionable again amongst the younger middle class metropolitans.

The ‘plot’ is basically wrapped around a speech on socialism, delivered by ‘Barrington’ who actually sounds like Tony Blair (with reverb added to his voice in order to - I presume - give it more gravitas. However, it only makes it sound weird given that the setting is a small room). It is punctuated by the ignorant workers with (unreverbed) mockney accents interrupting with lame arguments against socialism which are easily brushed aside by ‘Barrington’ and concludes with a brass band crescendo, which again is just.. weird.

If you’re die-hard Leftwing, you’ll love this book. If not it just comes across as dated and naive. If you’re somewhere in the middle and think the historical ideals espoused in this book have any validity, then George Orwell’s ‘1984’ and ‘Animal Farm’ are a great counterpoints.

It’s one saving grace is that Tony Robinson is one of the best narrators around.

OK except for ‘Barrington’ sounding like a preachy ‘Tony Blair’

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a timeless classic. society is still the same today as it was then. which in my eyes is very sad

amazing

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My late Father was a painter and decorator from his apprenticeship at 14 until he retired at 72. He worked during the period the book is set in and assured me that the treatment metered out by the bosses and foremen were just as described. He gave me the book to read when I was too young to understand the implications of being out of work in those days. It is a great pity it is an abridged version as the book gives a very good insight into the home lives and struggles of the 'common man' at that time. The women who cared for husbands and children on very little money are true heroines. The reasoning regarding the idealised vision of the Labour Party is very convincing - what a pity it never happened! The little comic moments must have been a great relief to the men doing such hard work. I am now 71 and can clearly remember seeing my Father pushing a barrow laden with ladders and tins of paint. He and his mate would sometimes trudge for up to 2 hours before and after work - it could not happen in this day and age but this book is a wonderfully enlightening listen.

True to Life

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I would never have chosen this book but for a friend recommending it to me as being a good read many years ago. In all those intervening years I never came across it - until spotting it on audible.

The only reason I give it 4 stars rather than five is that it is an abridged version and although I have never read the unabridged book I could tell it was abridged by the way the story seemed to jump in places leaving little story threads unfinished. To be honest I simply can't understand why publishers produce abridged versions of books - but I suppose that little debate is out of place here.

Abridgment aside though - don't be put off downloading this. My friend was right - it's a gem! I cannot believe how little the life of the common man has changed since this was written and just how relevant and fresh the message contained in the book still is. For the first time I understand the underlying principles of socialism and feel so sad that despite its high ideals it seems so unattainable.

Don't get me wrong - despite its theme, this book is not all serious, in fact it's highly entertaining, and Tony Robinson (Baldric from Blackadder) was the ideal choice for narrator.

This was an audio credit well spent.

Fascinating - What a shame it's abridged.

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wonderful, ironic and sad. This book is a testament of exploitation and miss judged ideas. I'm alright Jack.

wonderful

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Outstanding, simply Outstanding, shame is we don't seem to have progressed a great deal over the years.

Thought provoking

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Awesome book the only thing to make it better would have been Jeremy Corbyn reading Barrington.

Everyone needs to read hear this

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