How Long to Read The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

How Long Does it Take to Read The Expedition of Humphry Clinker?

It takes the average reader 9 hours and 23 minutes to read The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, Tobias Smollett's last published novel and most celebrated work, appeared in June 1771, three months before the author's death. A classic in the history of the English novel, it takes the form of a collection of letters written by various members of Mr. Matthew Bramble's family (for whom Humphry Clinker is a general servant) during their eight months of travel in England and Scotland in the 1760s. The wanderings of the Bramble party result in a series of amusing adventures and episodes, unfolding within the main plot in which the eccentric and contentious characters--originals as Bramble's nephew calls them--discover the sources of true happiness. In this work, Smollett realized two long-standing artistic goals--a harmonious fusion of satire and comedy and, through the deliberate intertwining of historical and contrived details, a portrayal of the world as constructed from both fiction and fact. In achieving the latter, Smollett was aided by the novel's form, for the epistolary style of travel books in his day set a precedent for the extensive commentary on incidents, experiences, people, and places in Humphry Clinker and allowed him to relate the same stories through multiple points of view. Much of the continuing appeal of the novel can be traced to the gossipy insights found in its mass of historical, biographical, economic, political, social, geographical, and topographical details. One meets, for example, Smollett's version of such historical personages as William Pitt, James Quin, and the Duke of Newcastle, as well as fictionalized versions of Smollett's own friends and enemies. Even minor characters are often taken directly from history. In addition, the book includes numerous quotations from and allusions to the Bible, earlier and contemporary literature, the Book of Common Prayer, medical matter, and proverbial lore. This edition of Humphry Clinker includes illustrations by George Cruikshank and Thomas Rowlandson and is the first scholarly edition to feature a comprehensive introduction, exhaustive textual editing, and detailed notes that cite passages from Smollett's nonfictional works and the works of his contemporaries to analyze the mass of allusions and references in the novel. Thomas R. Preston's introduction discusses the composition, publication, and early reception of Humphry Clinker, the crucial importance of money in the narrative and its revelation of character, and Smollett's use of language and dialect.

How long is The Expedition of Humphry Clinker?

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett is 561 pages long, and a total of 140,811 words.

This makes it 189% the length of the average book. It also has 172% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Expedition of Humphry Clinker Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 12 hours and 49 minutes to read The Expedition of Humphry Clinker aloud.

What Reading Level is The Expedition of Humphry Clinker?

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Expedition of Humphry Clinker?

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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