The Card


Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)

(4.7 stars; 224 reviews)

The ‘Card’ in question is Edward Henry Machin - His mother called him ‘Denry’. This light-hearted story is of his rise from humble beginnings as the son of a washerwoman and sempstress in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, in the pottery towns (which Arnold Bennett christened ‘The Five Towns’) of the English Midlands; how, by his own wits, enterprise and ‘nerve’ he rose to wealth, married bliss and public recognition as the youngest-ever mayor of his home town.

“’And yet,’ demanded Councillor Barlow, ‘what’s he done? What great cause is he identified with?
’‘He’s identified,’ said the speaker, ‘with the great cause of cheering us all up’.” (summary by Andy Minter) (7 hr 58 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 – The Dance 39:05 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 2 – The Widow Hullin’s House 41:03 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 3 – The Pantechnicol 44:29 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 4 – The Wrecking of a Life 36:20 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 5 – The Mercantile Marine 43:05 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 6 – His Burglary 39:40 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 7 – The Rescuer of Dames 40:50 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 8 – Raising a Wigwam 43:24 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 9 – The Great Newspaper War 36:39 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 10 – His Infamy 41:35 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 11 – In the Alps 41:09 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)
Chapter 12 – The Supreme Honour 31:02 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)

Reviews

great adventure and funny story


(5 stars)

Andy Minter was and is my favorite narrator I was very sad to hear he had passed away if you have a chance, listen to everything he ever narrated for LibriVox. There are many novels and series by Arnold Bennett in addition to this who is such a great author who fills his books with subtle and not-so-subtle humor and brilliant characters all around, some you will hate some you will love and everything in between.

What a card!


(5 stars)

Well, now I know what a "card" is - and Denry Machin fits the definition to a tee. Just what will he do next? And what vistas of British society and wit will he reveal whilst doing it? This was a fun book, on so many levels. I came to it knowing nothing about Arnold Bennett - but thoroughly enjoyed his writing. Andy Minter is an excellent reader and brought the characters alive with his voicing.

PLEASANT SURPRISE


(5 stars)

I never heard of Arnold Bennett, but that was my loss. What a great storyteller he is--satire and humor without meanness It didn't hurt that Andy Minter was the reader. Thanks, Andy.

Ferris Buehler in Edwardian England


(5 stars)

That's Denry Machin, the eponymous "card." It's a witty, wonderful "read," with lots of humor and some not unkind judgments of various classes of England at the time. Andy Minter's reading is superb. The production quality is almost professional - quite listenable - and is voice is all the way professional.

Wonderful book. Wonderful reading


(5 stars)

This is such an uplifting novel. The characters especially the hero, Denry, are so very likeable. Found myself laughing uncontrollably on the chapters relating to the duchess and the mule and the honeymoon in Switzerland. Thank you Andy Minter. You are simply brilliant.

Highly entertaining!


(5 stars)

I had never before heard of this author; what a find! I was highly entertained throughout and am greatly looking forward to listening to the sequel. Also, this is a wonderful reader!

Something you must hear


(5 stars)

This is a wonderful story written by a master story teller. Andy Minter's reading is simply the best audio book I have ever heard amateur or professional. Do try

Really a fun read!!!


(5 stars)

I absolutely loved this! Very funny in a ´ quiet sort of way. The main character was a good-hearted young man with an unusual personality, never afraid to take chances on the spur of the moment. Often his adventures that seemed foolish at first would turn out profitable. From a background of poverty he eventually became financially successful. He often was creative, clever or daring enough to make good use of a chance situation and seize the moment. I ran out of Wodehouse stories on Librivox and could find no other similar to fill that void until I happily discovered this. I plan to read more by Arnold Bennett asap. Highly recommend! The reader did a wonderful job. Thank you.