The greatest romantic narrative novel of the early 19th Century, John Halifax, Gentleman, tells the story of an orphan boy whose first words in the story are “Sir, I want work; may I earn a penny?” By hard work, diligent study and an unshakeable faith in his God John attains wealth and happiness, despite much hardship and heartbreak throughout his life. The story chronicles the class movement of the time and gives us a remarkable description of social, political, and industrial change. Set in Gloucestershire in the heart of England and told by Phineas, his soul mate and lifelong friend, who observes John through all his glorious moments, self doubt and resolution, the story is simple, uplifting and heroic.

It is a detailed study of a man and his family that also presents the listener with a broad view of Britain during one of its most troubled times.

A genuine classic, most entertaining and certainly a tale which lives up to the appellation epic in its conception and delivery. ‘John Halifax, Gentleman’ was first published in 1856. Due to popular demand it has never been out of print. This is the first unabridged recording of Dinah Craik’s masterpiece.

Collection	Narrator	Length
Romantic to Regency	Peter Joyce	22 hrs

Media	Compact Disc
Media Qty	19
Audio Format	CD-DA
Book Code	RR-403CD
ISBN	978 1 86015 071-5
Price	£39.49

Dinah Craik (1826-1887) born Dinah Maria Mulock at Longfield Cottage, Hartshill, Stoke-upon-Trent. Her father was a Nonconformist clergyman. She wrote poetry from an early age and helped her mother teach in a small school.

In 1831 the family went to live at Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire where she attended Brampton House Academy. On inheriting some property in 1839, they all moved to London. Dinah continued to study a range of modern and classical languages. Her other interests included drawing and music.

Her first work to be published was a poem on the birth of the Princess Royal which appeared in the Staffordshire Advertiser in 1841. Her career began to take off and she began to move in London literary circles. Her best known work is John Halifax, Gentleman (1857) which features Longfield, named after the cottage in which she was born, and its publication led to a new prosperity. It was printed in many editions in English and in several foreign translations. In 1865 she married George Lillie Craik who was a partner in the company of Macmillan, publishers. Mrs. Craik lived with her husband at Shortlands, Bromley, Kent for the rest of her life.

Dinah was respected for her very generous and compassionate nature and this strength of character can be seen in the rather moralistic tone of much of her poetry, fiction and essays. She felt that true nobility was not dependent upon material wealth and this theme is well developed in John Halifax, gentleman.

Click here to find out more about Dinah Craik.

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