The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

Mordecai Richler

ISBN 10: 0864923635 ISBN 13: 9780864923639

Publisher: BTC Audiobooks, 2005

Synopsis

The dazzling tale of a clever young rogue who makes good (or at least makes money), The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz established Mordecai Richler as one of the great comic writers of the twentieth century. Determined to claw his way out of Montreal’s Jewish ghetto, young Duddy takes to heart his grandfather’s maxim that “a man without land is nobody.” In his relentless pursuit of property and a big-time reputation, the cynical dreamer lies, cheats, and hurts everyone who loves him. Amoral, yet oddly endearing, Duddy Kravitz is one of the most charismatic anti-heroes of all time — a man who learns the hard way that dreams are not exactly what they seem, even when they do come true. Abridged by the author himself and featuring the melodious voice of Broadway’s Paul Hecht, along with original music and sound effects, this superb archival recording (which first aired on CBC Radio in 1980) captures the frenetic pacing and sharp wit of Richler’s 1959 masterpiece.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz is the novel that established Mordecai Richler as one of the world?s best comic writers. Growing up in the heart of Montreal?s Jewish ghetto, Duddy Kravitz is obsessed with his grandfather?s saying, ?A man without land is nothing.? In his relentless pursuit of property and his drive to become a somebody, he will wheel and deal, he will swindle and forge, he will even try making movies. And in spite of the setbacks he suffers, the sacrifices he must make along the way, Duddy never loses faith that his dream is worth the price he must pay. This blistering satire traces the eventful coming-of-age of a cynical dreamer. Amoral, inventive, ruthless, and scheming, Duddy Kravitz is one of the most magnetic anti-heroes in literature, a man who learns the hard way that dreams are never exactly what they seem, even when they do come true.

From the Back Cover:

Determined to claw his way out of Montreal’s Jewish ghetto, young Duddy Kravitz takes to heart his grandfather’s maxim that “a man without land is nobody.” In his relentless pursuit of property and a big-time reputation, this cynical dreamer lies, cheats, and hurts everyone who loves him. Ruthless and yet oddly endearing, Duddy is one of the most charismatic anti-heroes of all time — a man who learns the hard way that dreams are not exactly what they seem, even when they come true. The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz established Richler as one of North America’s great comic writers. Abridged by the author himself and featuring the melodious voice of Broadway’s Paul Hecht, this superb archival recording captures the frentic pacing and sharp wit of the 1959 masterpiece.

About this edition

• Publisher: BTC Audiobooks
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0864923635
• ISBN 13: 9780864923639
• Binding: Audio CD