Bleak House

I struggle to imagine a better audiobook. Firstly, it's a great novel by Dickens and has two fantastic narrators. I don't see how Bleak House can be satisfactorily read by one reader now I've heard this version. Sean Barrett and Teresa Gallagher reading Esther Summerson's narrative are both superb. I looked forward to my daily commute eagerly and felt rather bereft when it was over. Sean Barrett is a master of characterisation, not putting a foot wrong throughout the story. His Joe the Crossing Sweeper is a particular highlight!

This version of Bleak House is undoubtedly one of the best Dickens or for that matter any audio books I have listened to, the two narrators pace the book and give the characters a depth that is so often missed in lesser adaptions, if you have wondered what all the fuss is about Dickens then this is the place to start,

Sean Barrett is never less than brilliant but Teresa Gallagher's performance here needs real praise too. Esther's character and her part of the narrative can seem precious to some, but the way in which Gallagher matches Barret's vigour as a caricaturist and yet keeps us anchored in Esther's world view is a challenge that is much harder to achieve or sustain; Gallagher manages to do both, and you end up realising just how rich and subversive Dickens use of this narrator is.

I was looking for reviews of dickens's work to help me to decide what to listen to. The reviews spoke of how good the narrators are, which was the selling point for me. I could not be more delighted. Seriously, I thought it was going to be hard-going, but Teresa Gallagher in particular has drawn me right in. If you are thinking about this, just don't hesitate. Seriously, I can't recommend it enough.

I'm a fan of classics and, in most cases, know what I'm in for when I begin a book. Nevertheless, I almost always enjoy them, and this was the case with Bleak House. Among other things it's always interesting to compare TV versions of the stories with the books, and in this case the TV version is pretty true to the book. When buying a book I consider listening to the samples important because the narrators can make a huge difference to the listening experience. In this case, they were excellent. I always listen to the classics in their unabridged form even though some authors, particulary Dickens, can be a bit long-winded - this is something anyone considering this book should take into account.

This was my first purchase from audible and it was certainly value for money. Brilliantly read and thoroughly compelling. For any Dickens fan this is well worth a listen.

I enjoyed this book as it was read by two different people so you didnt get bored with the reader. I love Charles Dickens books. I will be ordering others books of his. The next one will be Oliver Twist.

This is the first time I have "read" Dickens, having seen oh so many adaptations, and it was a revelation. I was so surprised by how funny his writing is and all the little touches that truly bring the story and charaters to life. As for this adaptation, it is, quite simply, spellbinding. The use of two narrators really brought the story to life and both were exceptional. I have eulogised about this to my wife who now wants to listen and I would be very happy to listen to this time and again. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

This is a wonderful web of life lines that Dickens weaves with sublime expertise. At the back of it is his loathing of the corrupt and inefficient legal system, but the dual narration constantly leaves you wondering just who knows what. It has prompted me to revisit the wonderful BBC series of 2006, where Gillian Anderson plays Lady Dedlock. Having recently enjoyed Little Dorrit I was apprehensive that Bleak House might not have been as good, but I need not have worried.

Not only is this a great work of literature, but the two actors are superb, voicing each of the many characters carefully and amusingly.Thoroughly recommended!