Les Miserables cover art

Les Miserables

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Unlimited access to our all-you-can-listen catalogue of 15K+ audiobooks and podcasts
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Les Miserables

By: Victor Hugo
Narrated by: Full Cast, Joss Ackland, Roger Allam
Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

About this listen

Joss Ackland, Roger Allam and Leslie Phillips star in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel.

When poverty drives Jean Valjean to steal a loaf of bread from a baker’s window, it is an action that will haunt him for the rest of his life. A citizen of post-revolutionary France, he is sentenced to nineteen years’ hard labour. On his release, his fortunes change and he becomes a respectable businessman and member of society - and yet his past continues to dog him in the form of the sadistic Inspector Javert, who seems determined to pursue Valjean to the grave.

A student uprising is gaining momentum in Paris, and barricades are being built around the city. Valjean’s adopted daughter, Cosette, has fallen in love with the young revolutionary Marius, and the lives of all three are in peril unless they can flee to safety.

Some of the most significant moments in 19th Century history form the backdrop for Victor Hugo’s powerful story, in which love and heroism march in the face of poverty and social injustice.

 19th Century Audio Performances & Dramatisations Classics Dramatisations Entertainment & Performing Arts Historical Fiction Military Modern Funny
All stars
Most relevant
I was apprehensive regarding ‘Les Miserables’ as my French is abysmal and I don’t like singing in stories. Okay to address the first point, nope you don’t need to know le Francais (or should that be la Francais?). Secondly my expectation has clearly been clouded by the West End musical and film adaptation. Thankfully there’s no singing!

Moving on from my ignorance, what you do get is an engaging story lead by the marvellous Roger Allam who plays the lead role of Jean Valjean, and the wonderful tones of Joss Ackland who narrates.

A really enjoyable dramatisation.

C’est magnifique!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Extremely good dramatisation of a classic novel. I have never seen the stage version or film and have never read the book (the title is off putting!) but I’m glad I listened to this.

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
this was brilliantly done an engaging performance of one of the great novels. I enjoyed the characterisations and very well produced. well done bbc

Excellent a brilliant dramatisation

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An excellent production, well cast, acted, b
narrayex and presented. All the atmosphere is there. It's a regular listen for me.

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent, really enjoyed this. I have seen the musical many times and this is as good as many of the finest i have ever seen.

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews