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Bleak House

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Bleak House

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Hugh Dickson
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About this listen

 The case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce has ground its way through the courts for generations. At its heart are Ada Clare and Richard Carstone, who find love - and terrible loss - through their involvement in the endless battle.

Meanwhile, her friend Esther Summeson, who believes she is an orphan, gradually discovers the truth of her identity. The court case throws out a web ensnaring all who come near it, including Lady Dedlock, the menacing lawyer Tulkingham, detective Bucket and tragic little waif Jo.

Secrets emerge, crimes are committed and love affairs bloom. But will anyone ever benefit from the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce?

©2008 BBC Audiobooks Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Classics Heartfelt
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Even (make it specially) if you've read this a few times, it's worth listening to this version. Hugh Dickson does an amazing job.

A Great Listen

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Now, first of all let me just acknowledge to all purists that i am aware that it is not entirely the done thing to criticize a much celebrated writer of what is supposed to be called classic literature in the strictest sense of the word but criticize is all I can do of a man whom is celebrated as a great master of the art of Victorian writing. This book is probably the worst example of what might be described as part caracature and part self-portrait I have ever heard. Trying to be funny and yet corny this book ahs no plot and nothing to hold the attention. The characters spend money they don't have since it's supposedly all tied up in a lawsuit which is so tangled up there's no way out of it yet money is of no object. The characters themselves are by turns sentimental, annoying and unlikely. In short this example of classic literature is simply unworthy of its craft or its author. Don't read it if you think of yourself as a Dickens fan or you'll change your mind unless there's something I'm missing here. The book is too long and not at all engaging. The narator just about saves it from complete disaster.

Please excuse and forgive me if I should yawn or fall asleep

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One of my favourite Dickens novels, although to be fair, Esther can be a wee bit irritating, especially when she jingles her little basket of keys while talking to herself in the mirror! However, Lady D. is a stunning character and Tulkinghorn is superbly interpreted by the narrator. Yes, it's long and also - being Victorian - it has its fair share of sanctimonious moralising, but it's brilliantly constructed and a jolly fine listen.
!

A classic Classic!

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Charles Dickens what can one say - amazing number of characters, means you need to focus or rewind (which I did a lot). I enjoyed the book though.

Classic audiobook

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Incredible selection of voices from the narrator brought all the characters to life. Guppy, jarndyce, boythorn, bucket of the detective, we're all excellent. Vohles was hard to hear and Kenge annoyingly slow, but that was true to their character. Incredible book.

Excellent narration

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