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Bleak House
- The Audible Dickens Collection
- Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes
- Length: 43 hrs and 12 mins
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Bleak House
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Summary
Audie Award, 2019: Literary Fiction and Classics
Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award 2018
This Audible Exclusive performance of Bleak House features a unique introduction written and narrated by Miriam Margolyes.
Recognised as one of Dickens' most accomplished titles, Bleak House has impressed critics and audiences alike since it was first published in 1852. The novel boasts one of the most intelligent and engaging plots in all of English literature and is sure to engage the listener's imagination as it transports us back in time to the seedy, grimy and hazardous streets of Victorian London.
This release is part of the Dickens Collection, an exclusive series of unmissable performances available throughout 2018.
About the audiobook:
At the heart of Bleak House is the longstanding case of Jarndyce v. Jarndyce - a damning portrayal of the 19th century legal system. Dickens shines a light on the impact that overdrawn court proceedings could have on the lives of those involved, specifically through two of his protagonists, Richard Carstone and his beloved Ada Clare.
Dickens' unassuming heroine, Esther Summerson, along with the equally benevolent owner of Bleak House, John Jarndyce, attempts to guide the young lovers, Richard and Ada, to live their lives unaffected by the court proceedings. But with the introduction of some typically Dickensian characters such as Grandfather Smallweed and Mr Tulkinghorn, trouble soon ensues for all who cross their paths.
About the author:
Having experienced the incarceration of his father, Charles Dickens had to abandon his studies at a young age and set to work in a factory so as to support himself. Despite his short-lived education, Dickens went on to write 15 novels, various articles, novellas and short stories. He lectured and led campaigns for children's rights and education and arguably became the ultimate self-made man. Bleak House offers unique insight into the mind-set of a middle-aged Charles Dickens and the exceptional way in which his artistic skill had grown and developed by then.
About the narrator:
Miriam Margolyes is an award-winning stage and screen actress, best known for her roles in The Age of Innocence, Little Dorrit, Sunshine, Cold Comfort Farm and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Her stage credits include The Vagina Monologues, Romeo & Juliet, The Threepenny Opera, The Canterbury Tales and her own one-woman show, Dickens' Woman. Miriam has always been a keen admirer of Charles Dickens and demonstrates a profound understanding of his themes and writing style through her skilful narration of Bleak House.
Behind the scenes with Miriam Margolyes
The BAFTA Award-winning actress and much-loved narrator among Audible members shares her thoughts on performing Bleak House.Critic reviews
"Such a miraculously good new audio version of this great novel is cause for hats in the air.... Margolyes clearly loves this material and brilliantly displays Dickens's genius for plotting, nailing human foibles, and shining light on social cruelties. It's a gobsmacking performance, on a par with Jim Dale's protean work on the Harry Potter novels. Ms. Margolyes contains multitudes." (AudioFile)
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What listeners say about Bleak House
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tara
- 08-03-19
Miriam Margolyes slays it!
Even though the book could run on at times it’s still stunning and one of the things that made it so special for me was Miriam Margolyes. I forgot it was just one person much of the time and I was able to tell people apart after a short time. I think this is now one of my all time favourite audiobooks. She honestly just killed it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gary B.
- 14-07-18
Masterful storytelling; masterfully told
I had seen many of Dicken's stories but had never read them. Now, having gone closer by listening to Bleak House, I have a greater sense as to why he is so (rightfully) revered. Wonderful, intertwining of lives with believable characters who are also symbols for the themes. Amazingly current whilst also rooted in Dickensian England.
All this is so greatly enhanced by the narrator. Dickens himself would take his hat off to her. And if I was wearing one, I would too. Amazing - such skill.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 21-01-20
Sensational performance
Evokes the true essence of Dickens. MMs characterisation is wonderful, particularly the male and young characters.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- A. Shipley
- 13-03-21
wonderful
This is a superb telling of an excellent story, told from the heart with passion.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 15-04-21
Beautifully read!
I loved how Miriam Margolyes delivered this complex story. Her use of voice and presence really made this very long book gripping and easy to follow.
My only negative feed back would be that the audible chapters don’t marry with the chapters being read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Stuart Nelmes
- 15-09-20
Fresh, well told, delightful
Beautifully read, excellent characterisation, fascinating insight into the victorian inequalities. Having never read a Dickens book this was my first, and Miriam made it fascinating.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nick Baggott
- 14-03-21
Immensely satisfying and enjoyable
Miriam Margolyes gives an absolutely stellar performance, bringing a huge cast of characters to life and giving each their own distinctive voice.
I really enjoyed the novel. It's wonderfully plotted and populated with so many larger-than-life characters. My particular favourite is Bucket, the detective, but there are so many others.
Bleak House was one of my set books at university 50 years ago but I never made the time to read it. More fool me. I'm so pleased to have put that right after all this time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Miss Daisy
- 16-04-19
Superb reading
Bleak House is one of my favourite books. It is enhanced by this wonderful performance. The characters are distinctive and the accents are perfect. Even though this book is very long I didn’t want it to end. The reader does full justice to this classic novel.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JMS
- 11-08-21
Brilliant listen Margolyes is an outstanding narrator bringing Dickens to life
Whilst at time overwhelming in its duration, this proved to be a fantastic listen. It took us over 14 return journeys in the car from our grandson’s over a period of 12 months, but since it was written in episodes this made it even more like the manner in which it was originally delivered.
Margolyes is an amazing narrator and her ability to bring to life all the myriad of characters, never seemingly fail to guarantee the specific voice at the specific time is nothing short or miraculous. This was my first introduction to a full Dickens novel and what a way to start.
Whilst at times the narrative rambles it is always a tour de force of the English language and once Inspector Bucket appears it ticks along like a great detective.
Despite the 43 hours we were distraught when it came to an end, how on earth will be enable a dull 3 hour journey on the M40 and M6 pass by in what seems like moments. Another Dickens? But without Miriam? Something lighter I feel for now.
Great listen and wholly recommended, don’t let the duration put you off, taken as episodes it is brilliant.
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- Tazzie
- 25-11-19
Superb Performance
I’ve never heard such an incredible reading before. The accents, the passion and the timbre if the voice. The story was so detailed it sometimes got confusing but still a great novel.
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