Bleak House
The Audible Dickens Collection
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Bleak House
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Narrated by:
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Miriam Margolyes
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By:
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Charles Dickens
About this listen
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.
Public Domain (P)2018 Audible, LtdListeners also enjoyed...
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)
What listeners say about Bleak House
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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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
- MS REBECCA WARREN
- 22-01-19
The Best Ever Narration I have Ever Heard
Bleak House has always been one of my favorite Dickens novels. I have always had my in own imagination what the characters sounded like and looked like, the narration brought all the people to life as they were in my head. Thank you Miriam Margolyes . Can she be given an OSCAR equivalent for this book.
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2 people found this helpful
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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
- G. Lewis
- 05-08-20
Superb delivery
It is a very long listen. The descriptions can be wordy but they paint the perfect picture. I think most modern audiences lack the attention span for such literature. The first hand insights to the social layers found in Victorian society, especially the stories of Jo and Charlie are particularly moving.
Miriam Margolyes is an incredible talent. I loved her delivery.
I give this rating because I could not get myself to complete the book, but this Ms Margolye’s delivery made it a very enjoyable listen.
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1 person found this helpful
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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
- Mrs. Wendy Hawkins
- 17-05-18
Absolutely wonderful
Captivating throughout and so well performed! I enjoyed every minute! Brought to life wonderfully well!
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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
- Amazon Customer
- 12-12-19
Great book
A superb book made very special with the truly excellent narration! I would highly recommend it!
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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
- Aron
- 25-07-19
Incredible!
Miriam Margolyes is just an astounding talent! She gives a spoiler alert in her commentary in the beginning of the recording but not much time to do much about it, so I ended up hearing it and was a little annoyed. However, it mattered not in the slightest, because when it came to that part of the story, I found myself weeping thoroughly anyway. Dickens is such an incredible writer, and Miriam Margolyes such an incredible performer; the two are perfectly matched. I truly loved it!
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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
- Chana Weisz
- 18-11-21
Unbelievable
This audiobook performance is unparalleled. It feels like a full cast rather than one reader.
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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
- PC
- 08-05-21
Superlative beyond words
I hadn't thought it would be possible to find a narration of a Dickens work which matched the superb quality of Juliet Stevenson's narration of "Little Dorrit" - until I tried this one. I can find no fault whatever with any aspect of Miriam Margolyes' narration. Characterisation for every single one of the multitude of characters was distinctive, true to Dickens' own description of them, and maintained throughout. Male and female voices were all equally good. Pace was absolutely perfect. Intonation, emotion, humour were all equally spot-on - really, I'm at a loss for words.
The plot and number / type of characters is typical of Dickens, but the story is well-sustained and gripping, especially when brought to vivid life so expertly by the narration.
If you like Dickens, I cannot recommend this highly enough to you. (I think it might even convert someone who never really liked Dickens!)
My only disappointment is finding that Miriam Margolyes doesn't appear to have done very many other narrations. I do hope she will do more.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- david robinson
- 26-02-21
too long for me
I found this story as good as it was much to long to hold my attention had to push it forward a few hours, Miriam Margulies very good narrator 11 out of 10
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- marshun
- 08-04-21
Brilliant reading by Miriam Margolyes
A long haul, but brilliantly read. Ms Margolyes' ability to give all the characters distinctive vocal characteristics made the story enjoyable and the plot easy to follow.
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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
- Amazon Customer
- 06-11-18
loved it
maybe because I am older I appreciate Mr Dickens much more.It was probably made so enjoyable by the narrator. So clever,so sublime,so inspirational.A masterpiece.
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