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Bleak House

The Audible Dickens Collection

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Bleak House

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes
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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, Ltd
Classics

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

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A masterpiece, wonderfully performed

Listening to Bleak House was an extraordinary, immersive experience. I am in awe of Dickens' humanity and clarity of perception, and so grateful to Miriam Margolyes who brought the story and its characters so vividly to life.

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perfect version

Miriam Margoyles performance is brilliant. One of the best narrations I've ever heard. She brings the characters to life.

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Myriam Margolyes narrated

Myriam Margolyes narration one of the best most sensitive understanding of the text. All the voices so clearly delineated remarkable performance. If you’re looking for the best narration this is the one. Well paced beautiful tender sorrowful joyous. I can’t recommend more highly. Bravo Ms Margolyes

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Make Miriam Margolyes a Dame! what a triumph!

Sickens comes to life through Miriam Margolyed triumphant performance. Story and characters to forever remember .

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Loved it

Love Miriam Margoyles narrating this book. Really brings the characters to life. Great story. Loved it!

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Enthralling performance of epic story

Miriam Margolyes superbly brings to life every single character and scene in this magnificent saga. So many times I was almost in tears at her performance of Dickens’ tragic characters. I am bereft now it is finished!

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This is Monty Pythonesque in its character descriptions.

I loved it and am recommending it to all my friends. An indictment on the legal system of the time. Tragic funny and sad all at the same time

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Dickens : the easy way.

Loved the social commentary of the times . I think I hear the indignation at the injustices. Beautiful prose wonderful voice rendered by Miriam Margolis. Esther is a bit too good to be true. I will be downloading more Dickens.

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Very enjoyable

This is a long book but the story moves along and is interesting. The narration is exceptional and adds greatly to the enjoyment. I 'read' it over a couple of months and it was quite easy to recall between listenings. Of course it is quite ironic and Dickens has fun with some characters and is very sentimental with others. We'll worth it

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Most wonderful presentation

This book has been a delight from its beginning to end. A reader could not have drawn so much from a solitary reading as has been bestowed by the narrator’s exceptional characterisations.

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