Bleak House
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Bleak House
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Narrated by:
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Simon Vance
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Written by:
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Charles Dickens
About this listen
Starting with Esther's account of her lonely, unhappy childhood, her role as protégée of the worthy John Jarndyce, Richard and Ada's guardian, the tale develops the relations between the three young people in the Jarndyce household. Numerous other characters contribute to the complex portrait of society which emerges from the novel. They include the romantic, effusive, and unworldly Harold Skimpole (based on Leigh Hunt, poet, journalist, and critic, who published The Examiner in which he introduced the public to Keats and Shelley); the boisterous, short-tempered Boythorn (based on Walter Savage Landor, poet and essayist, mentor to Robert Browning); Krook, the rag-and-bottle shopkeeper who dies a hideous death by 'spontaneous combustion'; Gridley and the crazed Miss Flite, both ruined by Chancery; Mrs. Jellyby, neglectful of domestic responsibilities in favor of 'telescope philanthropy'; the greasy Mr. Chadband, a parson 'of no particular denomination'; and Conversation Kenge and Mr. Vholes, lawyers both.
Of particular importance to the moral design of the novel is Jo, the crossing-sweeper whose brutish life and death are the instruments for one of Dickens' most savage judgments on an indifferent society.
(P)1998 Blackstone AudiobooksWhat the critics say
"Dickens could not have performed better than Robert Whitfield does here....His brilliant dramatizations range from a homeless street urchin to an arrogant barrister, from a canny old windbag to a high-minded heroine who deserves the happy ending Dickens affords her....This may be one of the most Dickensian novels Dickens ever wrote." (Library Journal)
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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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nilton C. Teixeira
- 2024-03-28
Slow but worth it!
Bleak House was first published in 20 monthly installments between March 1852 and September 1853.
It is considered one of Dickens's finest novels, containing one of the most vast, complex and engaging arrays of minor characters and sub-plots.
The story alternates between a third person narration and the first person narrator of Esther Summerson (who is very sweet, but lacks personality).
Regardless the excellent writing, the development of the story is very slow. It takes some time to feel totally engaged, so I do recommend reading it in small doses, but eventually you’ll get hooked. The last 35% is the best part, in my opinion, with some good twists.
I’m a big fan of the 2005 TV series, adapted by Andrew Davies, who I think did a superb job writing the screenplay (and Gillian Anderson was terrific playing Lady Deadlock - a very gloomy character). I have watched it several times and I’m never tired of it (I do own a copy in DVD).
Because of the screenplay I had this book marked as my favourite book by Dickens, but now, after finally reading the unabridged book (and first time in English), I can say that it is one of my top 5 favourite books.
Paperback (Vintage Classics): 866 pages (no illustrations, notes or appendixes), 67 chapters
ebook (Penguin Classics): includes all original ilustrations - 1378 pages (default), 374k words
PS. This was a re-read, but first time in English (instead of Portuguese, my first language).
I listened to this audiobook as I read the paperback.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Leona G
- 2022-10-25
Rocky start but a strong finish
Heard the narrator yawning a few times and clearing his throat as well but it’s over 30 hours so I suppose that’s expected. As to the story itself I had trouble getting to know the characters at first but eventually figured it all out. The humour doesn’t translate into this century but it’s interesting to see what people might have found funny way back when. I always enjoy Dickens and can usually guess what’s coming, but I like being right so I’m happy.
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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
- Anonymous User
- 2023-10-14
Excellent.
This is a marvelous performance of, I think, my favourite Dickens novel. Characters, story, descriptions rendered the richer by the narrator. Thank you Audible.
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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
- Bella Bekah
- 2023-01-27
Incredible
Dickens has such a rich way of revealing the lives of those who aren’t rich which is refreshing as it shows real life. Beautifully sad and happy.
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