Bleak House


Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)

(4.4 stars; 79 reviews)

Bleak House is the ninth novel by Charles Dickens, published in 20 monthly parts between March 1852 and September 1853. It is widely held to be one of Dickens' finest and most complete novels, containing one of the most vast, complex and engaging arrays of minor characters and sub-plots in his entire canon. Dickens tells all of these both through the narrative of the novel's heroine, Esther Summerson, and as an omniscient narrator. Memorable characters include the menacing lawyer Tulkinghorn, the friendly but depressive John Jarndyce and the childish Harold Skimpole. The plot concerns a long-running legal dispute (Jarndyce and Jarndyce) which has far-reaching consequences for all involved. (Summary from Wikipedia) (43 hr 30 min)

Chapters

In Chancery 26:22 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
In Fashion 23:49 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
A Progress 59:23 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Telescopic Philanthropy 34:41 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
A Morning Adventure 43:27 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Quite at Home 1:07:45 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Ghost's Walk 31:31 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Covering a Multitude of Sins 59:04 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Signs and Tokens 45:46 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Law-Writer 34:22 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Our Dear Brother 45:21 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
On the Watch 41:44 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 42:29 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Deportment 1:04:47 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Bell Yard 45:14 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Tom-all-Alone's 25:29 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 40:20 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Lady Dedlock 52:33 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Moving on 40:44 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
A New Lodger 42:58 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Smallweed Family 54:13 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Mr. Bucket 39:13 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 52:27 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
An Appeal Case 50:17 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Mrs. Snagsby Sees it All 28:51 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Sharpshooters 38:22 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
More Old Soldiers than One 38:06 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Ironmaster 36:12 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Young Man 30:13 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 47:03 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Nurse and Patient 48:19 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Appointed Time 41:37 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Interlopers 45:39 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
A Turn of the Screw 43:17 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 45:48 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Chesney Wold 50:30 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Jarndyce and Jarndyce 58:11 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
A Struggle 31:43 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Attorney and Client 50:20 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
National and Domestic 38:29 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
In Mr. Tulkinghorn's Room 27:36 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
In Mr. Tulkinghorn's Chambers 23:18 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 43:51 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Letter and the Answer 21:40 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
In Trust 37:05 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Stop him! 25:33 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Jo's Will 39:55 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Closing In 46:51 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Dutiful Friendship 40:22 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 27:53 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Enlightened 30:54 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Obstinacy 30:28 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Track 31:56 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Springing a Mine 58:48 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Flight 45:01 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Pursuit 23:15 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 49:38 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
A Wintry Day and Night 40:34 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 35:01 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Perspective 36:07 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
A Discovery 30:00 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Another Discovery 25:36 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Steel and Iron 22:55 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Esther's Narrative 32:55 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Beginning the World 19:42 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
Down in Lincolnshire 13:48 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)
The Close of Esther's Narrative 12:58 Read by Cynthia Lyons (1946-2011)

Reviews

Homemade and Charming


(4 stars)

Bleak House is a charming story full of unforgettable characters. Ms. Lyons does tend to knock her mic around a bit and stumble here and there, but as you proceed through the story you get the feeling a good friend is reading to you, rather than some distant professional. Her rendition of the characters also contributes to their charm. I was sorry the story had to end . . .

Most Excellent Audio!


(5 stars)

Bleak House is now, quite soundly, my very favorite Dickens novel, and being his only work with a female narrator, it deserves a female reader. Cynthia Lyons gives us a spectacular recording that is charming, easy on the ear, and never makes you think her amateur status is any kind of liability. So very glad I happened upon her work here.

One OUTSTANDING novel !


(4 stars)

Absolutely one of Dickens best works. Highly recommended read. I would give it five stars but the rating site won’t allow me to activate the fifth star for some reason.

Well done


(5 stars)

I really enjoy the narration of this book. She has a nice tone of voice and does a really good job making everything understandable and easy to listen to.

Great book


(4.5 stars)

Great story. Took a few chapters to really get going though. Well read. Thank you for the mammoth effort. Enjoyed.


(4 stars)

Takes a very long time to get into it, but good story once all is said and done.

Great


(5 stars)

I loved "reading" this book for the second time in this recording. Well done!

oops!


(5 stars)

My review below should apply to the Mil Nicholson reading. That reading is superb!