Bleak House

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Jim Killavey

In its oppressive atmosphere of fog, mist, and mud, nothing conjures up the dreary days of November and its "implacable" weather like the celebrated opening of Bleak House. The plot concerns a long-running legal dispute (Jarndyce and Jarndyce) that has far-reaching consequences for all involved. Dickens' assault on the flaws of the British judiciary system is based in part on his own experiences as a law clerk. His harsh characterization of the slow, arcane Chancery law process gave voice to widespread frustration with the system, helping to set the stage for its eventual reform in the 1870s.

This novel represents the highest point of Dickens' intellectual maturity. Over the years, it has been one of his most popular books, and it was recently turned into a PBS film starring Gillian Anderson.

Public Domain (P)1987 Jimcin Recordings

Critic reviews

"Vigorous satire....[with] a host of interesting minor characters." (The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature)

Not the best voice

This was one of the first audiobooks I bought and I didn't realize that you could listen to a sample. Every time I tried to listen to this, I would fall asleep and I thought it was me. I loved the words and the way Dickens writes, but I did find the narrator's voice sounded similar to a computer generated voice. I took the time to listen to the samples of all the versions of this book and I found there were much more animated versions. I realize it must be an onerous task to narrate such a tome and the narrator was probably trying to save energy to carry himself through... As some other reviewers have recommended, listen to the sample first and then try the samples of other narrators...

Confusing

I have just finished listening to the book but had to go back and listen to things over again. My download duplicated a 20 minute segment of part 5 right in the middle of part 3. At 4hours 45 minutes 55 seconds into part 3 this little clip was added from out of nowhere. I don't know if the section was recorded over something I missed or if it was just inserted. Anyhow, being 23 hours into the book it was not a welcome addition. I kept wondering about that clip and how out of place it was, then I finally heard the exact same clip in its correct place nearer the end of the book in section 5 where it made much more sense. Other than that, I enjoyed the book and the characters as read by the narrator.

Not a good narration

I generally like anything by Dickens, but I agree with the reviewer from MD below that the narrator is horrible. I would add that he seems to have no rhythm in his reading. It is choppy and pauses at awkward places mid sentence or mid thought. As for comment below about listening to the example before buying, it is sometimes hard to get a good idea of how good or bad the narrator is based on those examples.

Great Listen

Bleak House is a satire which looks at the extremely complicated legal system in London as it eats away at the minds and talents of the greedy and nearly destroys the lives of many innocent people. Anyone who has been involved in a legal battle even in these modern times will certainly appreciate it.
Listening to BLEAK HOUSE is like going to an immense party where the guests are as varied and colorful a group of people as you will ever meet.
There are over fifty characters in the book so you never know who you may show up next. However, they are all delightful. A thoroughly entertaining and engrossing listen: poignant, suspenseful and unforgettable. A great work from a master storyteller! Well read, too. Five stars!

Superb Narration

The narrator is simply wonderful. He combines with Dickens to make the reader relate to the lively characters through all the twists and turns of the fascinating plot. This is a jolly good story. The atmosphere is simply marvellous. Read this story and you will become totally immersed in the plot, place and people. I loved it.