Little Dorrit cover art

Little Dorrit

The Audible Dickens Collection

Preview

£0.00 for first 30 days

Try for £0.00
Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Little Dorrit

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Buy Now for £23.99

Buy Now for £23.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

This Audible Exclusive production revisits Charles Dickens’ tragi-comic novel Little Dorrit. Written during the Crimean War, it a story of fortunes won and lost and a masterly portrayal of the failings of Victorian Society, with the ever-present spectre of law enforcement and imprisonment looming over a fearful population.

One of his later works, Dickens’ maturity shines through this masterpiece and a uniquely powerful and touching love story ensues from amongst scenes of heart-wrenching injustice.

About the book

Following the death of his beloved father, Arthur Clennam returns to his home in London in order to reunite with his wheelchair-bound mother.

Narrowly escaping from the clutches of his former fiancée, Flora Finching, Arthur finds solace in the company of his mother’s new seamstress, the innocent and sweet Little Amy Dorrit.

The youngest of three children, Amy works hard to support her father, who, as Arthur learns, has been imprisoned in Marshalsea debtors’ prison since before her time. Without a mother to care for them, Little Dorrit and her siblings reside with Mr Dorrit, and she, being the most caring of them all, takes it upon herself to pay off his debts through her needlework.

Wishing to find out more about their serendipitous connection and how such a girl could possibly have ended up in his mother’s well-to-do household, Arthur sets out to help Amy and uncover the Clennam’s long-held family secrets, a journey which will inevitably alter the course of both of their lives.

About the author

Like Mr William Dorrit, Dickens’ father was held at Marshalsea debtors’ prison, the memory of which haunted Dickens for years to come and eventually inspired him to transform his childhood recollections into a book entitled Little Dorrit.

At a young age, Charles Dickens had to abandon his studies and set to work in a factory so as to support himself.

Despite his short-lived education, Dickens went on to write 15 novels and 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.

About the narrator

Juliet Stevenson CBE is an Olivier award-winning actress known for her career spanning theatre, film and television. Her film credits include Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Truly Madly Deeply (1990). Juliet starred in Robert Icke’s 2017/2018 adaptation of Mary Stuart (Almeida & Duke of York’s Theatre) where she played not only the titular role but also the role of Elizabeth I consecutively, swapping parts at the literal flip of a coin between herself and Lia Williams. Most recently she appeared in series 2 of Riviera. Juliet’s versatility knows no bounds, and she recently collaborated with both Ruby Wax and Deborah Frances-White on a series of new comedy sketches.

Public Domain (P)2019 Audible, Ltd
Classics Thought-Provoking Suspenseful Classics Literature Collection
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Old Curiosity Shop cover art
David Copperfield cover art
Hard Times cover art
The Pickwick Papers: Dickens on Dickens cover art
Our Mutual Friend cover art
Nicholas Nickleby cover art
Martin Chuzzlewit cover art
Charles Dickens Classics Collection: A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol and The Chimes cover art
Dombey and Son cover art
Great Expectations cover art
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: A Radio Dramatization cover art
A Christmas Carol cover art
A Tale of Two Cities cover art
Barnaby Rudge cover art
Oliver Twist cover art
The Mystery of Edwin Drood cover art

What listeners say about Little Dorrit

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    407
  • 4 Stars
    71
  • 3 Stars
    26
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    421
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    345
  • 4 Stars
    81
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

"Absolutely Superb"

Juliet Stevenson is simply superb as the narrator, drawing you in with all her skill to make the characters come to life with ease. The Story itself, needs no explanation a it is world famous. I cannot recommend this book enough to all those who are very familiar with the book and to those that are not, you will not be disappointed. The calibre of narration here is gold standard.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant narration!

Juliet Stevenson is a marvel - her narration brought this story to life - superb.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant book beautifully read

Little Dorrit is one of my favourite Dickens'. Beautifully written, insightful and touching. Fewer comic moments than some of his other novels, but what there is, is highly amusing. It was read very well, with good characterisation.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

simply brilliant

I didn't want it to end. fabulous characters, engaging story. Loved it and just wish there had been more books about the Dorrit's and friends.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The best reading ever

Juliet Stevenson is absolutely sublime. Extraordinary performance. The voices, the delivery - all perfect. Even with a story which isn’t Dickens best.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Total immersion in this epic novel

I listened to this book based on the 5-star reviews it had received. I always try to listen to Juliet Stevenson’s readings anyway. But her absolute mastery of all the different voices in this novel made it absolutely tear along all forty hours! Dickens’ plotting and mystery helped, plus lots of humour. I loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Dickens superbly narrated

Juliet Stephenson has brilliantly created a massive and delightful (as well as threatening) range of characters in her narration. Could not be bettered.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely wonderful!

What a great joy this was to listen to! One of the finest of Dickens' novels superbly rendered by Juliet Stevenson. Her ability to switch characters with such excellent timing and her huge range in the dialogue made for such convincing drama. At first I had to check that she was the only reader, as her ability to speak the different male characters in such varied voices , made each character distinct, recognizable and so true to Dicken's description of them. I have been listening to this while dipping in and out of the last BBC drama serial of "Little Dorrit " which broadcast about 10 years ago and available on BBC catchup. That TV serial was very well cast and the sets were atmospheric but the overall experience was an acute disappointment because of the liberties and the unnecessary distortions of plot and dialogue and character. In so many ways a charicature of Dickensian. The comparison with this production by Juliet Stevenson makes me realise just how splendidly enjoyable is the experience of listening to an audio book unabridged , delivered by such a consummate artist. Much better, more enriching and absorbing than any television. I am unashamed to say that I cried a little at the end of the journey she took us on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A wonderful narration

A very enjoyable book, made much the better by Juliet Stevenson's superb narration. Her rendering of the male characters is beyond belief. What a wonderful performance!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing narration

Juliet Stevenson acted out this story beautifully. I have seen any screen or stage adaptation of this book but, with the talented writing and talented acting combined, each character and scene was clear to see in my imagination... More please, Juliet :))

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!