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Les Miserables cover art

Les Miserables

By: Victor Hugo
Narrated by: Joss Ackland, Roger Allam, full cast
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Summary

Joss Ackland, Roger Allam, and Leslie Phillips star in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel.

When poverty drives Jean Valjean to steal a loaf of bread from a baker’s window, it is an action that will haunt him for the rest of his life. A citizen of postrevolutionary France, he is sentenced to nineteen years’ hard labour. On his release his fortunes change, and he becomes a respectable businessman and member of society - and yet his past continues to dog him in the form of the sadistic Inspector Javert, who seems determined to pursue Valjean to the grave.

A student uprising is gaining momentum in Paris, and barricades are being built around the city. Valjean’s adopted daughter, Cosette, has fallen in love with the young revolutionary Marius, and the lives of all three are in peril unless they can flee to safety.

Some of the most significant moments in nineteenth century history form the backdrop for Victor Hugo’s powerful story, in which love and heroism march in the face of poverty and social injustice.

©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about Les Miserables

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C’est magnifique!

I was apprehensive regarding ‘Les Miserables’ as my French is abysmal and I don’t like singing in stories. Okay to address the first point, nope you don’t need to know le Francais (or should that be la Francais?). Secondly my expectation has clearly been clouded by the West End musical and film adaptation. Thankfully there’s no singing!

Moving on from my ignorance, what you do get is an engaging story lead by the marvellous Roger Allam who plays the lead role of Jean Valjean, and the wonderful tones of Joss Ackland who narrates.

A really enjoyable dramatisation.

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6 people found this helpful

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Radio doing what it does best

A superb dramatisation making full use of the sound medium fully rounded characterisations great music

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3 people found this helpful

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Engrossing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jean val jean prisoner 24601 who else? Actually, I love them all, the master of the house de Nadia. Marius, Marius's grand father.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Did not want to stop listening, more so second time round

Any additional comments?

Love it, would listen again yet I've already listendit twice! Love it! Etc...etc...

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2 people found this helpful

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awesome

just a fantastic version and performances. it has a great cast and lovely sound effects

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1 person found this helpful

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Excellent a brilliant dramatisation

this was brilliantly done an engaging performance of one of the great novels. I enjoyed the characterisations and very well produced. well done bbc

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Fantastic

Extremely good dramatisation of a classic novel. I have never seen the stage version or film and have never read the book (the title is off putting!) but I’m glad I listened to this.

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Pure magic

I adore this story, be it in the original b&w film in French, the stage musical, the book & now this. I’m sure I will going back listening to it again and again. The beautiful rich tones of Joss Ackland, and the unobtrusive music that enriches this drama are pure joy. The whole cast gives this piece such life that you can visualise every moment of the story. BBC at its best, well done.

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Fresh and engaging interpretation

A very engaging listen from start to end. Lively, contemporary and believable dialogue brings the characters of Hugo's story to life, makes it feel real and dispenses with much of the verbosity of Hugo's novel without losing the flavour and message of the original. Javert is more "snarky" than he was in the book and the Friends of the ABC more ingenuous, but no matter. The dialogue between Valjean and Cosette as well as between Gillenormand and Marius fleshes out these relationships, sometimes neglected in other adaptations. Highly entertaining, thought provoking and much recommended.

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Excellent

Excellent, really enjoyed this. I have seen the musical many times and this is as good as many of the finest i have ever seen.

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Excellent

An excellent production, well cast, acted, b
narrayex and presented. All the atmosphere is there. It's a regular listen for me.

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