Little Dorrit

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Anton Lesser

Length: 35 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

William Dorrit has been a resident of the Marshalsea debtors prison for so many years that he has gained the nickname "The Father of the Marshalsea". However, his suffering is eased by his close bond with youngest daughter Amy, or "Little Dorrit".

The dashing Arthur Clennam, returning to London after many years in China, enters their lives, and the Dorrits' fortunes begin to rise and fall.

A biting satirical work on the shortcomings of 19th century government and society.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2008 Naxos Audiobooks

Brilliant and Deeply Moving

I've loved this book for a long time- I first read it the summer that graduated from high school and I've reread it several times since. Lesser's reading is masterful- relevatory is another adjective that comes to mind. His pacing is perfect and, as many other listeners have noted, he has an amazing ability to create individual and very vivid portraits of the many characters. For me his reading has opened up sections of this beloved book in a way that I would have missed no matter how many times I revisited it. Simon Vance reading Trollope is top notch. Prunella Scales' Wives and Daughters is extraordinary. Juliet Stevenson reading anything is not to be missed. However, none of these amazing artists is able to hold a candle to what Anton Lesser has done with this reading of Little Dorritt. More, please!

Wonderful, wonderful!

This is Charles Dickens at his best. What a lovely story, memorable characters, and fulsome plot! You simply must read this book, and the narration is superb.

A cast of thousands...

I read somewhere that Anton Lesser says he "doesn't do 'voices'", and he's right. He's more like a 'cast of thousands' - really! I'm just steadily purchasing anything he reads (though I draw the line at Jeffery Archer) and acquiring an exemplary education thereby!
He peoples this world of Dickens so vividly it's hard to pull yourself away when the real world intrudes. I found myself thinking that certain actors in the reading were especially good and I must note who their names... and having to recall that it was one man only.
Exhilarating!

Anton the great

Anton Lesser's interpretation is perfect. I can't imagine Dickens' words through anyone else.
Long live Lesser.

Brilliant reading

Marvellous voices. I was able to recognize which character was speaking from the first word. Lesser is a master at characterization. I found myself looking forward to encountering them again and again. Flora in particular was a delight.

Fantastic Reader

Anton Lesser is a fantastic reader and although this may not be the best of Dickens, it isn't the worst of Dickens. Highly recommended.

Fetching

Certain readers get it exactly right - the timing, the pace, the voices. And Anton Lesser's reading of Little Dorrit is superb. The voices were authentic, engaging, and distinct. I'm queing up other books by this great interpreter.

Doormat alert

I generally like Dickens, and everybody needs to check out plenty of his stuff. But this is one of the bottom on my list. (Didn't care for Hard Times much, and D.Copperfield though classic wasn't my favorite. G. Expectations blah, though better with the original ending. I liked Bleak House and N Nickelby, though Tale of Two Cities can never be beaten.) Dorrit is a good story to know, but I do not believe this is the standard by which a good response to emotional abuse should be judged. Don't let this be your only Dickens.

Complex cacaphony of interwoven stories

Another Incredible narration and performance! Of all the Dickens novels that I have listened to, this one was perhaps the most complex and chaotic for me to follow. Nonetheless, very good and long listen but not my favorite of the Dickens stories. Prefer great expectations and David Copperfield to this tome.

My Favorite From Dickens

This is probably my favorite novel by Dickens. It is long, to be sure, but full of such rich characters.
Anton Lesser makes all the characters come to life with his narration. He is extremely talented.