Oliver Twist

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis

Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Hear Dickens' gift for social commentary in this classic story of the poor orphan, Oliver. In this time-tested classic, Dickens aimed to expose the filth of the London underworld as well as attack the inhumanity of the New Poor Law of 1834. This audiobook is a stunning performance by the award-winning Miriam Margolyes, who is considered one of the most knowledgeable and brilliant actors and interpreters of Dickens.

Public Domain (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Acclaimed Dickens interpreter Miriam Margolyes does an unabridged reading of Oliver Twist that is a revelation. Margolyes forced me to see a book I hadn't read since high school in all its complexity. With her voice, she conveys Dickens' fury at the suffering of children, his seething contempt for well-fed adults, his rage at corrupt officials. Margolyes' performance is so magnificent that she doesn't so much read Dickens as inhabit his people." (USA Today)

Excellent!

One of the better audiobooks I've purchased. Ms. Margolyes is a wonderful narrator and she is able to create believable voices for all the characters.

Miriam Margolyes is fantastic

I checked this out from my local library about 18 years ago and listened while long distance driving. I have forgotten most of the books and narrators from that time, but I never forgot Miriam Margolyses' performance of Oliver Twist. This has been imported from those old cds, so there are many interruptions of "Chapter (whatever), continued" right in the middle of the audio. Also, the sound quality isn't great, so you really need good speakers or earbuds to listen to it. It just doesn't achieve a very high volume, so if you have hearing problems, you might be frustrated. But in all, it's worth it to hear this narrator who is so good, when she's performing a man's voice, you forget she's a woman. She has a distinct voice for each and every character - in a Dicken's novel!

Nobody Does it Better

Ok, let's be honest -- Oliver Twist, especially the second half, is not Dickens's best work, which may be why most movie and TV versions leave out most of the second half and rewrite the rest. But it's a compelling story nonetheless, and listening to Miriam Margolyes read it is better than any video version. She is simply the most brilliant reader of Dickens, and I say that having listened to all of the greats. Her combination of astounding acting ability and vocal range, intellectual understanding, and emotional response to Dickens's work (she is a Dickens scholar in her own right) is unparalleled.

I only wish she would record readings of all of Dickens's novels (don't miss her Bleak House and Christmas Carol), and not as full-cast recordings, which she seems to enjoy, but just her doing the reading. I know it's tremendous hard work, but no one else comes close and it's doubtful anyone ever will. C'mon, Miriam, what do you say -- Nicholas Nickleby next?

Audio Newbie

Miriam Margoylis is an amazing reader. It is difficult to believe that it is only one person reading - considering the voices and characatures. As far as Dicken's Oliver Twist - his anti-semitism offended me and found that the book goes on and on and on - probably because it was written in monthly installments and he needed to stretch it. To enjoy the writings and tolerate the cartoonish characters and not dismiss the novel as a children's tale - it is important to remember that his writings were a landmark for his time and his depiction of poorly treated children were meant to and succeeded to incite public reform.

Great story, very bad quality recording

This is a great story and the narrator is very good. Unfortunately, there is a lot of background noise. I did let the Audible.com people know. Hopefully, the quality issue will be resolved.

One of the best narrations on audible

Miriam Margolyes is fabulous in the reading of this great Dicken's novel. If there are ten great audible reads this is one of them!

Can't Hear It

Can't review the performance because the tape is barely audible.