Dickens' Women

By: Charles Dickens, Miriam Margolyes

Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes

Length: 1 hr and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From Little Nell to Miss Havisham, Dickens’ Women tells the story of Charles Dickens’ life through his beloved characters. Cowritten and performed by Miriam Margolyes, best known for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, this one-women show is a celebration of her infectious passion for Dickens’ work. 

Taking on 23 different Dickensian characters, many of whom were inspired by real people such as Mary Hogwarth, Dickens' sister-in-law, Margolyes showcases her astonishing versatility as a performer.

Dickens’ Women delighted audiences across the world in 2012 as Margolyes took her Olivier nominated show on tour for the bicentenary of Dickens' birth.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

RSC's Miriam Margolyes Bravura Performance

I first saw Miriam M in the role of Mrs. Squeers in the traveling production of the RSC's NICHOLAS NICKLEBY directed by Trevor Nunn. This performance is equally apocalyptic.

In just under 90 minutes, Ms. Margolyes delivers an interpretation of more than 10 central and peripheral characters in Dickens' novels and short stories. In doing so she dignifies forever the role of the actor in society, revealing the ways in which the women in Dickens' life informed his characters -- and how his rendering of these characters revealed the authors' life -- including its more demonic sides.

With only a few rare exceptions, I have never felt as riveted to any recorded performance as much as this. Margolyes is a master of voice and character in her readings, so much so that she puts the garden variety book performer to shame.

In addition, her revelatory interpretations of female characters from a dozen novels and short pieces illuminate the themes and dramatic strategies of the works in a manner that has eluded the best of critics.

The readings run deeply enough to bear repeated listening. You may not love Dickens, the man, as much as you did when you started, but you will want to read more of his work sooner than later.

A triumph for a song.

Brilliant evening with a gifted actress

I look forward to pressing PLAY on this recording whenever I need a break from something heavy or depressing. Miriam Margolyes never fails to make me laugh and be in awe at her interpretations of some of Dickens’ most memorable women characters. Her biographical sketch is engaging as well. Maybe one day I can see her live!

A Joy

Miriam Margolies is treasure. So talented. So knowledgeable. She performs all the parts! you should not be disappointed.

Brava. Miriam

If my copy of this performance were on a CD, I would have worn it out by now. Rarely have I been so entertained as well as informed.

Miriam Margolyes may well be the most brilliant voice artist we have among us. In this performance she includes passages from Dickens' novels that depict some of her favorite female characters. Miss Margolyes combines her own commentary on Dickens himself with a rollicking musical accompaniment. She made me laugh and she made me weep.

Entertaining and thought provoking

Miriam Margolyes has a splendid treasure: her voice. By turns light, airy, funny, provocative, sad, or despondent, she brings to wonderful life the women, both real and imagined, who peopled Charles Dickens's life. This recording of the stage play (co-written by Ms. Margoleyes herself) is a joy to listen to. Give your ears - and imagination - a treat by experiencing it as soon as possible. You won't regret it.

Simply perfect

I saw Miriam Margolyes perform this live several years ago and thought it one of the best things I'd ever seen on a stage. She so perfectly captures the humour, range, eccentricity, poignancy and heartbreak. It was a performance that had stayed with me ever since, and this recording brings it all back. Both the writing and the performance are witty, moving and insightful, and the delicate piano accompaniments/interludes enhance the experience still further. The whole thing is simply perfect.

Miriam Margolyes is marvellous

This performance should be part of the national curriculum. Beautiful performed and explains Dickens in a very simple way, cutting through the older style English.

Very short but a lovely jaunt into Dickens

I've never been a massive fan and f Dickens but Miriam makes his works seem very entertaining compared to the dour and miserable durge I assumed them to be.

A must for all Dickens fans!

One of Miriam Margoyles' best performances captured in this beautiful audiobook. You simply have to listen to it!

Maria margolyes

loved it she is brilliant and so funny, and easy to follow and understand and appreciate.

Astounding

Miriam never fails to delight! Beautifully presented and performed, laugh out loud but also very emotional.

Wish I could give more *!

Miriam Margoyles is just an absolute joy to listen to. She made me laugh aloud and also had the ability to make me feel sadness, all in a 1.5hr listen. Loved it!

The sagacious and captivating Margolyes.

I reveled in this marvellous work in one greedy sitting, and am about to listen again.
The sagacious manner in wich Miriam weaves the extraordinary life of Dickens's with his motivation for Character construction is so captivating. Marianne

She is a glittering star

I really enjoyed this. Well performed and written. I was sorry to learn that Dickens was so unkind to his family. However, it is good to know the truth.

fabulous

Miriam Margoyles is a genius . She brings every character to life with such humour and emotion which she can switch on and off at will to add additional insights and humorous of her own . This is a joy to listen to and I play it at least 3 times a week just for the sheer pleasure of it