House of Cards

By: Michael Dobbs

Narrated by: Paul Eddington

Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

The acclaimed political thriller that first introduced the unforgettable Francis Urquhart, MP, and launched Michael Dobbs' Number-one best-selling career - now reissued in a new cover.

Michael Dobbs' entertaining tale of skulduggery and intrigue within the Palace of Westminster has been a huge hit with the public. Its scheming hero, Chief Whip Francis Urquhart, who uses fair means and foul to become Prime Minister, is one of the best-known characters of the last decade - the politician we all love to hate.

Acclaimed for its authenticity and insights into a secret world - the result of many years working behind the scenes for the Conservative Party - it became a highly popular, award-winning BBC TV series, with Francis Urquhart memorably portrayed by Ian Richardson, and was followed by two further sequels, ‘To Play the King' and The Final Cut, which also became top-rating TV series.

©1989 Michael Dobbs (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"This blood-and-thunder tale, lifelike and thoroughly cynical, certainly carries the ring of authenticity…a great triumph." ( Independent)

"The exciting thriller that has Westminster buzzing. Here is a political thriller writer with a marvellous inside track knowledge of government. House of Cards is fast-moving, revelatory and brilliant." ( Daily Express)

I liked the 1990 BBC mini series so much I got the book it was based on.

Let's get this straight to begin with:
-----------------------------------------
This audio book isn't the book of the (UK) TV mini series starring Ian Richardson as the indomitable Chief Whip Francis Urquhart. However it is the book the aforementioned mini series was based on.
I haven't seen the American series and, refuse to watch it, due to the fact that too many changes will have had to be made to major characters and plot details.
-------------------------------
About the book: It's Abridged, so has been shortened.

If you saw the original mini series then you'll know that when I say the major players all seem to be there means it's a good 'read'. There are some characters that aren't, presumably because they weren't in the original printed version. Don't be put off by that. As I've already said "this audio book isn't the book of the (UK) TV mini series".
With characters such as Chief Whip Francis Urquhart, newspaper reporter Mattie Storin, PM Henry Collingridge and Charles Collingridge (alcoholic brother of PM Henry) there's plenty of twists and turns to be able to play out. And play out they do. With political intrigue, sex scandal, drug taking and the manipulation that goes on. This is a book to 'read' and listen to again.

Loved it!

A very British political thriller, I couldn't turn it off, I think it's the quickest Audiable book I've ever finished.

A gripping tale

Having read the book and watched the tv series very many years ago, I was very happy to find the audiobook.
I didn't enjoy the audio version as much as I remember enjoying either the novel or the tv version, but that might well be more a feature of my memory than anything else. However, I did enjoy it - it's lovely having Paul Eddington read it.
It's a gripping thriller really quite unpleasant people behaving unbelievably horribly!
An enjoyable listen.

Excellent

Absolutely brilliant story well read and an a joy to listen to ,can't recommend it enough

Solid political thriller

If you like political intrigue then you should enjoy House of Cards! The main protagonist is a marvellous creation of the political animal we all love to hate. He is duplicitious, cunning, ambitious and ruthless. He is prepared to do his worst to get his hands on power.
This is a highly enjoyable read.