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Les Miserables: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation
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 post-revolutionary 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 19th 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.
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 post-revolutionary 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 19th 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.
6 pages, Audiobook
Published March 19, 2015
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 6, 2019
*This review is for the BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatization of Les Misérables*
Confession: I've never read the entirety of Les Misérables. I've only read portions in English and portions in the original French (which frankly should count twice 😵). However, I'm quite familiar with the story through some of its many adaptations -- film, mini-series, musicals (both in French and English), and dramatized audio productions.
This is the second audio version that I've listened to with the first being this one: Les Misérables created by Focus on the Family for their Radio Theatre series. While that recording will always be a favorite of mine, this version is outstanding and encompasses a lot more of the original story that tends to be cut from popular adaptations.
The performances were fantastic with each actor's voice fitting his/her characters perfectly. I do enjoy this type of dramatization as it includes sound effects which makes it feel as if you're listening to a film version. My only complaint is sometimes the audio volume would fluctuate significantly between characters speaking in whispers and sudden loud explosions or bangs. My poor eardrums suffered terribly because of this extreme variation.
Since this review is primarily focused on this particular format/edition, I won't comment much on the actual book. However, I will always love Les Misérables for its message of redemption and the way the multiple storylines are interwoven throughout the years. It's masterful and I never tire of it. The characters are so iconic: Valjean and his journey to redeem his past and become an honest man, Javert with his desire for order and strict adherence to the law, the slimy schemes of Thenardier, Marius and Cosette - a picture of youthful naiveté and sweet innocence.
Someday, I'll get around to actually reading through the full text -- although whether in French or English remains to be determined -- but for now, adaptations such as this one are a great way to immerse myself in this incredible classic tale.
Confession: I've never read the entirety of Les Misérables. I've only read portions in English and portions in the original French (which frankly should count twice 😵). However, I'm quite familiar with the story through some of its many adaptations -- film, mini-series, musicals (both in French and English), and dramatized audio productions.
This is the second audio version that I've listened to with the first being this one: Les Misérables created by Focus on the Family for their Radio Theatre series. While that recording will always be a favorite of mine, this version is outstanding and encompasses a lot more of the original story that tends to be cut from popular adaptations.
The performances were fantastic with each actor's voice fitting his/her characters perfectly. I do enjoy this type of dramatization as it includes sound effects which makes it feel as if you're listening to a film version. My only complaint is sometimes the audio volume would fluctuate significantly between characters speaking in whispers and sudden loud explosions or bangs. My poor eardrums suffered terribly because of this extreme variation.
Since this review is primarily focused on this particular format/edition, I won't comment much on the actual book. However, I will always love Les Misérables for its message of redemption and the way the multiple storylines are interwoven throughout the years. It's masterful and I never tire of it. The characters are so iconic: Valjean and his journey to redeem his past and become an honest man, Javert with his desire for order and strict adherence to the law, the slimy schemes of Thenardier, Marius and Cosette - a picture of youthful naiveté and sweet innocence.
Someday, I'll get around to actually reading through the full text -- although whether in French or English remains to be determined -- but for now, adaptations such as this one are a great way to immerse myself in this incredible classic tale.
February 8, 2020
“To die is nothing, but it is terrible not to live.”
Was on my TBR since as long as I can remember.
Finally got my hands on the audiobook. Will have to read it someday though. Victor Hugo's writing is effortlessly beautiful.
Now that I think about it, we did have an excerpt of this in our school curriculum.
Jean Val Jean and the candlesticks with the bishop. That is why this name and the story has been stuck in my brain since forever.
Jean Val Jean's story and his life long animosity with Javert is a joy to read, or in this case, listen.
Having watched the musical, the only Fantine I could imagine was Anne Hathaway's brilliant performance. Will have to definitely rewatch.
This particular dramatization is exactly how a story should be. Full of imagination.
Not only is the prose narrated, but the background noises add to the whole experience where you feel you are fighting in the rebellion alongside Marius.
I wish more audiobooks were produced this way. Creating your own personal movie in your mind's eye.
It touches on so many complex themes. The fact that this was written in 1862 and is still relevant to this day, blows my mind.
A classic tale of love, revenge and forgiveness. A must read.
Was on my TBR since as long as I can remember.
Finally got my hands on the audiobook. Will have to read it someday though. Victor Hugo's writing is effortlessly beautiful.
Now that I think about it, we did have an excerpt of this in our school curriculum.
Jean Val Jean and the candlesticks with the bishop. That is why this name and the story has been stuck in my brain since forever.
Jean Val Jean's story and his life long animosity with Javert is a joy to read, or in this case, listen.
Having watched the musical, the only Fantine I could imagine was Anne Hathaway's brilliant performance. Will have to definitely rewatch.
This particular dramatization is exactly how a story should be. Full of imagination.
Not only is the prose narrated, but the background noises add to the whole experience where you feel you are fighting in the rebellion alongside Marius.
I wish more audiobooks were produced this way. Creating your own personal movie in your mind's eye.
It touches on so many complex themes. The fact that this was written in 1862 and is still relevant to this day, blows my mind.
A classic tale of love, revenge and forgiveness. A must read.
June 5, 2022
A very good rendition of the story. The narration was lovely to listen to. It is one of my favorite stories of all time and this was such a fun retelling. The only problem I had with it was the sound would switch quiet to loud and I had to adjust it frequently. However, the story was so excellent and the performances so well done it is still 5 enthusiastic stars from me.
April 26, 2025
Les Miserables is an amazing story of human redemption. In the story of Jean Valjean, a man is shown grace and escapes from a dismal past, a past life of mistakes and strife. He finds his life changed when he puts his troubles behind him and begins to live as he should, helping others and giving of himself. He adopts as his own, a young girl and raises her as his daughter, giving his heart and his fortune for her well being. Still, an old nemesis pursues him, never letting go of the grudge held against the man. The story tells of so many ups and down and twists of fate that haunt the man as he tries so desperately to do good, showing grace to all in a cruel and thoughtless world that pursues him. Ultimately, his freedom is realized as his now grown daughter finds a young man that can care for her. In the end, the man, tortured in his soul and his mind, at the end of his days, quietly shares with his daughter and her husband, that true love is in our actions--and not in our words or possessions or our position in this world. This BBC edition of the story manifest so many of the elements of a Shakespearean novel; tragedy, hope, joy and bitter sadness.
April 8, 2021
The voice characterizations were fabulous. Roger Allan especially. I guess I’m just not a Les Mis person. I got to the point with Jean Valjean and the police man that I almost gave up. Heavens sake! He redeemed himself, turned his life around. Let it go!!
May 24, 2023
I listened to this on Audible for a book challenge in the abridged or adapted category. It was wonderfully dramatized and hit the major points of the story. Of course, not as good as the unabridged novel.
December 13, 2022
Brilliant adaptation.
March 12, 2024
Yeh, I think I wanna take a crack at the real 1000+ page beast this was kinda funky to listen to at times 🤷🏻♀️
January 12, 2022
I can't tell you whether this is a good adaption of Victor Hugo's novel because I've never read it, but it's certainly a good radio production. Sebastian Baczkiewicz has proven he can create quality radio dramas for the BBC, with Pilgrim. I certainly enjoyed this radio version of Les Miserables more than I did the BBC'S TV adaption. The acting is mostly excellent and the music is hauntingly beautiful, yet used sparingly, which is a nice change.
I think my main problem with all the versions of Les Miserables I've consumed is that the story eventually focuses on the shallow, lovestruck dullards, Marius and Cosette. They are by far the least interesting characters in this story, and I was never engaged in their Romeo and Juliet style love affair. Prisoner 24601 is also a bit of a martyr, but his reformation and redemption are certainly more emotionally involving than 'Mariette'. See also Inspector Javier's journey of discovery, Marius's political friends and Eponine's tragic story of poverty and unrequited love.
A classic well worth listening too.
7.5/10
I think my main problem with all the versions of Les Miserables I've consumed is that the story eventually focuses on the shallow, lovestruck dullards, Marius and Cosette. They are by far the least interesting characters in this story, and I was never engaged in their Romeo and Juliet style love affair. Prisoner 24601 is also a bit of a martyr, but his reformation and redemption are certainly more emotionally involving than 'Mariette'. See also Inspector Javier's journey of discovery, Marius's political friends and Eponine's tragic story of poverty and unrequited love.
A classic well worth listening too.
7.5/10
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews