Podcast
The Dickens Library
Hosted by Charles Dickens · EN
Step into the rich, bustling world of Charles Dickens, where every sentence sparkles with wit, warmth, and sharply observed humanity. This podcast offers his novels in their purest form; unhurried, unabridged, and allowed to shine exactly as he wrote them.
Dickens’s prose is a feast: playful yet pointed, humorous yet heartfelt, and always driven by characters so vivid they feel instantly familiar. If you’ve ever wanted to lose yourself in gripping plots, unforgettable personalities, and some of the most delightful writing in English literature, this is your invitation. Press play and let Dickens do what he does best: captivate.
Dickens’s prose is a feast: playful yet pointed, humorous yet heartfelt, and always driven by characters so vivid they feel instantly familiar. If you’ve ever wanted to lose yourself in gripping plots, unforgettable personalities, and some of the most delightful writing in English literature, this is your invitation. Press play and let Dickens do what he does best: captivate.
25episodes
Episodes
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The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 13 - Both At Their Best
2d ago00:31:50Tap to summarizeIn which the festive air of Miss Twinkleton’s establishment mellows into a gentle farewell as young ladies prepare for Christmas recess, while tender confidences and quiet resolutions unfold amidst the frost and fading daylight. Edwin and Rosa, with hearts both heavy and hopeful, navigate the delicate intricacies of their altered relationship, seeking courage in mutual honesty and a gentle kindness towards those around them.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 14 - When Shall These Three Meet Again?
2d ago00:39:31Tap to summarizeIn which the frost and festive stir of Christmas Eve in Cloisterham sets the stage for three individuals—each burdened by secret troubles—to prepare for a meeting that stirs uneasy anticipation amid the wintry weather. The city’s shadowed precincts bear witness to tangled sentiments and strange encounters, while a fierce storm thunders through the night, leaving both damage and dread in its wake.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 12 - A Night With Durdles
3d ago00:39:51Tap to summarizeIn which the worthy Mayor Sapsea’s esteem leads to a curious acquaintance between the scholarly Mr. Jasper and the enigmatic man Durdles, culminating in an unorthodox nocturnal exploration of Cloisterham’s ancient cathedral precincts where moonlight reveals both beauty and brooding mystery. Amidst crypts, towers, and whispered suspicions, friendships are tested and eccentric characters entwine beneath the solemn glow of the moon, providing a quietly captivating glimpse into their peculiar world.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 11 - A Picture and a Ring
3d ago00:42:01Tap to summarizeIn which we are introduced to the studious Mr. Grewgious, whose humdrum chambers at Staple Inn are enlivened by the visit of young Edwin Drood amidst a thick London fog, leading to a convivial repast and a discourse on the nature of true love as understood by a man of business and order. The evening culminates in Mr. Grewgious entrusting Edwin with a precious and poignant token—a ring that embodies solemn vows and the weight of a past inextricably linked to those he holds dear.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 9 - Birds in the Bush
4d ago00:43:35Tap to summarizeIn which the delicate circumstances surrounding young Rosa’s betrothal are pondered with gentle gravity, amid the whispers and rivalries of the Nuns’ House, and the arrival of her guardian, Mr. Grewgious, brings a measured discourse on duty, affection, and the binding nature of promises made in youth. Meanwhile, the town’s rumours of a quarrel between two gentlemen flutter wildly about, adding a certain restless air to the otherwise tranquil Cloisterham.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 10 - Smoothing the Way
4d ago00:40:41Tap to summarizeIn which the ever-observant Reverend Septimus Crisparkle endeavours to smooth the troubled waters between two young men, guided by the steadfast influence of a devoted sister and the gentle arts of reason and counsel; through earnest discourse and delicate negotiation, the shadows of anger and misapprehension are faced with a hopeful prospect of reconciliation. The good Minor Canon, with quiet wisdom and patient spirit, navigates the intricate emotions and prejudices that cling like winter’s chill, seeking peace amid the altering tides of human affection and misunderstanding.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 7 - More Confidences Than One
5d ago00:25:47Tap to summarizeIn which a young gentleman, newly arrived in a somnolent cathedral town, reveals to a kindly clergyman the turbulent hardships of his youth and the unspoken bond of understanding with his sister, whilst the quiet domestic scene unfolds with music, friendship, and a hint of unvoiced distress. The gentle narrative draws us into the tender intimacies of youthful confidences and the subtle shadows cast by fear and affection beneath glowing moonlight.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 8 - Daggers Drawn
5d ago00:27:16Tap to summarizeIn which the moonlight bathes the quiet town of Cloisterham as two young gentlemen, Mr. Drood and Mr. Landless, engage in a sharp and uneasy exchange of words that reveal the delicate tensions beneath their acquaintance, before being somewhat restrained by the watchful and steady Mr. Jasper. Following a heated quarrel and a dramatic departure, the gentler Mr. Crisparkle offers solace and reflection, underscoring the fragile ties that bind the characters amid a stirring evening of sharp contrasts and restrained passions.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 5 - Mr Durdles and Friend
6d ago00:18:47Tap to summarizeIn which the somnolent quietude of a cathedral close is enlivened by the curious companionship of a grave-digger named Durdles and a mischievous boy called Deputy, whose peculiar vocation offers a whimsical, if somewhat grim, view into the mysteries beneath the stone. We also observe the evening reflections of John Jasper, whose thoughtful musings and secretive habits lend an air of mystery to his character in the stillness of his lodging.
Transcribe →The Mystery of Edwin Drood Chapter 6 - Philanthropy In Minor Canon Corner
6d ago00:30:15Tap to summarizeIn which the gentle Reverend Septimus Crisparkle and his dear mother prepare to welcome two rather wild but striking youths under their roof, navigating the peculiarities of philanthropic society and the unwelcome intrusion of the vociferous Mr. Honeythunder, whose zealous notions do little to mellow the tranquil air of Minor Canon Corner. The morning unfolds with tender domestic scenes, lively discourse upon charity’s vexations, and an ill-starred dinner that lays bare the clash between calm hospitality and fiery activism.
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