LITTLE DORRIT

What are the keynotes for Anton Lesser's reading of Dickens's classic 1855-57 serial novel? Enthusiasm is one. Lesser's voice carries an excited thrill as scenes unfold the drama of Arthur Clennan's interest in William Dorrit, imprisoned for debt, and in Dorrit's children, who have grown up in the Marshalsea prison. One of these children is the kind and openhearted Amy, the title character. Another keynote is respect. Dickens's book runs close to 1,000 pages, so even an abridgment is long, yet Lesser lavishes care on every sentence. His pacing is wonderful and captures the suspense and charm of Dickens's masterful storytelling down to each colorful minor character, as memorably personalized by Lesser. G.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]