A House to Let
Charles Dickens
Read by Ruth Golding
A House to Let is a short story originally published in 1858 in the Christmas edition of Dickens' Household Words magazine. Each of the contributors wrote a chapter (stories within a story, or, in the case of Adelaide Anne Procter, poetry) and the story was edited by Dickens, who also wrote the first and last chapters with Wilkie Collins.
The plot concerns an elderly woman, Sophonisba, who notices signs of life in a supposedly empty dilapidated house (the eponymous "House to Let") opposite her own, and employs the efforts of an elderly admirer, Jabez Jarber, and her servant, Trottle, to discover what is happening within. (Summary by Ruth Golding and Wikipedia) (4 hr 12 min)
Chapters
| Over the Way | 37:31 | Read by Ruth Golding |
| The Manchester Marriage Part 1 | 31:54 | Read by Ruth Golding |
| The Manchester Marriage Part 2 | 51:43 | Read by Ruth Golding |
| Going into Society | 38:14 | Read by Ruth Golding |
| Three Evenings in the House | 21:17 | Read by Ruth Golding |
| Trottle's Report | 39:15 | Read by Ruth Golding |
| Let at Last | 32:10 | Read by Ruth Golding |
Reviews
desertbug
I am certain that Ruth could read the telephone directory and make it sound interesting. Not that such comment should detract from General appreciation of the story. Interesting tale lovely sentimental ending and excellent characterisation brought to life by this first class reader. I am partially sighted and miss the ease with which I used to read myself. Ruth, you have helped to keep literature alive for me for which I send a big thank you.
Great Story and Fantastic "reading" by Ruth Golding
Listener by the brook
Ruth has such a fantastic way in which she narrates the story... with great expressions, and different voices for each character that anyone listening actually feels transported in the midst of the characters!! Nowadays I don't hunt the database for interesting stories, I search for stories Ruth has narrated and pick from them!! Thanks for the wonderful narration Ruth!! Of course, being a Charles Dickens story, the story per say is very interesting too, a couple of chapters seem to be off tangent, maybe to accommodate the four authors, but nevertheless it's a great story!
Ruth Golding British Actress Sings this Story Alive!
Private Listener
Charles Dickens would have raved at the reading by Ruth Golding had he lived another 140 years or so longer ;)
Delightful little story
Miss Hunter
So charming and unexpected. The reader Ruth Golding does a wonderful job of bring the story to life.
wonderful hidden gem .
Ian Hamilton
one of the reviewers called Ruth golding a voice actor . this is a great way to describe her . she has taken an excellent book and not just read it she has given life and form to each character. now I will find her other readings and listen to them. many thanks to Charles Dickens and Ruth Golding for a terrific performance.
Didn't think much of it at 1st but then...
Captain Felix
The beginning of this tale just sounded like a word 4 word retelling of any house to let at the time of writing until a particular phrase was spoken. 'My horse has an empty spot next to it for your horse.' Knowing that neither of them owned a stallion or a mare for that matter, I suddenly realised that Mr Chadwick wasn't referring to to our fine 4 legged equestrian friends at all, but to an offer of marriage. How business like & unromantic can you get! Then, when her original husband barges in after spending so much time tanning himself on a desert island, I thought the 2 men would come to blows in either a duel or at least a 10 round boxing match. Suffice to say that my interest piqued quite suddenly from his unique way with words, with as much feeling as a rock in a very hard place. 10 points to the reader...exceptional quality & control. Miss Ruth certainly did the trick in her interpretation of the different characters within this memorable account.
An amusing conundrum...
Kydiana
This story revolves around a house which is apparently vacant--or is it? The plot goes through many twists and turns in the search for an answer to this question. Ruth Golding's narrations is wonderful, adding greatly to the characterizations and comic touches throughout. Thank you!
Excellent reader, charming story
Kayshy
I am visually impaired and I always enjoy readers who put voices to the different characters in the stories they read. This story was a charming collaboration between Charles Dickens and other writers. It worked well and I truly enjoyed it.