Les Liaisons Dangereuses cover art

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Read by the Cast of the Stage Play

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Les Liaisons Dangereuses

By: Choderlos de Laclos
Narrated by: Dominic West, Janet McTeer, Una Stubbs, Elaine Cassidy, Adjoa Andoh, Edward Holcroft, Morfydd Clark
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About this listen

From the sumptuous private drawing rooms of 18th-century Paris to the decadent estates and chateaus of the French countryside, La Marquise de Merteuil and Le Vicomte de Valmont hatch a long-distance plan of vengeance and seduction.

Valmont is determined to conquer the famously pious Madame de Tourvel, whose husband is abroad on business. However, Merteuil has other plans. She enlists his involvement in the seduction of a young convent girl, Cécile Volanges, the wife-to-be of the Marquise's former lover. But as they race toward the culmination of their plans, events start to spiral out of control and they realise that they might not be as in control of their hearts as once they thought.

Starring:

Madame de Volanges: Adjoa Andoh

La Présidente de Tourvel: Elaine Cassidy

Cécile Volanges: Morfydd Clark

Le Chevalier Danceny: Edward Holcroft

Marquise de Merteuil: Janet McTeer

Vicomte de Valmont: Dominic West

Madame de Rosemond: Una Stubbs.

With announcements by Simon Kane.

Public Domain (P)2016 Audible Ltd. Classics Marriage France Heartfelt Funny

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Critic reviews

“This audio production provides a master class in inhabiting character, interpretation of text, and vocal technique.” (AudioFile)
All stars
Most relevant  
Quite excellent edit of the novel that really captures the energy of the story. It’s all the letters of the various parties so action is very much off stage, quite like a Greek play. West is stellar.

Gripping

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I was so disappointed when I missed the live-streaming of the play but, now, I have it forever and I am so grateful. I wouldn't have missed these performances for the world.

Gorgeous, heartbreaking and salutary

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So well narrated and such a good story if somewhat unpleasant subject. I loved the film with Close and Markovich and this was equally as good - and for free.

Superb

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This dramatisation from the cast of the Donmar production is worth listening to for Janet McTeer alone. Her Marquise de Merteuil was incredible. Sensual, scathing, scandalous. If you are new to Laclos, this is a great place to start. I read an English translation many years ago and loved it, but this version brought it to life for me. It has left me wanting to read the original, and i'll be purchasing it after finishing the review (yes, i'm THAT enthused).

It seems to me that Laclos' work has a real modern relevance. We live in a society in which a person is still judged on their sexual self. Whether that be the sexual preference they claim, how they go about their romantic/sexual lives, or how their sexuality is displayed to others. People still talk of 'conquest' over another, if not always using that specific word, the idea is the same. We have online sites for showcasing clips of sexual acts unknowingly filmed, for revenge porn, for rating the attractiveness and 'easiness' of others. 'Slut' and 'whore' are judgment terms that still have real power. Perhaps the men reading this will correct me if i'm wrong, but I don't think there are words used with the same derision for male behaviour, even 'manwhore' and 'male slut' are not without positive connotations, part of male banter. This has been my experience of male-female heterosexual relations, and I wonder how these themes are played out within the homosexual or trans communities. Without a doubt, external, societal judgment is still evident.

For this reason, the most significant character has always been, for me, La Marquise de Merteuil. Valmont, the rake, the seducer, the ruiner of women is a male character so often done, before and since, as to be stereotypical. La Marquise, on the other hand, demands to be his equal, or even better: in manipulation, in deceit, in pursuit of pleasure. She makes precisely this point. His machinations, his successes, are all the more easy because of his gender, and the resulting freedoms it accords him.

In any case, I love this format in literature. Private letters dispatched at cross purposes allows for an intriguing and amusing insight into character; what they say to one person and hide from another, virtuous and indignant here, debauched and desirous there. An excellent reflection of the multitude of selves we all hold.

Deliciously wicked dramatisation

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Bravo! What a magnificent performance by the main protagonists. They were well supported by an excellent cast. This is a first class production. I was enthralled and totally absorbed by it. Wonderful!

Wonderful performance

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Would you listen to Les Liaisons Dangereuses again? Why?

Yes. Loved everything about it - especially Dominic West's fabulous voice and the stunning music. It's just a shame I never got to see the stage production.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Dominic West as Valmont. Mmmmmmm

Any additional comments?

Immaculate production. I can't believe its free. Listen

Gorgeous!

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Wished it was rather much longer, an I found it very entertaining and easy to listen to.

Wished it was longer found it very entertaining

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Between the translation and all the cuts, most of the finesse of the original French novel seems lost. A complex, multilayered, rich in detail saga becomes just a simple story. At least the dramatisation is well done...

Great dramatisation, extremely abbreviated and simplified story though

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Having watched and read various versions of this classic story, it was about time to listen to the original. Hands down, nothing beats this version - a far worse outcome than some of the other depictions. A definite cautionary tale of the consequences of the games that people play with each other.

Classic tale of seduction, jealousy and revenge

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Great introduction to the full version of the audio book. The cast are perfect for the roles.

Insightful

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