The Forsytes: The Complete Series

BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

By: John Galsworthy

Narrated by: full cast, Jessica Raine, Joseph Millson, Juliet Aubrey, Jonathan Bailey, Ben Lambert, Sarah Ridgeway

Length: 15 hrs

Publisher's summary

Jessica Raine stars in all four BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of John Galsworthy's Forsyte novels.

An irresistible family saga of love, money and betrayal, The Forsytes: The Complete Series encompasses four acclaimed BBC Radio 4 productions of Galsworthy's perennially popular epic, spanning 50 years from 1886 to 1936.

The Forsytes sees wealthy Soames Forsyte questioning his relationship with his beautiful wife, Irene. As evidence of her betrayal emerges, the family is torn apart and scandal unleashed. In The Forsytes Continues, it is 1920 and Soames would do anything for his sparkling daughter, Fleur. But when she falls in love with the wrong man, how can he stop history repeating itself? The Forsytes Returns picks up Fleur's story four years later, as she vows to put her past behind her and settle down. But those around her are intent on stirring up trouble. The Forsytes Concludes introduces young Dinny Cherrell, Fleur's cousin. Unbeknown to both, their lives will be paralleled in ways neither could have predicted....

Starring Jessica Raine, with a cast including Joseph Millson, Juliet Aubrey, Jonathan Bailey, Ben Lambert and Sarah Ridgeway, this compelling drama delves behind the Edwardian façade to reveal Galsworthy's wonderful wit, observation and insight into human nature.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Very enjoyable

Good old fashioned family saga. Loved it spanned several generations. Interesting how history repeated itself, no matter how the older generation tried to steer it differently. Highly recommend.

Excellent

As I was listening I could see the scenes so vividly, a couple of times I turned toward the television to watch.
I wish all audio books were this well performed.

Loved it!

I loved this! it was like listening to a movie. The voices were on point.

Best BBC drama I’ve listened to

Over the years I’ve listened to many dramatized books, bone by the BBC and other companies; this one is by far the best. The story and preference is better than most..

Wonderful

This story was wonderful. It draws you in from the start and you find yourself throughout both having compassion and holding anger towards certain characters throughout this tragic lifetime. It is well worth the time and I will be listening to it many more time in the future.

Beautifully performed

It was splendid, I enjoyed every word, I was told it was on TV. Will have a look.

Excellent dramatization!

Very enjoyable listening and wonderful actor-narrators, really made the multigenerational saga come to life. Highly recommend! Have not read the original books so don’t know how they compare but the story of the Forsytes as told in this audible presentation was interesting and very entertaining.

Couldn’t stop listening!

This would be worth 3 credits it’s so good!!! I just finished listening and I’m already wanting to listen to it again.

Exceptional

Actors brought the characters to life. Listening brought a play in my mind. I was able to imagine the scene as tho I was in the room experiencing every moment. Wish all books were dramatized this way.

Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey!

A century before the world was delighted by Julian Fellowes' smash hit multigenerational family saga John Galsworthy had a similar success with his 9 book series + multiple short stories covering the lives and loves of the Forsyte family. There have been multiple adaptations (television and radio) of the books, all very popular and well done, but this dramatization is my favorite. The entire cast is perfect and there is just enough variation in their voices that I never confused characters with one another, which can occasionally become a problem in radio dramas with large casts.