Stephen Fry narrates this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the famous Victorian comic novel.

Orphan Becky Clear and wealthy Amelia Sedley are best friends at Miss Pinkerton’s Academy for Young Ladies. On leaving college, ambitious, social-climbing Becky looks for a wealthy man to support her, as the sweet-natured Amelia matches her aged friend Dobbin, who is instantly captivated.

Becky takes a work in the program of Sir Pitt Crawley, and uses her charm to hook his dashing child. However, about Vanity Good: BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation marriage to Captain Rawdon of the Guards will not provide the lot of money she seeks. On the other hand, Amelia rejects the faithful Dobbin and becomes engaged towards the attractive George Osborne – but future has some shocks waiting for you for her, as well.

As time goes on, the girls’ fortunes rise and fall. Battle, financial disaster as well as the spoil of her popularity keep the resourceful Beckyundaunted, but Amelia discovers it harder to tolerate fate’s blows. It’ll be a long time before their story is played out, and their futures finally made the decision…

William Makepeace Thackeray’s basic satire of passion and ambition, 1st published in 1847 and 1848, is a deliciously ironic family portrait of English culture and its mores. This participating 2004 radio production, published for the first time on audio, includes a distinguished cast including Emma Fielding as Becky Sharp, Katy Cavanagh as Amelia and Toby Jones as Jos Sedley.

Length of time: 5 hours approx