Hard Times

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Peter Batchelor

One of Dicken’s best works appraising English society. Highlights the social and economic pressures of the times. A masterwork.

Public Domain (P)2013 Trout Lake Media

Narrator does an awful job with women's voices

I'm enjoying revisiting some classics. I occasionally get impatient with the drawn-out dialogue.... but, well, Dickens. Overall, it's a great read.

I had a hard time completing the book, though, due to the narrator. He's quite pleasant for general narrative or male characters, but his treatment of women's voices made me cringe each and every time.

Really, really wish I'd chosen another version.

Another Classic

No one paints a better visual picture than Dickens. His mastery of the English language is unrivaled.

At least for me he never disappoints. I'm always sad to finish one of his books.

Great story, a couple of time difficult to underst

It is a wonderful classic, it is a bit difficult to understand the narrator with a couple of characters but wonderful over all

Good performance, predictable plot.

Charles Dickens can sometimes be a dry read, but a good narration certainly helps. The story was a little predictable, however since this is such a short book it's still a worthwhile listen.

Great book, but

Great book, but it can be hard to follow sometimes. A much easier read than listen.

this narration is a little distracting

I long ago read this text, but still can't follow the story clearly. However, I also own the DVD with Alan Bates--only $1.20 now at Amazon.

characters

I really liked the characters and performance. story doesn't seem to wrap everything up but almost does for every main character.

With a name like Choakemchild what could go wrong?

If you could sum up Hard Times in three words, what would they be?

Facts or Fun?

What other book might you compare Hard Times to and why?

This is very much like Dickens' Oliver Twist but more on the factory workers plight and the parents who thought facts were all important for children in factories and should have little fun time.

Which character – as performed by Peter Batchelor – was your favorite?

Louisa Gradgrind Bounderby was the person I identified with and became my favorite character. She married for duty and was extremely unhappy. She falls in love with someone else and almost runs away with him but instead returns home and explains to her father what she has done. Mr. Gradgrind repents his ways and welcomes Louisa home.

Peter Batchelor was a wonderful narrator.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I nearly cried when Louisa returns home and confronts her father. I also loved Sissy Jupe and her devotion to helping Louisa and the rest of the Gradgrind children. This was an interesting family and I loved the kids.

Any additional comments?

This was a fairly dark novel and there isn't a really happy ending. The story was well done and I enjoyed the characters.

Dull

This is probably my least favorite and most difficult Dickens book that I have ever listened to. The reader tried too hard and so was very hard to listen to and the plot was figured out by the end of the first book. None of the eloquent Dickens prose I expect, just dull rambling and boisterous loud monologue.

Classic for a reason

I have always loved this story, for all its sadness. Dickens was a master at character creation, allowing dynamic characters to flourish and become individuals of themselves, while letting you know which characters will remain static in the most imaginative ways. The narration was not my favorite but overall, if you haven't read this novel, pick a version and go for it. You will not be disappointed. If you have read it, well then you know how incredible it is