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Hard Times
- Narrated by: Patrick Tull
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
Editor reviews
As the title suggests, the characters do not have much room for leisure and horseplay in this audiobook from Charles Dickens. Hard Times, performed with a biting musicality by veteran narrator Patrick Tull, is one of Dickens's later works and is a serious examination on the effects of the Industrial Revolution. The story begins with the no-nonsense Gradgrind household, where Mr. Gradgrind instills his strict teachings of facts and only facts. As the story progresses, the classic humor of Dickens seeps in, and Mr. Gradgrind receives some education himself. Whether it's the artful prose or the social commentary, there's plenty to enjoy as Patrick Tull takes listeners through this classic from Charles Dickens.
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What listeners say about Hard Times
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Claire
- 08-10-07
Hard Times
Although the narration is great, Patrick Tull is fabulous to listen to, the sound quality is terrible. It's like listening through custard!
4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Darwin8u
- 04-03-13
Good Samaritan was indeed a bad economist
The Good Samaritan was indeed a bad economist. Without becoming overly didactical, Dickens was able to explore in 'Hard Times' the contest between the oppositional conversations of Christian altruism (Louisa and Sissy) and market-driven, utilitarian self-interest (Bounderby and Bitzer), the novel takes its ethical position from the famous parable's narrative of redemptive love.
You probably don't need to guess which side of this argument Dickens favors. The story was simple but deep. The characters were rich and dynamic. I was a tad let down by the soft ending, but still carried away by the full measure of Dickens' message of redemption, love and fancy.
Tull's narration while absolutely true to the heavy Hand of Dickens' dialogue often approached the weight of unintelligibility. Warning, this is not a book to be listened to above 1.5 speed.
17 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 27-04-19
Great Narrator
For me Dickens in great, but Patrick Tull takes it to a new level. Absolutely engaging.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 12-02-13
The Tough Times
Would you consider the audio edition of Hard Times to be better than the print version?
Any performance of a Dickens book is better than the print version because it gives personality to the work.
What other book might you compare Hard Times to and why?
Oliver Twist because of the depiction of society of the time.
What about Patrick Tull’s performance did you like?
The inflection he puts into the prose and personality he gives the work.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Possibly, but a Dickens book is better savored a little at a time.
Any additional comments?
This is the longest reading in time of all the readings of this work available on audible. I believe a person can make a work move along without being overly slow. Don't get me wrong, Patrick Tull is an outstanding narrator. But some readers can even be better than others on some works. Otherwise, outstanding performance of this classic work by Dickens.
1 person found this helpful