Hilda Lessways


Read by Simon Evers

(4.4 stars; 77 reviews)

This book is the second in Bennett’s four books about life in the Five Towns (the real life Potteries in Staffordshire). It tells the story of Hilda before her marriage to Edwin Clayhanger (from the first book). Bennett explores Hilda's ambition to make a career for herself, her coming of age and her working experiences as a shorthand clerk and keeper of a lodging house in London and Brighton. He also shows her intensifying relationship with the enigmatic George Cannon that ends in her disastrous bigamous marriage and pregnancy, and finally her reconciliation with Edwin Clayhanger (Summary by Simon Evers) (11 hr 2 min)

Chapters

Book 1, Chapter 1 16:03 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 2 13:34 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 3 15:49 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 4 20:47 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 5 13:54 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 6 22:36 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 7 16:05 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 8 12:33 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 9 12:07 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 10 14:23 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 11 12:20 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 12 13:25 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 13 17:14 Read by Simon Evers
Book 1, Chapter 14 14:25 Read by Simon Evers
Book 2, Chapter 1 17:59 Read by Simon Evers
Book 2, Chapter 2 23:19 Read by Simon Evers
Book 2, Chapter 3 15:23 Read by Simon Evers
Book 2, Chapter 4 17:15 Read by Simon Evers
Book 2, Chapter 5 13:59 Read by Simon Evers
Book 2, Chapter 6 13:53 Read by Simon Evers
Book 2, Chapter 7 14:42 Read by Simon Evers
Book 3, Chapter 1 19:33 Read by Simon Evers
Book 3, Chapter 2 22:10 Read by Simon Evers
Book 3, Chapter 3 23:28 Read by Simon Evers
Book 3, Chapter 4 30:54 Read by Simon Evers
Book 4, Chapter 1 16:55 Read by Simon Evers
Book 4, Chapter 2 30:49 Read by Simon Evers
Book 4, Chapter 3 25:49 Read by Simon Evers
Book 5, Chapter 1 24:29 Read by Simon Evers
Book 5, Chapter 2 28:04 Read by Simon Evers
Book 6, Chapter 1 24:42 Read by Simon Evers
Book 6, Chapter 2 9:06 Read by Simon Evers
Book 6, Chapter 3 19:48 Read by Simon Evers
Book 6, Chapter 4 13:40 Read by Simon Evers
Book 6, Chapter 5 22:09 Read by Simon Evers
Book 6, Chapter 6 19:06 Read by Simon Evers

Reviews

Love ya' Arnold, nevertheless...


(3 stars)

Simon is a terrific reader and Arnold Bennett is one of my favorite authors. I love his sense of humor and so many of his books. I gave this one three stars because I could not respect the main character and I thought the ending was a bit weak. Perhaps I should be able to laugh at this character. Was he making fun of women in general? I've heard him do it in other books. Hilda definitely needs to read chapter 9 of his book Mental Efficiency. Her character seems to me exasperating, naive, petty, spoiled, overly emotional, neurotic, insecure, paranoid, judgemental, negative, spiteful, self-deprecating, confused, wishy-washy, snobbish ... pathetic! I found myself wishing someone would take her out to the woodshed and give her a good spanking LOL!

amazing reading by SE


(4 stars)

Giving 6 stars for the reading (always superb) by Mr. Evers. However the story is very strange. Hilda is a character to whom one can occasionally relate, but at other times seems completely self-absorbed and destructive. Her combination of stoicism and anger are very odd. Maybe this inexplicable combination is how men really view women.

Interesting story


(4 stars)

Another good book by AB (Not on a par with his masterpiece The Old Wives Tale, listen to it on Librivox its a classic), but definitely worth a listen if you like Bennett...don't agree with reviewers who say they didn't like it because they didn't like the main character as it doesn't really matter whether you like her it not once she's believable, which she is though maybe a little strange for a 'heroine' ...I thought the ending was great and unexpected

Another Arnold Bennett Masterpiece


(5 stars)

Another beautifully written and read book. Thank you Simon Evers. You did such justice to Bennett's novel. I love the strong, independent and compassionate women in Bennett's novels. His heroines seem to survive and grow stronger as a result of their misfortunes. I strongly recommend this book.

BENNETT IS ALWAYS THE MASTER DREAMWEAVER


(5 stars)

Very few writers could make this story good. It also helps to have Simon Evers reading it. This is why young women need guidance in life. Hilda had no proper guidance, but she probably would not have taken it anyway.

Not his best


(3.5 stars)

Arnold Bennett’s writing is amazing, and I enjoy his books greatly, but this was not one of my favorites. It was long and meandering, with a not very satisfying conclusion. The reading of course was as good as this narrator’s always is!


(4.5 stars)

This books answers the strange ending of the first book. But it was good. The reader was great.

Enjoyed


(5 stars)

An enjoyable sequel, interesting to hear the other side of the story. Great reader, thank you.