The Battle of Life

While "The Battle of Life" is one of Charles Dickens' Christmas Books - his annual release of a story just before Christmas - this one breaks the tradition by not being concerned with Christmas. Rather, its subtitle, "A Love Story", reveals more of the plot.

The major events of this book take place on land that once was a battleground. That is just a backdrop for Dickens' idea of the real battle of life - finding and winning the right partner, so that life will go on to the next generation. The family that lives there is rather confused in its affections and intentions regarding who should end up with whom. We are thrust into the fight to make things work out, and, happily for a Christmas book, Dickens leads us on to a happy ending. (Summary by Mark F. Smith) (3 hr 28 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1	28:39	Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 2	31:40	Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 3	25:05	Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 4	24:01	Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 5	32:33	Read by Mark F. Smith
6	35:31	Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 7	31:16	Read by Mark F. Smith

Reviews

(5 stars)

Paul B Van Buren, Los Altos, CA

Mark Smith is an excellent reader of the book, which is a classic.

(3 stars)

ramon

Not one of the best of Charles Dickens novels. Made enjoyable somehow by the excellent reading of Mark Smith. A muddled love story, compensated by a happy ending for the main characters.