The Hampdenshire Wonder - J. D. Beresford - BBC Saturday Night Theatre

The Hampdenshire Wonder is a 1911 science fiction novel by J. D. Beresford. It is one of the first novels to involve a wunderkind. The child in it, Victor Stott, is the son of a famous cricket player. This origin is perhaps a reference to H.G. Wells's father Joseph Wells. The novel concerns his progress from infant to almost preternaturally brilliant child.
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[@dianakalac7749]

We are all gifted with “Natural Talents”, but too often Spirits are Broken , then deeply buried. Only in “Dreams” are they remembered. “Understanding” is categorized in Intelligence & Emotional Intelligence. We are all Different, it is our Uniqueness that makes us Special.

[@pv175]

Is it just me or is the audio choppy at times ?

[@ferberina]

An interesting and rather profound insight into the psychology of some men and the desire to eliminate anything that is different and challenges their understanding and beliefs.

[@elainephillips2540]

Lll

[@weatherman68]

Thanks for sharing. We're really enjoying this radio play. Respect for your hard work and devotion. 👍🏾✌🏾

[@trishtraynor1237]

I'm autistic. This made me feel unsettled as I remembered being trotted out as some sort of novelty child. Knowing stuff isn't a mark of intelligence it's just knowing stuff.

[@Failte630]

Yes, this child was far beyond just knowing stuff, as his conversation with the Magistrate proved after coming almost to the end of Encyclopaedia Britannia . "Is this all?" he ask. And went on to talk about the inner life and the essence of things, the meaning of life. Thankfully many societies today are more open to embracing difference but there are always those whose fears of uncertainty paralyse them. When I was growing up I used to ask a lot of un-welcomed questions about the religion I was being taught and came to understand that it was best not to try to ask for reason and/or logic from people who had not been raised to have an original idea, but were brain washed. So I kept on reading and learning and thankfully met people eventually during the course of life who dared to question and discovere new things like I was doing. I'm still learning, listening, discovering. I don't always find the answers, but I can 'hold' the questions and wait to come to some form of acceptance that for now I'll have to wait. Maybe those who come after me will find satisfactory results. But there will always be uncertainty, difference, questions etc as we are an evolving consciousness. There will never be an end to learning.

[@gmadude1394]

I think, only those whom this story offends makes the very point of it. Before I retired, I was an advocate and helpmate for developmentally challenged people. Every one of my clients taught me many things, and I felt shame for how I had previously viewed the people that have to struggle with life, with the prejudice of others more so than I. They are VERY AWARE of others rejection and it hurts them to know they are different, but they have a wonderful courage to go out amongst those that judge them by appearance and build a wonderful, fulfilling life for themselves.

[@davelawday6609]

A brilliant drama. with many questions left unanswered.. top notch.. thank you kind regards Dave 👍

[@karencuthbert5668]

Enjoyed this play. So glad children born today like Victor are not prejudiced against like he was. Thank you.

[@childoftheuniverse2644]

Amazing story that proves the stupidity is the most destructive thing.

[@mckavitt13]

Worse is the combination of ignorance & proud of it.

[@donnambosco9948]

Absolutely and astoundingly eloquent rendering of "a tune beyond us, yet ourselves."!

[@jimmybullardful]

I am reminded of the film 'The Boy With Green Hair'.

[@kimbykimbers3750]

I so enjoyed this story! Thank You 💐

[@lisagahan6512]

What a wonderful, thought provoking play, loved it, thank you for uploading ❤

[@helenlauer9545]

Fantastically played; wonderful script.

[@blixten2928]

Interesting. In the end, the intellect of the "Polynesian savage" is to be preferred to that of advanced, absolute wisdom; the latter has no more questions.

[@martas9283]

Way ahead of his time, J.D Beresford

[@Stormlucy111]

Brilliant! The torrid insistence of society upon conformity

[@Sethnpep]

Interesting background in Wikipedia, to the original 1911 novel by J. D Beresford. A wonderful thought-provoking play, thank you.

[@carolewilson1311]

I agree

[@olivemd]

I enjoyed this play. Made one think.

[@alexandracolmant9983]

Wonderful!

[@msvoyeur]

Wonderful story 😊

[@lauralaladarling3775]

Thank you so much for this radio adapted play. I do feel quite ill that the little special, genius boy was murdered, most horrifically, by that ghastly evil Rector who ultimately murdered both the mother and her little son who she adored. I know it's a story but the actors were so believable and well played it was very affecting. Xxxx

[@anaderol5408]

So you felt the uncontrollable urge to divulge to all and sundry both the crime and who did it. You must be a really fun person to know. You are correct the actors are very good and anybody who reads your comment before listening would have enjoyed the story so much more without you bursting the balloon. Bet you always have a hatpin handy .... just in case. Do future listeners a favour and edit your comment or change your name to Karen.

[@paulramsey8187]

Even more true is the fact that murders like that have played out on a world wide scale. All in the name of perpetual ignorance.

[@paulramsey8187]

@@anaderol5408 and yourself seem the type to only read a book or see a film based on how others review it. Next time try and dive in first, without the approval you seek from persons whom you dont even know.

[@anaderol5408]

@@paulramsey8187 I can't remember whether I read the comments for this book before or after I listened to the book. Nonetheless it is unnecessary to divulge the plot. The benefit of comments may be in relation to the style of narration, or writing. Often such comments can be useful. If they were not useful then the platoons of book / film / play etc reviewers would cease to exist. they exist because people enjoy their reviews. Whether one takes heed of such reviews is a matter of personal choice. However, divulging the complete plot is never appropriate.

[@mikehobart]

Um .... spoilers??

[@jeremypearson6852]

Very interesting and tragic story

[@pamelamyers9613]

This Dad is so mean.

[@paulwilson8932]

What a superb story. Written in 1911. I am sure John Wyndham has been influenced - Chocky and Midwitch Cuckoos. As well as Heinlein with 'Strangers in a strange land'.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Yes. Sadly , both are virtually forgotten today. What would they have thought about ' Strictly Come Dancing ' or ' I'm a Celebrity '....? ( I think we can guess ? Although even in their wildest imagination they may not have foreseen just how low our standards would fall )

[@gregstewart6429]

Lots of jumps and glitches

[@jwsuicides8095]

We're lucky to have these recordings. The BBC is negligent of its past catalogue.

[@TimTylerCine]

Too many audio skips and glitches. Very distracting.

[@nigeloakes4957]

Marvellously fascinating drama. But could he bowl a googly?

[@MarilynMayer-cd5qk]

Moving.

[@ruthbrown5235]

Listen then read comments. Because some idiot is going to give the story away. Honestly people. 😊

[@andibowe6890]

Thank you! I could read at 3 and can still remember even my thots at that age and could see from 3 points of view at once and my 5 children & 8 grandchildren are also very intelligent at early ages. I was born when my mom was 40 & my youngest was born when I was 43. On her first birthday she came to me and said her first complete sentence. "Mom I can walk now & I can talk.i am a big girl and I am going with them" (her 3 older sisters). My daughters fulfilled many prophecies of many tribes and are goddesses and angels

[@shantibel]

Very disturbing.

[@jwsuicides8095]

A true tragedy.

[@gregstewart6429]

Don't know how much more of this one can take......

[@jturtle5318]

Did Brits really refer to children as "it" in normal conversation, or only if they're neurodivergent?

[@netwitchtatjana4661]

so sad

[@gregstewart6429]

28:30 -29:30 This is pretty vile and much of the preceeding lines are too. Much the same after sadly but not uploaders problem in truth

[@debbiesunlight7047]

Why do you think this

[@jeffdixon5853]

That was the point.

[@gregstewart6429]

@@debbiesunlight7047 I'm not entirely sure. It affected me in a negative way.

[@cruisepaige]

I agree. I’m on 11 minutes and I’m going to leave.

[@rosebud3971]

😎😎😎

[@ricklenarduzzi549]

000

[@valeriejohnson5283]

How sad that a young child can turn a grown "religious" man into a murderer because the child had different views. I was enjoying the drama until they found the boy drowned.😢

[@jilliran]

Thanks for the spoiler. I’ve stopped listening now!

[@muftydog]

@@jilliran Don't read the comments before listening.I do it as i can't help myself but it's daft really lol

[@jilliran]

@@muftydog I’m so glad I did. I don’t want to listen to such sadness. There’s enough out there now.

[@Lakeslover1]

I won’t carry on listening, it’s rather depressing.