, I laugh when people say it is too grim, Its nowhere near as near to the knuckle as the book, I think its a great alternative to 'Lark rise etc'.
I read the first book is there more ? yes it is grim and i dont think the programme shows how grim it probably was it is implied though so the viewer can understand what they mean ( if that makes sense), I watch with dds youngest 14 I dont think i would watch with a 10 yr old