You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
Hated it, read the first third, skipped to the end and read the final chapter. I really hate Dickens' prose.
It doesn't get much better than Dickens read aloud well. 4.5 stars.
The introduction to the version I have says this novel was requested of Dickens by a failing literary magazine in order to boost sales. While it was kind of him to do so, this has "I don't particularly care for this story" written all over it. It's meandering, kind of random, and poorly paced.
I kind of liked it.
I know it's no Oliver Twist or Great Expectations. Those were fully fleshed out in world, plot, and character. But there were still some fascinating ideas present that I wouldn't have minded exploring further. The characters are pretty likable, particularly Louisa, and have interesting arcs. Plus, it's much shorter than any of his other novels. Maybe I just like it because it's the first physical book I've been able to finish in weeks and my opinion is subject to change, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
For those of you new to Dickens, I'd recommend one of his more celebrated works as your first exposure. However, this one isn't half as bad as people make it out to be. Just keep in mind this was written out of obligation instead of a desire to make a great story.
I kind of liked it.
I know it's no Oliver Twist or Great Expectations. Those were fully fleshed out in world, plot, and character. But there were still some fascinating ideas present that I wouldn't have minded exploring further. The characters are pretty likable, particularly Louisa, and have interesting arcs. Plus, it's much shorter than any of his other novels. Maybe I just like it because it's the first physical book I've been able to finish in weeks and my opinion is subject to change, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
For those of you new to Dickens, I'd recommend one of his more celebrated works as your first exposure. However, this one isn't half as bad as people make it out to be. Just keep in mind this was written out of obligation instead of a desire to make a great story.
From BBC Radio 4 Extra,:
Charles Dickens' classic novel dramatised for radio.
I am planning to read the electronic version of this book pretty soon.
Charles Dickens' classic novel dramatised for radio.
I am planning to read the electronic version of this book pretty soon.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
SPOILER ALERT
The Positives…
The Positives…
Given the amount I read I had never read a Dickens novel until Hard Times. I don’t quite know why… I had Oliver Twist sitting on my bookshelf but never had the inclination to read the thing. This novel really is a great way to introduce oneself to Dickens; blending social inequalities, class and humour into a brilliant novel.
We meet Mr Gradgrind and his dear friend Mr Bounderby (of Coketown!) The early characterisations are superbly portrayed, the irritating preoccupation with logic and statistics whilst shunning fancy and imagination as out of hand. Dickens brings his characters to life in a multitude of ways, from his use of repetition to the small quirks of each key figure. There are character arcs galore whilst other characters remain unlovable in their attitude toward each other, themselves and the world around them.
Dickens reminds us that it is not class and background that moulds person; nobody can predict the criminality of a person based solely on their class. Although I personally saw the twist relating to the robbery from a mile off it was well worked and showed how far upper class folks can fall despite a logical and well to do upbringing. The fact Dickens casts the travelling girl as one of the most humane, gentle and compassionate of characters displays Dickens’ ability to see past social constructs to the individual men and women of the time.
The Drawbacks…
Dickens scrapes the surface of unionisation though this is at a surface level. Some aspects of this theme got lost on me as I tried to negotiate my way through the various conflicting stretches in the novel. This was not helped by the use of language from Dickens who decided – unwisely in this readers opinion – to use accents in the communication between the lower and upper classes. This made these portions of the text a chore to read, having to read carefully the different words that were not always easy to decipher.
Final Thought: A good way to introduce yourself (or others) to the world of Dickens. He paints a bleak portrait of the 1800s at a time of unionisation and gulfs between classes. If you can tolerate the heavier parts – such as accents being used as noted above – you will no doubt be ready for more of this legendary author!
I did not think that this was going to be an enjoyable book, but it was quite good. It had developed relationships, and even some you wish did not exist. The upbringing of Lousia and Tom is a childhood not worth a thing, what would you become if you were not allowed your imagination? tThe further in I got, the more intriguing the plot became, and even a little mystery to be solved, which i did not see coming. The writing for this particular story was just perfect, and very understandable. All in all a good book. I don't think i would have had any interest to pick it up for som light reading, but then again sometimes you are surprised.
I simply don’t care about anything that happened in this book and worse yet, I don’t care about any of the characters. I read Dickens for his characters and there was very little to sink my teeth in in this volume. I pretty much don’t buy any of it. The only interesting part was the opening scene in the school and the depiction of Mrs. Gradgrind and the reasons Mr. Gradgrind chose her as a wife.
It surprises me how much I actually enjoyed this book?
Perfect Musical Pairing: Another Brick In The Wall (Parts 1, 2, and 3) by Pink Floyd
--------------------
Normally, I really enjoy required reading, and you can't go wrong with Charles Dickens, but this one just didn't seem to hit the mark for me. Part of a book being "good" is coming to it (or it coming to you) at the right time and place in your life, and I guess this one didn't come to me at the right time or place.
It also didn't help matters that it rudely interrupted my reading of [b:A Tale of Two Cities|1953|A Tale of Two Cities|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344922523s/1953.jpg|2956372]...
But like I said earlier, you can never go wrong with Charles Dickens. He's like Hayao Miyazaki, but for books, in that he's never made an explicitly bad one, it's just that some are better than others.
I'm just going to keep this one on the backburner for now. Perhaps in the future, I'll come back to it on my own time and at my own pace, and maybe then I will be able to properly appreciate it and enjoy it. Until then, no rating for this one.
--------------------
Normally, I really enjoy required reading, and you can't go wrong with Charles Dickens, but this one just didn't seem to hit the mark for me. Part of a book being "good" is coming to it (or it coming to you) at the right time and place in your life, and I guess this one didn't come to me at the right time or place.
It also didn't help matters that it rudely interrupted my reading of [b:A Tale of Two Cities|1953|A Tale of Two Cities|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344922523s/1953.jpg|2956372]...
But like I said earlier, you can never go wrong with Charles Dickens. He's like Hayao Miyazaki, but for books, in that he's never made an explicitly bad one, it's just that some are better than others.
I'm just going to keep this one on the backburner for now. Perhaps in the future, I'll come back to it on my own time and at my own pace, and maybe then I will be able to properly appreciate it and enjoy it. Until then, no rating for this one.