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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
This book was odd, I enjoyed reading it when I was actually reading it. But I never wanted to pick it up.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Funny, short, and so narrowly focused that you can't help but see what Dickens was aiming at with this deviancy of a novel. It's not set in London, it's far shorter than the other books, and at times you can almost feel Dickens' anger at the Bentham/Mill camp surging from the page. It certainly makes you think, about our own societal issues, in a non-orphans way (sorry, but that's Dickens for you most times). I didn't understand why it was included in the Great Works box set until I read it - now I totally see why it was included.
More thoughts, at length (especially about the funny bits), at RB: http://wp.me/pGVzJ-mL
More thoughts, at length (especially about the funny bits), at RB: http://wp.me/pGVzJ-mL
This is definitely, for me, Charles Dickens' best writing ever. The philosophical tumult that flows through the Gadgrind family affecting not only them but others surrounding them is unparalleled. Character development has always been Dickens' strong suit and it holds true more than ever during Hard Times.
this book took me aaaages to finish.
some chapters i liked, though some bored me to death. likewise, i absolutely hated some of the characters, for instance, Bounderby was despicable, whereas i could sympathize with Stephen.
all in all, it was not an awful book, i found it quite enjoyable, however i didn't love it.
some chapters i liked, though some bored me to death. likewise, i absolutely hated some of the characters, for instance, Bounderby was despicable, whereas i could sympathize with Stephen.
all in all, it was not an awful book, i found it quite enjoyable, however i didn't love it.
Classic Dickens, fantastic as always. His characters are humorous (the names are so great). The story has those old familiar themes on class and conditions of the time. And of course, he has bits of mystery and drama interspersed.
The only reason I managed to get through this book was with the aid of an audiobook and only because every voice actor had a very strong Yorkshire accent.
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually started this book way back in 2009 and I did not enjoy reading it all that much. Maybe because it has an odd structure to it or maybe because its themes are so broad and so many: environmental pollution, the plight of the working poor, the danger in promoting reason and science over heart and humanity. It all comes together in the end, but for a relatively short Dickens novel, it takes a long time getting there. Plus, there is one character who speaks entirely in dialect and another who speaks entirely with a lisp and that is tough to read. I would rather read a “translated” version of such idiosyncrasies.