Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great book not my favorite Dickens but was really good. I could say many things bout it but I think I’ll just leave it at Poor Tom the young whelp.
04/12/2024
2024 reads book 60
Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts; nothing else will ever be of any service to them.
A clear jab by Dickens about the awfulness of industrialism and the effect it has on people.
This seems to be regarded as people's least favorite Dickens, which I really don't understand. The character development that Mr. Gradgrind goes through is amazing, and something I wish I could read more of in modern books. On top of that, tt's a special kind of skill to purposefully write awful characters, and still giving them clear and distinct characteristics instead of just being evil. And dear lord did I hate Tom, Bounderby and Mrs. Sparsit.
spoilers!!
I do wish that Tom suffered more consequences for what he did, and what his actions eventually made happen to Stephen. Justice for poor Stephen should have been more than just clearing his name, the poor man died a terrible death. I know they said Tom died poor and alone, but still. Also what happened to James in the end?
2024 reads book 60
Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts; nothing else will ever be of any service to them.
A clear jab by Dickens about the awfulness of industrialism and the effect it has on people.
This seems to be regarded as people's least favorite Dickens, which I really don't understand. The character development that Mr. Gradgrind goes through is amazing, and something I wish I could read more of in modern books. On top of that, tt's a special kind of skill to purposefully write awful characters, and still giving them clear and distinct characteristics instead of just being evil. And dear lord did I hate Tom, Bounderby and Mrs. Sparsit.
spoilers!!
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
First in relation to this audio edition...I didn't enjoy the introduction (sounds so condescending) and it does give spoilers for the story. That out of the way, the narrator for the main story is very good though has a slow voice - in a rare occurrence I had to speed it up (I usually listen on 1.0).
In terms of the story, I thought it was very good. Short for Dickens, and very action-packed. There was never a dull moment! It also felt complete, with each character being rounded off. Lacking some of the humour of his other books, but still dark and a great exploration of human nature.
I had been putting this one off, mainly due to the title thinking it would be depressing. Although sad moments this wasn't a "hard" listen, though apt for describing the struggles of the poor characters. Very good.
In terms of the story, I thought it was very good. Short for Dickens, and very action-packed. There was never a dull moment! It also felt complete, with each character being rounded off. Lacking some of the humour of his other books, but still dark and a great exploration of human nature.
I had been putting this one off, mainly due to the title thinking it would be depressing. Although sad moments this wasn't a "hard" listen, though apt for describing the struggles of the poor characters. Very good.
Took a bit but than captured my attention and speech. My first Dickinson but highly captivating with a cadence that dances through the pages.
The beginning is a little more dry than Dicken's normally is but the ending really hits you.
I hate Dickens. I really do. Haven't even read him much.
This was a reading i had to do for my literature class. Not so fun.
I don't like his optimism and belief in the "good" in people. Somehow all the good characters get a happy end (even if they die, they go out "beautifully", u know) or/and justice is served.
Maybe I'm just too much of a hater, but why did I kinda enjoy Christmas Carol until Scrooge got all sappy?
I feel his stories truly have this "realism" feel throughout, and then he just hits us with "and all good people held hands while the bad guys got the miserable end".
Plus, all the injustice and "bad" in people is shown through almost obvious ways. There's not enough depth in it for me, at least on the surface. (I am not about to dissect a novel I do not care about.)
I don't know. Honestly, I can't quite pinpoint why I don't like his stories, but I get the same unpleasant feeling everytime I read anything from him. It's also unenjoyable for me in general.
His stories certainly have interesting elements and his writing (if a little boring), has its kick sometimes. I did like some passages in this book a lot, f.ex.: "As I am here besides you, barefoot, unclothed, undistinguishable in darkness, so must I lie through all the night of my decay, until I am dust."
Lovely.
This is what is crazy to me. He occasionally hits me with stuff like this and I'm likez damn. And then he just continues with whatever he was doing before.
Now, I did like Louisa a lot, even though I felt as if her, and most characters, acted "ooc" by the end. Also, what's with the random romantic insert (Jem) who then just as randomly disappears???
I think I've said enough.
Honestly, I'm surprised this even gets 3 stars from me, so.
This was a reading i had to do for my literature class. Not so fun.
I don't like his optimism and belief in the "good" in people. Somehow all the good characters get a happy end (even if they die, they go out "beautifully", u know) or/and justice is served.
Maybe I'm just too much of a hater, but why did I kinda enjoy Christmas Carol until Scrooge got all sappy?
I feel his stories truly have this "realism" feel throughout, and then he just hits us with "and all good people held hands while the bad guys got the miserable end".
Plus, all the injustice and "bad" in people is shown through almost obvious ways. There's not enough depth in it for me, at least on the surface. (I am not about to dissect a novel I do not care about.)
I don't know. Honestly, I can't quite pinpoint why I don't like his stories, but I get the same unpleasant feeling everytime I read anything from him. It's also unenjoyable for me in general.
His stories certainly have interesting elements and his writing (if a little boring), has its kick sometimes. I did like some passages in this book a lot, f.ex.: "As I am here besides you, barefoot, unclothed, undistinguishable in darkness, so must I lie through all the night of my decay, until I am dust."
Lovely.
This is what is crazy to me. He occasionally hits me with stuff like this and I'm likez damn. And then he just continues with whatever he was doing before.
Now, I did like Louisa a lot, even though I felt as if her, and most characters, acted "ooc" by the end. Also, what's with the random romantic insert (Jem) who then just as randomly disappears???
I think I've said enough.
Honestly, I'm surprised this even gets 3 stars from me, so.
I remember crying in class when we finished this and the sadness still plagues me today :(
medium-paced