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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
my fourth Dickens novel. if i had to rank the novels I've read by him, this would probably fall at the bottom, not because I disliked it but it's mediocre compared to the others.
to begin with, the book is a social critique of the effects of industrialization on individuals and society. about how the era brought forth an emphasis for profit over well-being and about how through utilitarian philosophy, the human soul and emotions are neglected. I liked the message as a whole but it felt a bit overt. most chapters started with a blunt criticism of coketown, the dwelling of the main cast. something along the lines of "Coketown's dreary ambiance and decaying walls ensured that its residents were deprived of sunlight." this is my own rendition of it but it might just as well be an excerpt from the novel.
the characters are all representations of a certain theme being conveyed by the author. the twist (iykyk) was something i did not see coming, but it made so much sense. i wasn't a fan of the main conflict since it emphasized the presence of minor characters too much which felt odd. a focus on the central figures would have better relayed the message. i also felt the crime itself wasn't grave enough to throw light on the issues he sought to address. it could've been done a lot better.
overall, i had fun with the story and it was a quick read (although my tracked dates would say otherwise). probably wouldn't read again though :) next is hopefully Great Expectations or Bleak House
to begin with, the book is a social critique of the effects of industrialization on individuals and society. about how the era brought forth an emphasis for profit over well-being and about how through utilitarian philosophy, the human soul and emotions are neglected. I liked the message as a whole but it felt a bit overt. most chapters started with a blunt criticism of coketown, the dwelling of the main cast. something along the lines of "Coketown's dreary ambiance and decaying walls ensured that its residents were deprived of sunlight." this is my own rendition of it but it might just as well be an excerpt from the novel.
the characters are all representations of a certain theme being conveyed by the author. the twist (iykyk) was something i did not see coming, but it made so much sense. i wasn't a fan of the main conflict since it emphasized the presence of minor characters too much which felt odd. a focus on the central figures would have better relayed the message. i also felt the crime itself wasn't grave enough to throw light on the issues he sought to address. it could've been done a lot better.
overall, i had fun with the story and it was a quick read (although my tracked dates would say otherwise). probably wouldn't read again though :) next is hopefully Great Expectations or Bleak House
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Compared to some of his other books, this one seems almost light-hearted. Only, it's not. It's hard to explain. I really like the contrast of various characters, and the plights of Stephen Blackpool and Louisa Gradgrind.
“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.”
― Charles Dickens, Hard Times
Thus, the book essentially begins, building its characters, who believe such nonsense, from scratch. The rest of the book plays out the consequences of raising human children essentially without humanity. Along come characters who upset that ardent belief in Fact, and open wide the door for Faith, Hope, & Charity to show themselves to the victims of Fact, and bring disruption and healing.
Nothing is tied up perfectly neat and tidy, but neither is it left all in shambles. Some characters see their faults, learn, and change. Others suffer dreadful consequences. Still others just keep going on in their old way, but alone.
I would love to have read this in college course, and get more out of it via class discussions and professors. It seems ripe for that sort of thing.
I love Dickens.
“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.”
― Charles Dickens, Hard Times
Thus, the book essentially begins, building its characters, who believe such nonsense, from scratch. The rest of the book plays out the consequences of raising human children essentially without humanity. Along come characters who upset that ardent belief in Fact, and open wide the door for Faith, Hope, & Charity to show themselves to the victims of Fact, and bring disruption and healing.
Nothing is tied up perfectly neat and tidy, but neither is it left all in shambles. Some characters see their faults, learn, and change. Others suffer dreadful consequences. Still others just keep going on in their old way, but alone.
I would love to have read this in college course, and get more out of it via class discussions and professors. It seems ripe for that sort of thing.
I love Dickens.
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This entire book is just a character study, normally, I don't tend to like those, but this one was amazing. The plot was so intricately woven, the story written so excellently. The writing is very legible, and it reads like an absolute dream.
People who brush aside Dickens because they think it's all going to be old, overhyped, crusty stories are missing out BIG TIME. Dickens is truly hilarious, and that wit paired with dynamic characters and multilayered tales make for positively riveting reading. I was laughing out loud throughout this book, like when Mrs. Sparsit calls Bounderby a "Noodle" behind his back, or when the robbery occurs but serious talk about it keeps getting derailed because no one can stay on topic and instead they start talking about snoring and such.
There were a couple tricky bits to get through, primarily just reading the phonetically written dialogue of Blackpool and Rachael. But I just looked at a quick Shmoop summary for those couple chapters and then read them again and that helped me immensely.
Everything else was just really REALLY good! I'm someone who enjoys recurring motifs and themes that can be picked out directly, and Dickens does an excellent job of presenting these to the reader without shoving it down their throat. In "Hard Times" Dickens presents a look at imagination and emotions VS a very factual, no-nonsense attitude, all set against the industrial city of Coketown. It's a very well-paced and put together novel, and I enjoyed it thoroughly!
There were a couple tricky bits to get through, primarily just reading the phonetically written dialogue of Blackpool and Rachael. But I just looked at a quick Shmoop summary for those couple chapters and then read them again and that helped me immensely.
Everything else was just really REALLY good! I'm someone who enjoys recurring motifs and themes that can be picked out directly, and Dickens does an excellent job of presenting these to the reader without shoving it down their throat. In "Hard Times" Dickens presents a look at imagination and emotions VS a very factual, no-nonsense attitude, all set against the industrial city of Coketown. It's a very well-paced and put together novel, and I enjoyed it thoroughly!