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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
I have to admit, I was pretty nervous going into this one. I am not very well versed in classic literature so I was worried that I would find it difficult to read and understand. Thankfully, I found that this was not the case! I found it very easy to read and understand, though I did find it a bit boring. I didn't really connect with the characters and ultimately didn't care much about the plot. However, I would much rather read a slightly boring book for class that is easy to read than one that is difficult to read but interesting (considering we don't have much time to read the texts for this class). I have really enjoyed the discussions we are having in class and I hope that the essay I will have to write about Hard Times will also help develop my appreciation for this book. Ultimately, I came out of this with a willingness (if not desire) to pick up Charles Dickens in the future!
I had to read this for my university course - I have to say I did NOT enjoy this book... AT. ALL. It really was a 'hard time' reading it!
I'm a lot bigger of a fan of Dickens in my head than I am in reality, it seems. While this novel is much shorter than the average Dickens tome, it still felt heavy and overly long. (This from the girl who pluckily trudged through Bleak House.) Apparently utilitarianism was a strong enough movement at the time that Dickens felt the need to address it...thoroughly. So many of Dickens' characters in this book feel like the written equivalent of nails on a blackboard. That didn't bother me a bit when I was younger, for some reason, but I suppose there's enough irritation in daily adult life now that I have less patience for it in fiction. Still, in the end I was glad I had read it; the Dickens spell may have been weakened of late, but it's still in effect.
This was so depressing LMAO nobody was happy. The end was also kind of depressing (pretty sure that’s the point though) but at least Louisa and Sissy had a happy-ish ending.
Didn’t love it as much as Great Expectations or A Christmas Carol but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. Also interesting to get a look into the industrial revolution and the impact it had on Victorian England.
Didn’t love it as much as Great Expectations or A Christmas Carol but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. Also interesting to get a look into the industrial revolution and the impact it had on Victorian England.
Probably not the most accessible of Dickens' books but I read it for its relevance to currently battles around curriculum and education. You won't find a more scathing critique of how we warp our children when we try to make education purely utilitarian and devoid of creativity, wonder or critical thinking. Also chose this for BookRiot's 2021 Read Harder challenge item of a book you've been intimidated to read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Probably my favorite Dickens novel. Uses symbolism to represent how incorrect it is to live life by desiring to become educated and successful when really life is about love and happiness.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes