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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really thought I was going to dislike this book, I haven’t read anything by Charles Dickens before and I just always thought his writing style and the subjects he covers would bore me. However, when I tell you I enjoyed this book, I genuinely thought it was brilliant.
The characters were very cleverly created and the development of certain characters within this book is just incredible. I absolutely hated some of the characters, but the way in which Dickens portrays them makes you feel slightly sorry for them until they do something utterly awful or annoying and then you’re back to hating them.
The theme of this book primarily revolves around the idea of ‘Fact, fact, fact’ and love. It constantly questions which is better, to have everything but love or to have nothing but love and I found this really really interesting and fun to read about. The things that certain characters do for love whereas others expect them to do it because they owe them or have nothing more important to do was something that both annoyed and interested me because it highlights just how different people are and the way in which each character thinks and works.
The idea of power was also something that was frequently referenced to in this book. The fact that the more money you had and the more facts you knew placed you in a higher echelon of society, when in reality those with high status know nothing at all about how the world works or even their fellow human beings worked was both mind boggling and scary as it showed how corrupt those in power truly are.
I would really recommend this book as although it is most certainly frustrating in parts it is such a clever and well written book that I really enjoyed.
The characters were very cleverly created and the development of certain characters within this book is just incredible. I absolutely hated some of the characters, but the way in which Dickens portrays them makes you feel slightly sorry for them until they do something utterly awful or annoying and then you’re back to hating them.
The theme of this book primarily revolves around the idea of ‘Fact, fact, fact’ and love. It constantly questions which is better, to have everything but love or to have nothing but love and I found this really really interesting and fun to read about. The things that certain characters do for love whereas others expect them to do it because they owe them or have nothing more important to do was something that both annoyed and interested me because it highlights just how different people are and the way in which each character thinks and works.
The idea of power was also something that was frequently referenced to in this book. The fact that the more money you had and the more facts you knew placed you in a higher echelon of society, when in reality those with high status know nothing at all about how the world works or even their fellow human beings worked was both mind boggling and scary as it showed how corrupt those in power truly are.
I would really recommend this book as although it is most certainly frustrating in parts it is such a clever and well written book that I really enjoyed.
adventurous
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the 10th book in my #ayearofdickens2021 challenge.
Hard Times has been a unique Dickens reading experience. I’d become so used to tackling massive tomes and spending weeks at a time getting to know and live with Dickens' characters, that this brief little novel took me off guard. There wasn’t quite as much time to sink into the characters or their relationships and I felt perhaps that I didn’t experience the same strong feeling I had when reading some of his other novels.
Nevertheless this little read packs a punch! In around 230 pages Dickens addresses some hefty issues. Workers’ rights and classist attitudes come to the fore, as does the conflict of reason vs imagination. Family bonds and misplaced love are examined, and justice is put under the spotlight. All in all an intense wee book and one I enjoyed, although it doesn’t quite make it into my Dickens favourites.
I’ll try and corral my thoughts:
TONE
At first the tone of the book was very amusing. Dickens paints the characters of Mr Gradgrind and Josiah Bounderby in a cleverly satirical way. I felt like Dickens was asking the reader to be complicit with him in mocking these characters, their views and behaviours. The opening sentence tells us almost all we need to know about Mr Gradgrind and his views on education.
“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…”
Calling the schoolteacher Mr M’Choakumchild gives us an insight into what Dickens thinks of this utilitarian approach.
The tone changes as the book progresses however, and the portrayals of Stephen Blackpool and Rachael and the grim aspect of Coketown itself soon dim the humour and highlight the lot and hardships of the workers. Towards the end it becomes more philosophical as characters are called to question their beliefs and behaviours in life and the book finishes in quite a reflective manner.
CLASS/PREJUDICES
There are a number of contrasts throughout the book which show prejudices and classist views.
Mr Gradgrind views his family and school as being above and incompatible with the visiting circus performers. He believes their frivolous existence is a bad influence and wants to exclude Sissy the circus child from his school. He fails to see any merits they might have as he’s blinded by his narrow views .
Josiah Bounderby, continually professing himself to be a self-made man, has no sympathy for the workers in his factories. He sees them as conniving and lazy and only regards them as a means to maximise his production and profit. They are barely regarded as human, but rather as cogs in a machine. Mrs Sparsit represents faded gentility and Bounderby often cites her titled relations as a contrast to his own rough upbringing.
Mr Harthouse, the indifferent gentleman, perhaps best embodies the lack of care and consideration for others that’s often exhibited by the employers or politicians towards the working classes. He operates from a place of selfishness and has no thought of the consequences of his actions.
FAMILY/RELATIONSHIPS
There are many examples of failed relationships throughout the book - whether familial, romantic or platonic. Gradgrind fails Louisa and Tom as their father, Sissy’s father abandons her, Bounderby claims abandonment by his mother, Young Tom proves an ungrateful and deceitful brother. However there are found families to balance this - Sissy’s circus family, who then become almost family to the Gradgrinds. Sissy herself is established amongst the Gradgrinds.
Stephen Blackpool’s unhappy marriage is countered by his faith in Rachael and her belief in him.
Harthouse and his indifference are challenged by Sissy’s devotion and honest heart and even prodigal Tom repents of his selfish ways.
REASON v IMAGINATION
Perhaps the most prevailing theme is that of Reason v Imagination. Dickens clearly shows that humans cannot exist without some emotional stimulus. Life becomes dry and meaningless when founded only on facts. Louisa grows up knowing that her life is missing something and this almost becomes her undoing. Gradgrind himself is not as emotionless as he makes out and ultimately realises that there are qualities just as important as rationality. Sissy and the Circus represent the more chaotic and loving side of humanity and by bringing the two together at the climax of the book, Dickens shows the complementary nature of both aspects of humanity.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whilst I didn’t get long enough to fall in love with these characters, I did form favourites. Stephen and Rachael’s humble honesty won me over and their story was a highlight, although I found Stephen very hard done by. Bounderby and Mrs Sparsit provided a fair bit of comedy and they certainly deserved each other. Troubled Louisa was another favourite of mine and I felt that Thomas Gradgrind deserved recognition for admitting the error of his ways and trying to make amends.
All in all a powerful read that touched on many subjects and gave an insight into Dickens' thoughts on working conditions and other societal injustices.
Hard Times has been a unique Dickens reading experience. I’d become so used to tackling massive tomes and spending weeks at a time getting to know and live with Dickens' characters, that this brief little novel took me off guard. There wasn’t quite as much time to sink into the characters or their relationships and I felt perhaps that I didn’t experience the same strong feeling I had when reading some of his other novels.
Nevertheless this little read packs a punch! In around 230 pages Dickens addresses some hefty issues. Workers’ rights and classist attitudes come to the fore, as does the conflict of reason vs imagination. Family bonds and misplaced love are examined, and justice is put under the spotlight. All in all an intense wee book and one I enjoyed, although it doesn’t quite make it into my Dickens favourites.
I’ll try and corral my thoughts:
TONE
At first the tone of the book was very amusing. Dickens paints the characters of Mr Gradgrind and Josiah Bounderby in a cleverly satirical way. I felt like Dickens was asking the reader to be complicit with him in mocking these characters, their views and behaviours. The opening sentence tells us almost all we need to know about Mr Gradgrind and his views on education.
“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…”
Calling the schoolteacher Mr M’Choakumchild gives us an insight into what Dickens thinks of this utilitarian approach.
The tone changes as the book progresses however, and the portrayals of Stephen Blackpool and Rachael and the grim aspect of Coketown itself soon dim the humour and highlight the lot and hardships of the workers. Towards the end it becomes more philosophical as characters are called to question their beliefs and behaviours in life and the book finishes in quite a reflective manner.
CLASS/PREJUDICES
There are a number of contrasts throughout the book which show prejudices and classist views.
Mr Gradgrind views his family and school as being above and incompatible with the visiting circus performers. He believes their frivolous existence is a bad influence and wants to exclude Sissy the circus child from his school. He fails to see any merits they might have as he’s blinded by his narrow views .
Josiah Bounderby, continually professing himself to be a self-made man, has no sympathy for the workers in his factories. He sees them as conniving and lazy and only regards them as a means to maximise his production and profit. They are barely regarded as human, but rather as cogs in a machine. Mrs Sparsit represents faded gentility and Bounderby often cites her titled relations as a contrast to his own rough upbringing.
Mr Harthouse, the indifferent gentleman, perhaps best embodies the lack of care and consideration for others that’s often exhibited by the employers or politicians towards the working classes. He operates from a place of selfishness and has no thought of the consequences of his actions.
FAMILY/RELATIONSHIPS
There are many examples of failed relationships throughout the book - whether familial, romantic or platonic. Gradgrind fails Louisa and Tom as their father, Sissy’s father abandons her, Bounderby claims abandonment by his mother, Young Tom proves an ungrateful and deceitful brother. However there are found families to balance this - Sissy’s circus family, who then become almost family to the Gradgrinds. Sissy herself is established amongst the Gradgrinds.
Stephen Blackpool’s unhappy marriage is countered by his faith in Rachael and her belief in him.
Harthouse and his indifference are challenged by Sissy’s devotion and honest heart and even prodigal Tom repents of his selfish ways.
REASON v IMAGINATION
Perhaps the most prevailing theme is that of Reason v Imagination. Dickens clearly shows that humans cannot exist without some emotional stimulus. Life becomes dry and meaningless when founded only on facts. Louisa grows up knowing that her life is missing something and this almost becomes her undoing. Gradgrind himself is not as emotionless as he makes out and ultimately realises that there are qualities just as important as rationality. Sissy and the Circus represent the more chaotic and loving side of humanity and by bringing the two together at the climax of the book, Dickens shows the complementary nature of both aspects of humanity.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whilst I didn’t get long enough to fall in love with these characters, I did form favourites. Stephen and Rachael’s humble honesty won me over and their story was a highlight, although I found Stephen very hard done by. Bounderby and Mrs Sparsit provided a fair bit of comedy and they certainly deserved each other. Troubled Louisa was another favourite of mine and I felt that Thomas Gradgrind deserved recognition for admitting the error of his ways and trying to make amends.
All in all a powerful read that touched on many subjects and gave an insight into Dickens' thoughts on working conditions and other societal injustices.
the plot got more interesting in Book 3. the writing would be absolutely beautiful if Charles Dickens only knew how and when to use a period. i must just be one of the people who don't vibe with his writing style.
funny
This is the darkest book I've read by Dickens. If you are a fan of Dicken's lighter works you may like like this book. It's more his version of hard social commentary.
slow-paced