Product Description

Coketown is dominated by the figure of Mr Thomas Gradgrind, school headmaster and model of Utilitarian success. Feeding both his pupils and family with facts, he bans fancy and wonder from any young minds. As a consequence his obedient daughter Louisa marries the loveless businessman and 'bully of humanity' Mr Bounderby, and his son Tom rebels to become embroiled in gambling and robbery. And, as their fortunes cross with those of free-spirited circus girl Sissy Jupe and victimized weaver Stephen Blackpool, Gradgrind is eventually forced to recognize the value of the human heart in an age of materialism and machinery.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #143992 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Barry V. Qualls, Rutgers University
"Graham Law’s edition of Hard Times is the most useful edition for teaching Dickens that I have seen."

Kate Flint, University of Oxford
"This is an excellent edition - clear, authoritative and stimulating."

About the Author
Charles Dickens was born at Portsmouth on 7 February 1812. He received little formal education, but taught himself shorthand and became a reporter of parliamentary debates for the <I>Morning Chronicle</I>. He began to publish sketches in various periodicals, which were subsequently republished as Sketches by Boz. <I>The Pickwick Papers</I> were published in 1836–7 and after a slow start became a publishing phenomenon and Dickens's characters the centre of a popular cult. He began <I>Oliver Twist</I> in 1837, followed by <I>Nicholas Nickleby</I> (1838) and <I>The Old Curiosity Shop</I> (1840–41).After finishing <I>Barnaby Rudge</I> (1841) Dickens set off for America; he went full of enthusiasm for the young republic but, in spite of a triumphant reception, he returned disillusioned. His experiences are recorded in <I>American Notes</I> (1842). <I>Martin Chuzzlewit</I> (1843–4) did not repeat its predecessors' success but this was quickly redressed by the huge popularity of the Christmas Books, of which the first, <I>A Christmas Carol</I>, appeared in 1843. During 1844–6 Dickens travelled abroad and he began <I>Dombey and Son</I> while in Switzerland. This and <I>David Copperfield</I> (1849–50) were more serious in theme and more carefully planned than his early novels. In later works, such as <I>Bleak House</I> (1853) and <I>Little Dorrit</I> (1857), Dickens's social criticism became more radical and his comedy more savage. Charles Dickens died on 9 June 1870.

Customer Reviews

Underrated Dickensian gem
'Hard Times' is one of Dickens' most evocative novels, painting a vivid picture of the grinding, soulless industrialisation that so troubled the author. Introducing a host of brilliantly conceived characters, it is a memorable read. Gradgrind and Bounderby earn a well deserved place in the canon of Dickens' finest literary creations. Although serious in purpose, with a biting social commentary, it is written in Dickens' customary vein of humour and the author's ear for dialect and vernacular is gloriously manifest. A good start for those who normally shy away from Dickens because of his lengthy novels as it is relatively short and a definite must for anyone interested in social novels or an amusing read.

A masterpiece!
This is not just a story about the injustices and inequalities between rich and poor. True, the book does discuss these points, but Dickens also admirably portrays family relationships and how they can effect us in our future lives. Mr Gradgrind (schoolteacher who believes only in fact) gives his daughter, Louisa, to a loveless marriage with the proud factory owner of an industrial town. Being educated solely in fact, and discouraged from dreaming or fantasizing, she finds herself falling deeper and deeper into a well of sadness. It is only after trial that she is able to confront her father and together they are able to resolve her sadness. Without giving too much of the story away, many other relationship difficulties are brought up: brother and sister, parents, a jealous spinster, and a mother and son. For some these may not be the obvious points in the book, but if you search beyond the bleakness of the unjust victorian industry, they shine above all. In my opinion, this book (much like the others) shows Dickens's great ability at understanding human nature and writing stories around this, often in a humorous way, to make us see how we can improve ourselves within our families and make the choices that we really want.

Saved by the Ending
I love the ending of this novel by Dickens when he says:

"Dear reader! It rests with you and me, whether, in our two fields of action, similar things shall be or not. Let them be! We shall sit with lighter bosoms on the hearth, to see the ashes of our fires turn cold and grey."

This novel is all about what one would think of as a dreary life in a north England mill town (fictitiously) called Coketown. It is named after the seemingly endless plumes of thick coal smoke being emitted from many different mills in this small lifeless town. But true to Dickens style he gives us a delightful set of characters that we can love or hate but who keep us entertained through a quick read of about 300 pages.

There is method in the madness, in that Dickens tries to push us in the direction of accepting that fate was not preordained for these folks and they could choose a better life if they so desired. He includes many biblical references and references to the mid 1800 culture to keep it all upbeat and entertaining.

I was expecting a more depressing plot to reflect the title "Hard Times", but in many ways it is good times for some of the characters, and as Dickens says at the end that he can hope for a positive outcome for their lives - the precise details of which he leaves us guessing.

Entertaining 5 star read at a bargain price by a wonderful author.