Mary W. (edfan) reviewed Hard Times, Third Edition (Norton Critical Editions) on + 8 more book reviews
While some in my book group found this book difficult to get into, others were intrigued by the similarity of themes to contemporary times. Are we not concerned about those with rigid beliefs that defy understanding and who reject any attempt to reason? That would be the characters of Gradgrind and Bounderby. Do we not sympathize with workers subjected to inhumane conditions, miners, factory workers, particularly in foreign countries? That would be the workers in Coketown, Dickens' fictional setting for this novel. Love thwarted, parents who misunderstand children, people who spy on others, people stuck in their unfortunate circumstances, bad marriages, these are all interesting themes explored in this book, one of Dickens shorter novels. Give it a chance beyond the first 20 pages.
Contemporary readers considered this book too dark, even for Dickens, and yet bits of it are still really funny, even today.
