Hard Times (Bantam Classics): Amazon.co.uk: Charles Dickens: Books

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Product Description

Barry V. Qualls, Rutgers University

"Graham Law’s edition of Hard Times is the most useful edition for teaching Dickens that I have seen." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Kate Flint, University of Oxford

"This is an excellent edition - clear, authoritative and stimulating." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

24 Reviews

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3.8 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)

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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Underrated Dickensian gem, 10 Mar 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Hard Times (Penguin Popular Classics) (Paperback)

'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.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece!, 19 Nov 2003

By	"piccolaali" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Times (Wordsworth Classics) (Paperback)

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.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved by the Ending, 25 Feb 2005

By	J. E. Robinson - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Hard Times (Penguin Popular Classics) (Paperback)

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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars It's grim oop north
Great literature always shines a light on universal truths, and the universal truth here is that London based writers and journalists (in this case, Dickens) will never be... Read more

Published 9 days ago by P. G. Harris

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favourite Dickens Novel
This is a fantastic Dickens novel and although not regarded by many critics as his best it is definitely my favourite. Read more

Published 4 months ago by I. M. Knight

3.0 out of 5 stars Passable Dickens - a tale of the Industrial Revolution that runs out of steam
"Hard Times" is an enjoyable read for the most part but not really (dare I say it about a Dickens novel) a true classic. Read more

Published 6 months ago by unlikely_heroine

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb CD
I can thoroughly recommend this CD. One of my favourite Dicken's stories read brilliantly by Anton Lesser. Wonderful characters, particularly Mr Bounderby (Brian Cluff). Read more

Published 9 months ago by D. Vaughan

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard times ahead if you're reading this tome
I had to read this for GCSE in 1994 and it was a struggle from start to finish. It truly was 'hard times' reading this book, but something in it did appeal to me, because it... Read more

Published 18 months ago by Greshon

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Dickens that I have read
A fantastic read, with wonderfully descriptive moments. Very moving towards the end with a great ending.

Published on 7 Jul 2007 by Baggie Blog

3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't quite live up to its promise
This started off being very funny and quite promising, but seemed to lose its way rather. Although often thought of as a critique of the harshness of capitalism during the... Read more

Published on 24 Jun 2007 by John Hopper

5.0 out of 5 stars Less is more.
Not a sprawling book, this is his shortest novel, but it is Dickens at his best. The pared down economy of writing here still crams a mighty punch with wonderful imaginary,... Read more

Published on 24 May 2007 by Mark Dickens

4.0 out of 5 stars A truly great British Classic!
When first met with the idea of having to read 'Hard Times' for uni, I must admit my response was parallel to that of having to watch paint dry. Read more

Published on 24 Sep 2006 by Ms. K. L. Oborne

5.0 out of 5 stars This was Bounderby good...
This is certainly my favourite Dickens! It's far shorter (268 pages) and to the point than many of his other works, but no less full of his mad characters, and the ending is... Read more

Published on 12 Aug 2006 by possiblejersey

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Hard Times (Bantam Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

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