Hard Times by Charles Dickens, 272 pages
Dickens'
shortest novel takes place in the fictional industrial city of
Coketown, a city which is run on Facts. Mr Gradgrind, the local MP, is
particularly fond of Facts, to the extent that in the raising of his
children, Louisa and Thomas, he has allowed no Fancy to enter their
heads. Bereft of mind-clouding Sentiment, Louisa is free to enter into a
loveless marriage with her father's friend, Mr Bounderby, the local
banker, while Thomas is able to embark on a career for which he has
neither the talent nor the interest.
A wonderful novel, full of Dickens' characteristic comic verve, even if
the characters are somewhat less memorable than some of his other
creations. Satirically biting and still relevant, it is also genuinely
moving, as Gradgrind tragically learns the difference between men and
statistics.
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