Other editions of book Hard Times

How is this book unique? Free AudiobookIllustrations includedUnabridgedHard Times – For These Times (commonly known as Hard Times) is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book appraises English society and highlights the social and economic pressures of the times.Hard Times is unusual in several respects. It is by far the shortest of Dickens' novels, barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it. Also, unlike all but one of his other novels, Hard Times has neither a preface nor illustrations. Moreover, it is his only novel not to have scenes set in London. Instead the story is set in the fictitious Victorian industrial Coketown, a generic Northern English mill-town, in some ways similar to Manchester, though smaller. Coketown may be partially based on 19th-century Preston. One of Dickens's reasons for writing Hard Times was that sales of his weekly periodical, Household Words, were low, and it was hoped the novel's publication in instalments would boost circulation – as indeed proved to be the case. Since publication it has received a mixed response from critics. Critics such as F. R. Leavis, George Bernard Shaw, and Thomas Macaulay have mainly focused on Dickens's treatment of trade unions and his post–Industrial Revolution pessimism regarding the divide between capitalist mill owners and undervalued workers during the Victorian era.

In Coketown, England, wealthy retiree Thomas Gradgrind has founded a school based on his belief that life should be factual—not fanciful. Among his pupils are his children, Thomas and Louisa, who are raised on his teachings of rational self-interest and grow into loveless, despairing adults. As he bears witness to his children’s suffering, Gradgrind is forced to confront the dangers of his dispassionate, utilitarian philosophy.Published serially in 1854 and packed with page-turning cliff-hangers, Hard Times explores representatives of English society—the disappearing aristocracy, the growing middle class, indigent laborers, and nomadic circus people—as they navigate the ways of Victorian England during the Industrial Revolution. AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature’s most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.Revised edition: Previously published as Hard Times, this edition of Hard Times (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions.

Hard Times by Charles DickensHow is this book unique? Illustrations IncludedHard Times – For These Times (commonly known as Hard Times) is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book appraises English society and highlights the social and economic pressures of the times.Hard Times is unusual in several respects. It is by far the shortest of Dickens' novels, barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it. Also, unlike all but one of his other novels, Hard Times has neither a preface nor illustrations. Moreover, it is his only novel not to have scenes set in London. Instead the story is set in the fictitious Victorian industrial Coketown, a generic Northern English mill-town, in some ways similar to Manchester, though smaller. Coketown may be partially based on 19th-century Preston. One of Dickens's reasons for writing Hard Times was that sales of his weekly periodical, Household Words, were low, and it was hoped the novel's publication in instalments would boost circulation – as indeed proved to be the case. Since publication it has received a mixed response from critics. Critics such as F. R. Leavis, George Bernard Shaw, and Thomas Macaulay have mainly focused on Dickens's treatment of trade unions and his post–Industrial Revolution pessimism regarding the divide between capitalist mill owners and undervalued workers during the Victorian era.

Hard Times is unusual in several respects. It is by far the shortest of Dickens' novels, barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it. Also, unlike all but one of his other novels, Hard Times has neither a preface nor illustrations. Moreover, it is his only novel not to have scenes set in London. Instead the story is set in the fictitious Victorian industrial Coketown, a generic Northern English mill-town, in some ways similar to Manchester, though smaller. Coketown may be partially based upon 19th-century Preston. One of Dickens's reasons for writing Hard Times was that sales of his weekly periodical, Household Words, were low, and it was hoped its publication in instalments would boost circulation - as indeed proved to be the case. Since publication it has received a mixed response from critics. Critics such as F. R. Leavis, George Bernard Shaw, and Thomas Macaulay have mainly focused on Dickens's treatment of trade unions and his post-Industrial Revolution pessimism regarding the divide between capitalist mill owners and undervalued workers during the Victorian era.

Hard Times by Charles Dickens – a timeless literary masterpiece of the Victorian era – has captivated millions of hearts and minds of readers for a century and a half all over the world. This unique edition includes dedicated author’s biography, novel synopsis, historical context, little knows facts, contemporary critique and illustrations.There are many themes in the novel, there is a constant fight between ‘Fact’ and ‘Fancy’, and there is also fight between interests of the rich and the poor. The plot is set in industrial Coketown. Thomas Gradgrind, wealthy retired merchant, who has two children, Louisa and Tom, founded a school. Mr Gradgrind represents ‘Fact’. He charitably takes on Sissy to the school, a daughter of a circus worker, who represents ‘Fancy’. Tom, Louisa and Sissy grow up, problems emerge, plot intensifies, more characters come into play from both sides of the barricade – the rich and the poor, tension is mounting and … . You best find it out yourself.The novel touches on the very important questions about the society, but in a simple way without hidden meanings. Charles Dickens’ novel, in his appraisal of the society, shows us the social and economic pressures of the Victorian era.'Hard Times was first published in instalments in 1854.Charles Dickens was born in 1812 and died in 1870. He left a legacy of magnificent novels that are still very popular with readers.