I have to be honest, this is not my favourite Dickens novel. I can see why there aren’t dramatizations of this book like other more popular books (Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, for example).

This is written with the author’s usual humour, and I liked that. He is the best writer when it comes to characterisation. He has a unique way of describing people’s traits and faults. It is with dry humour that we learn of Mrs Sparsit’s Coriolanian eyebrows and Roman nose. Also, referring to Tom Gradgrind Jr as ‘The Whelp’ is an act of genius.

I struggled with the way Stephen Blackpool’s, Rachael’s, and Mr Sleary’s accents are written phonetically. Especially, Mr Sleary’s lisp. It made for tough going in the sections where they speak. There wasn’t any need for this. Dickens could easily have shown us their speech when we were first introduced to them, and then sprinkle the accents sparingly throughout. It reminded me of Joseph’s accent in ‘Wuthering Heights.’ It’s too much. Maybe, it’s because I’m a southerner, and these accents are northern.

The plot was a little lacking, also. I don’t know if it is because the novel is shorter than other Dickens tomes, but there just seems to be very little happening. Tom Gradgrind educates his (and other) children in hard facts. There is no room for fancy or wonder, and his two oldest children, Louisa and Tom, suffer terribly because of it. Louisa is given in marriage to the paedophile character of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Bounderby has his eye on Louisa from the time she is a young child, and it gave me the creeps. Nonetheless, I liked Tom Gradgrind Sr all the way through. I think he was a good, but misguided, man.

While living with Bounderby, Louisa falls in love with her husband’s ally, James Harthouse. I was disappointed at how this man disappeared so quickly when asked to leave. It showed a distinct lack of scruples.

At the same time, the bank which Bounderby owns is broken into at night and robbed. Stephen Blackpool, who has since left town, is immediately thought to be the culprit. However, Louisa has other suspicions. Right is restored at the end of the book. But it is a little late for Stephen.

So, those are the well-off mill owners and factory owners. On the other side of the equation, we have Stephen Blackpool, his deformed, alcoholic wife, Rachael, Sissy, and all the circus folk. These people are worth 1000 of those with money. These people are essentially good. Rachael, in particular, has goodness running through every pore. Her friendship with and belief in Stephen Blackpool is pure and genuine.

So, all in all, I enjoyed this because I enjoy Dickens’s writing. But it’s not his best novel. Not by a long shot.

People who enjoy Dickens' dry humour. It is entertaining, really, because of the mastery of writing.

Rachael. What can I say? With a name like that, she had to be fantastic! I loved the comparison of the rich, rotten factory owners and the poor, but good, lower classes. I think it is clear whose side Dickens is on.

The lack of plot. I didn't really get the point of this novel.

Read something contemporary with a fast, exciting plot.

A little disappointed, if I'm honest. It did amuse me at times, but not as much as I'd hoped for. And there were no characters who moved me very greatly.

Dickens is a master of wit and social commentary. This is not one of his best books.

It's Dickens. Always worth a read.

You may feel a little like you're pulling teeth in order to reach the end of it.

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Created Nov 06, 2021 at 8:44am • Submit your own review...