Hard Times (Abridged) Audiobook

" one of dickens best novels getting in the dark mood of England during the first revolution where coal covered everything even some humans spirits "

" Though I planned to read this eventually, I am starting earlier than planned for I have to read this for one of my college courses. "

" Any other freaks out there who giggle like a child as they read Dickens? I find his humor outstanding and his stamina for writing equal to that of Alexandre Dumas (both were socially conscious and generous men as well). I don't love this book as well as Great Expectations, and it has a bit of an awkward start, but I have found my pace with Dickens and I regret that a high school teacher made us read A Tale of Two Cities too early to appreciate him, and, sadly, turn me away from his novels. I have returned to him, and I truly appreciate his humor, characters, poignant observations, and concern for humanity. "

" I read this in High School and didn't like it at all, especially the horrible Mr Gradgrind. "

" Reading it for my Bachelor thesis and loving it. Dickens rocks! ;) "

" So, this guy, Chuck Dickens? Turns out he can write really well! I had a fantastic time reading this (well, listening to it, actually). Great fun, wonderful language, exciting plot and the knowledge that by the end, all the loose ends will be tied up. Just a wonderful read. "

" Realized that I'm not a fan of Dickens. "

" I had great expectations, but a hard time getting through this. I understood the themes, but this was tedious. "

" Very rarely have I enjoyed anything less. Blehk. Would not have made it through if I didn't have to for a class. "

" Although is dragged somewhat in the middle, I loved the wonderful characters and the circular plot that brought the ending back around to events from the first chapter. "

" I kept thinking of "Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd while reading this. It's excellent, and so applicable to our times. "

" More studied than read but very enjoyable. Facts, Mr Gradgrind, Facts! "

" Finished this for the umpteenth time - such a good book; although I'm having trouble thinking of how to best use it in a seminar. And of hpw to present it in relation to Bleak House. However, this is a rather nice bundle of problems to have. "

" I actually have no opinion of this book as of now, but I know I didn't hate it.... thus the three stars. "

" gritty dark harsh. the lives of northen mill workers. one of my favourite dickens novels. "

" The audio version that I listened to was read by Anton Lesser - he was fantastic! This story of how Thomas Gradgrind's teachings had such a negative effect on his children Louisa and Tom and their emotional well-being stills rings true today! "

" Eh. Will probably be the first and last time I read a Charles Dickens novel. "

" I'm not a huge fan of Dickens' writing style. I also thought the family drama in the novel was overshadowing the conditions of the working class. "

" I really liked this novel despite the apparent lack of happiness and luck on the part of the characters. Again the characters are taken on a learning curve and the hard Louisa Gradgrind transforms in front of the reader. That typical happy ending is lacking but the characters are reconciled. "

" Dickens is what he is - and I love it. Is it over-long? Yes. Is it overly sentimental and moralistic? Yes. Great, super, smashing! I feel better about the world after reading Dickens. Contemporary literature needs more humanity and less criticism - is that ironic? "

" i have study this at colege and it was really good novel expressing the age of machines & factorys with all of thier negative aspects on humans. "

" Gosh I didn't like this book! It's so depressing and I felt I missed Dickens' message because of it. "

" Hard Times is my favourite of Dickens' punishment of the false and annoying. There is not a revenge sweeter than having a life's worth of lies unpoured over tea and cakes. "

" From the title one can guess this is a bleak story, however, I was surprised and impressed by Mr. Dickens' sense of humour. "