Hard Times

Charles Dickens

Sinopse

Hard Times (originally Hard Times—For These Times ) was published in 1854, and is the shortest novel Charles Dickens ever published. It's set in Coketown, a fictional mill-town set in the north of England. One of the major themes of the book is the miserable treatment of workers in the mills, and the resistance to their unionization by the mill owners, typified by the character Josiah Bounderby, who absurdly asserts that the workers live a near-idyllic life but they all "expect to be set up in a coach and six, and to be fed on turtle soup and venison, with a gold spoon." The truth, of course, is far different. The other major topic which Dickens tackles in this novel is the rationalist movement in schooling and the denigration of imagination and fantasy. It begins with the words "Now, what I want is, Facts," spoken by the wealthy magnate Thomas Gradgrind, who is supervising a class at a model school he has opened. This indeed is Gradgrind's entire philosophy. "Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else." He is supported and encouraged in this approach by his friend Bounderby. Grandgrind raises his own children on these principles, and, as we discover, in doing so blights their lives. The novel also follows the story of a particular mill-worker, Stephen Blackpool, who leads a tragic life. He is burdened with an alcoholic, slatternly wife, who is mostly absent from his life, but who returns at irregular intervals to trouble him. This existing marriage, and the near-impossibility of divorce for someone of his class, prevents him marrying Rachael, who is the light of his life. Dickens depicts Stephen as representing the nobility of honest work, and contrasts his character with that of the self-satisfied humbug Josiah Bounderby who represents the worst aspects of capitalism.

Disponível desde: 19/05/2026.

Comprimento de impressão: 356 páginas.

Outros livros que poderiam interessá-lo

Chita - A Memory of Last Island

Lafcadio Hearn

The tidal wave of 1856 takes a Louisiana island resort in one night, and a Spanish fisherman's family finds a child alive in the wreckage — whose own father is still alive, and looking. Hearn was born on a Greek island to an Irish surgeon, abandoned by both parents, blinded in one eye, and worked as a Cincinnati crime reporter before New Orleans and then Japan; the hurricane in this 1889 novella is the best prose he wrote in English.

Ver livro

The History of Pendennis Volume 2

William Makepeace Thackeray

The History of Pendennis follows the coming-of-age of Arthur Pendennis, a young man of modest means and romantic illusions, as he navigates love, ambition, and society in early 19th-century England. From his sheltered upbringing to his struggles as a writer in London, Pen confronts vanity, heartbreak, and moral compromise. Through his evolving relationships—with his devoted mother, loyal friend Warrington, and the elusive Laura—he gradually matures into a wiser, more compassionate man. Thackeray blends satire and sentiment to critique social pretension while offering a nuanced portrait of youthful idealism tempered by experience.

Ver livro

Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare

Witty, sparkling, and irresistibly entertaining, Much Ado About Nothing is one of William Shakespeare's most beloved comedies—a brilliant exploration of love, deception, honor, and the delightful chaos of human relationships. Set in the sunlit town of Messina, this timeless play blends sharp humor with heartfelt romance, creating a story that continues to charm audiences centuries after it was first performed.

At the center of the play are two contrasting couples. The young and impressionable Hero and Claudio fall quickly into what seems to be a perfect romance—until jealousy and manipulation threaten to destroy their happiness. Meanwhile, the fiercely intelligent Beatrice and the proudly cynical Benedick engage in a "merry war" of words, each vowing never to marry while clearly masking deeper feelings for one another.

When a mischievous scheme is set in motion to trick Beatrice and Benedick into confessing their love, their spirited rivalry transforms into one of literature's most celebrated romances. At the same time, darker forces conspire to deceive Claudio into believing that Hero has betrayed him, leading to public humiliation, heartbreak, and a test of loyalty and truth.

Through mistaken identities, overheard conversations, and clever plots, Shakespeare crafts a lively tale that balances laughter with moments of genuine emotional depth. The play examines themes of trust, reputation, gender expectations, and the fine line between appearance and reality. With its unforgettable dialogue and vibrant characters, Much Ado About Nothing captures both the joy and vulnerability that accompany love.

From the comedic blunders of the endearing constable Dogberry to the sharp-tongued brilliance of Beatrice, the play offers a rich cast of characters who bring humor and humanity to every scene. Shakespeare's masterful blend of romance and satire ensures that this comedy remains as fresh and engaging today as it was in the Elizabethan era.

Delightful, intelligent, and full of heart, Much Ado About Nothing is a celebration of love in all its complications—a reminder that sometimes the greatest misunderstandings can lead to the happiest endings.

Ver livro

As the Crow Flies - From their...

John Davys Beresford

John Davys Beresford was born on 17th March 1873.  His life was blighted by infantile paralysis which left him partially disabled. 
After an education at Oundle school he trained to be an architect.  However, he quickly decided that his life was to be centred on a literary career.  His first offerings were in drama and as a journalist. 
As well as being a book reviewer for the Manchester Guardian he contributed to New Statesman, The Spectator, Westminster Gazette, and the Theosophist magazine The Aryan Path.   
His spiritual journey in early adulthood had claimed him as an agnostic, in defiance of his clergyman father.  This view he later abandoned in preference to describing himself as a Theosophist and a pacifist. 
As well as many novels, many themed with spiritual and philosophical elements.  Beresford was also a gifted short story writer particularly across the science-fiction, horror and ghost genres. 
All of these elements helped him to obtain a prominent place in Edwardian Literary London. 
John Davys Beresford died on the 2nd February 1947. He was 73.

Ver livro

Vanity Fair - Audiobook

William Makepeace Thackeray,...

William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair is a monumental satire of nineteenth-century English society. Subtitled "A Novel Without a Hero," it chronicles the rise and fall of Becky Sharp, a clever, ambitious, and morally ambiguous woman determined to secure wealth and status in a world driven by greed, vanity, and hypocrisy. Alongside her, the virtuous but naïve Amelia Sedley provides a striking contrast, embodying the traditional values of love and loyalty.Through its vivid cast of characters, from aristocrats to soldiers, Thackeray exposes the follies and pretensions of a society obsessed with appearances and material success. His biting wit, sharp observations, and refusal to glorify any single character make the novel both a mirror of Victorian life and a timeless commentary on human weakness.Endlessly entertaining and profoundly insightful, Vanity Fair remains a classic of world literature. Its mixture of humor, irony, and moral questioning continues to captivate readers and listeners, reminding us of the eternal dance between ambition and virtue.

Ver livro

The Bells of San Juan

Jackson Gregory

The Bells of San Juan is a novel by American author Jackson Gregory, published in 1919. It is a western adventure story set in a small California town, where a new sheriff faces a gang of outlaws led by Jim Galloway, a ruthless and ambitious criminal. The novel also features a romance between the sheriff and a young woman doctor, who helps him recover from a head injury that changes his personality. The title refers to the mission bells that ring to announce different events in the town, such as births, deaths, fires, weddings, and discoveries of gold. The novel was adapted into a silent film in 1922, starring Buck Jones as the sheriff.

Ver livro