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Original poster

Hard Times readalong 2022

242 replies

Piggywaspushed · 28/12/2021 09:52

Hello and welcome to the selected Dickensalong of 2022 : Hard Times.

This is Dickens' shortest novel (yay!) but was still serialised in instalments running from April to August 1854.

I propose shortening this slightly:

January BOOK ONE Chapters 1- 6
February Chapters 7–12
March Chapters 13 -16
April BOOK TWO Chapter 1- 5
May Chapters 6-12
June BOOK THREE Chapters 1 - 5
July Chapters 6 to end.

Some version number chapters consecutively but I have gone for the Wordsworth edition numbering. Hope that is OK.

So this is kind of a pint sized readalong! Might be more manageable for some of those who fall by the wayside normally (naming no names...)

I enjoy Dickens when he does social commentary so am looking forward to this one and to eventually meet Gradgrind.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 05/06/2022 12:36

Good idea to look up the old thread :)

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 05/06/2022 12:20

Ha cludgie, you remember better than me!

The first one was started to match with Katie's YouTube readalong but she kept falling behind. She then had a minor tantrum and declared herself out of readalongs - I think that was the David Copperfield one. She still does some but shorter books and in 4 weeks or so.

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InTheCludgie · 05/06/2022 11:33

@IsFuzzyBeagMise Bleak House is on my to-read list for this year, I think I made it to around two thirds of the way through when my DF passed away. I'll probably carry on following the old readalong thread too (IIRC this was the readalong where reviews by Katie the booktuber were linked monthly in the thread, which was quite entertaining).

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 05/06/2022 11:19

Thanks @InTheCludgie I've done the last two. I'm thinking of reading 'Bleak House' later on this year.

InTheCludgie · 05/06/2022 11:13

@IsFuzzyBeagMise there have been at least five - Bleak House, David Copperfield, Our Mutual Friend, Little Dorrit and Hard Times (with the last one being the only one I've seen through to the end!). There may have been more before Bleak House though, am sure a longer serving 50 booker can keep us right on that.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 05/06/2022 09:30

Brilliant, thanks Piggy.

Just wondering, how many Dickens books did you all read as a group?

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 05/06/2022 07:03

Here is a link to new thread.
Apologies for typo on mid chapter!

www.mumsnet.com/talk/what_were_reading/4562778-womaninwhitealong-readalong-20223

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Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 04/06/2022 20:12

I only found the Penguin via Google.

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MaryasBible · 04/06/2022 20:06

My Harper-Collins version arrived today. I couldn’t see a penguin copy on Amazon. I shall look forward to starting tomorrow

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/06/2022 18:42

Thanks Piggy. Doing it by voices sounds logical. We can tweak it it as we go along if necessary. We might* *a few more to join in, we'll see!

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 04/06/2022 18:32

Okeydoke. Have tried to split it by voices. Sections very uneven in length but seems the logical way. Will set up a Collinsalong tomorrow!

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InTheCludgie · 04/06/2022 17:55

I'm happy to go with a June start too.

Terpsichore · 04/06/2022 16:17

Me too.

ChessieFL · 04/06/2022 14:58

I’m happy to start in June.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/06/2022 14:57

I would definitely like to start in June :)

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 04/06/2022 14:44

My Penguin edition has arrived!

Are we waiting until July to read our first bit or do we want to get stuck in and do a June section, which I think would be about 126 pages?

The original serialisation was 40 weekly parts so I need to figure out something a bit more user friendly! It's quite complicated...

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InTheCludgie · 04/06/2022 08:38

MaryasBible this is the first readalong I've managed to complete - the first one I joined was Bleak House back in 2018/19 but I had to drop out when my DF passed away suddenly. Have had a couple of failed attempts at other readalongs since then too! These books are still on my TBR list and I'm going to try and finish Bleak House before the year is out. WIW is very readable, you should hopefully have more luck with this one.

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 04/06/2022 02:01

I read TWIW not that long ago so I'll pass on this one and maybe see you on the next read along. Have fun.

MaryasBible · 03/06/2022 18:35

I’ve failed miserably at the 2 read alongs I’ve tried so far in 2022. I hid the War & Peace thread by mistake and haven’t seen another yet to jump back in.

I’m a glutton for punishment though so I’ll order the woman in white 😎

InTheCludgie · 03/06/2022 18:18

I've ordered a copy from a library in the next council area along from me. The libraries in my own council area have multiple copies of WIW but they only seem to be available in the High schools (along with the vast majority of their other classic novels, which is a pain).

When are we thinking of starting - 1st July?

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 03/06/2022 16:19

I downloaded a copy on Kindle, but I think I'll get a paperback too as I know I like it.
I like being able to flick back on what I've read.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 03/06/2022 14:50

My Collins copy has arrived. Tiny print and very rigid spined. Might need to fork out on the Penguin from Waterstones....

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 02/06/2022 14:49

InTheCludgie · 02/06/2022 14:23

I read WIW a few years ago but am more than happy to go with this, it's definitely worth a reread IMO.

Yes, I really like it too.

InTheCludgie · 02/06/2022 14:23

I read WIW a few years ago but am more than happy to go with this, it's definitely worth a reread IMO.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 02/06/2022 11:27

Not really...

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