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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.

OP posts:
LadybirdDaphne · 01/02/2022 06:57

Fine with me to read more in Feb Smile

StColumbofNavron · 31/01/2022 18:51

Fab, thanks Piggy.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 31/01/2022 17:55

Yes : 7 -16!

OP posts:
ChessieFL · 31/01/2022 17:43

So chapters 7-16 during Feb? That’s fine with me.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 31/01/2022 17:37

That's grand Piggy!

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 31/01/2022 17:35

Possibly, then we could all read to the end of Part One in February? I looked yesterday and that is only 50 odd pages and seems doable whatever one's approach?

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StColumbofNavron · 31/01/2022 08:20

I don’t mind either. This worked ok for me, but I’d be ok with a few more if the majority do. I don’t save them all up but read across the month.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 31/01/2022 07:39

Maybe they are a bit short. I don't mind either way. I think 'Hard Times' is a short book. Nothing like the length and breadth of 'Little Dorrit'.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 31/01/2022 06:56

Great! It won't take you long, I wouldn't think.

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IchBinEinCurrywurster · 30/01/2022 23:34

Hi I'd love to join you all. I've only just downloaded it so I'd better get going!

ChessieFL · 30/01/2022 05:56

I would be happy to double up the instalments and finish it in 3/4 months, but equally happy to stick with the current schedule if others prefer. Some of the early chapters have been very short so I don’t feel I’ve read much of it yet. I don’t know if later chapters are longer though which may make a difference.

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 29/01/2022 18:55

I am wondering of my parts are too short? May have to discuss this next week!
That said, I haven't read my full quota yet. Am enjoying it thus far.

OP posts:
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 27/01/2022 11:02

Place-marking on this thread ahead of next week.
I'll be reading over the chapters this weekend :)

StColumbofNavron · 26/01/2022 19:21

I'm reading chapter 6 this evening in readiness (and also, I fell off the thread).

AliasGrape · 24/01/2022 14:04

I’m just finishing up chapter 6.

I had it in my head we were reading all of book one in January - I’m not quite sure what I imagined we’d do for the rest of the year since at that pace we’d be finished by March Grin

Anyway just wanted to get this thread back onto ‘threads I’m on’ ready for discussion.

ChessieFL · 09/01/2022 06:21

I haven’t started yet. I’ll probably wait until later in January so it’s fresh in my mind when we come to talk about it.

StColumbofNavron · 08/01/2022 21:29

I’m on chapter 5.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 08/01/2022 20:14

I'm looking forward to it!

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 08/01/2022 18:50

OK, all. I have not started yet but as a reminder Chaps 1-6 by end Jan!

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MagratLancre · 08/01/2022 18:22

I'm in! Never done a read along before but sounds fun!

RelentlessForwardProgress · 05/01/2022 00:14

My copy arrived today, and its a beauty.

If anyone is wanting to buy a paper copy and hasn't got round to it yet, I'd recommend the Macmillan Collector's library one, £10.99 (£8.45 on amazon).

Obviously the content is the same, but this is just a lovely little thing, gold edged pages, ribbon book mark, hardback with little oak leaves printed on the end papers. and a good size for carrying about, 10cm x 15cm. I tend to buy slightly manky second hand books most of the time, so its a rare treat!

InTheCludgie · 04/01/2022 19:32

Kindle copy bought, I've got two weeks to myself coming up once all uni assignments are done so plan to start my chapters then.

SOLINVICTUS · 03/01/2022 18:19

I've just downloaded it.
I dithered over the War and Peace readalong but I'd never stick to it.

AliasGrape · 03/01/2022 15:29

I ordered a paperback version of the wordsworth edition in the end, not sure why but felt like I wanted the physical book for this. I'm excited to get started now!

Original poster
Piggywaspushed · 03/01/2022 11:46

Welcome! Hard Times is quite sort so a good place to start.

David Copperfield is my favourite too.

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