Hard Times

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Coketown is ruled by Mr. Thomas Gradgrind, a school owner epitomizing Utilitarian success. He insists on teaching only facts, dismissing imagination and wonder, which leads to dire consequences for his children. His daughter Louisa marries the unloving businessman Mr. Bounderby, while his son Tom rebels, becoming involved in gambling and theft. Their lives intertwine with Sissy Jupe, a free-spirited circus girl, and Stephen Blackpool, a victimized weaver. Gradgrind ultimately confronts the limitations of his rigid beliefs, recognizing the importance of the human heart amidst a materialistic and mechanized society. This edition is based on the original 1854 text, with an introduction by Kate Flint that highlights the often-overlooked character dynamics in Dickens’s critique of Victorian industrial life. For over seventy years, Penguin has been a leading publisher of classic literature, offering more than 1,700 titles that represent a global bookshelf of significant works across genres and disciplines. The series is trusted for its authoritative texts, enhanced by scholarly introductions and notes, as well as contemporary translations by award-winning translators.