Hard Times
by Charles Dickens  (1854)

Hard Times by Charles Dickens is a classic novel set in Victorian England, originally published in 1854. It follows the story of Thomas Gradgrind, a harsh utilitarian school headmaster, and his family and students, who struggle to reconcile their diverse perspectives on life.

'Hard Times is a story of our times as well as those as Mr. Dickens'. The characters and situations may be dressed in period garb, but their thoughts and actions are timeless. In a period when so many were downtrodden and society severely crippled with the "haves" and the "have nots" ... when compassion was underestimated and governments of self interest the norm.... Dickens writes a tale devoted to finding truth within truth, heart within those predisposed to see heartlessness a virtue, and understanding slow to grow within hearts and minds so poorly exercised. His portrait might be one of our current century and circumstances with slight changes in locale, transport, and occupation. Those duped are still duped today, government stooges still rule a scene of inequities and hold fast the status quo, those of power based on tremendous wealth still pontificate while pulling the strings of political hacks, and the righting of wrongs, leveling of the field, fixing of the broken institutions is still the domain of the few.- -Susan Goldin