Hard Times by Charles Dickens

I am glad to say that finally this story has gained some momentum.  But perhaps this lack of a fruitful story is only sacrifice to the simply captivating writing style of Dickens.  At the start of Book the Third the story really began to take off, especially with the meeting between Louisa and her father where she blames him for her awful upbringing and her inability to have proper emotions.  This was a powerful turning point in the story, as well as character development.  We see that Mr. Gradgrind is sorry for not allowing his children to live normal lives and finally sees the pain that he has caused his daughter.  Louisa confesses her hate for her husband and her true feelings for Harthouse.  I am looking forward to the ending of this book.  

Hard Times by Charles Dickens Chapters 1-14

This book thus far has been difficult to form an opinion on.  The book opens in a 1854 European schoolroom filled with children being taught nothing but facts.  In this room is a girl named Sissy Jupe who is more commonly referred to by her "number" which is number twenty.  When she is asked if placing floral carpet in one's home is practical or not she answers yes.  This of course is the wrong answer as seen by the teachers since flowers are made to stay outside.  This opening scene launches a rather bland story of a father who disproves of all types of imagination or creative power from his children.  This story leaves much to be desired, but the writing style combined with the vivid descriptions of images and deep characters that makes this book worth reading.  

Quarter 1 Reaction

Looking over my blogs so far for the first quarter of school I see that all but one are about either a biography or memoir story of some kind.  I tell about how each story, book or chapter makes me feel and also provide somewhat of a summary.  This quarter it has been my goal to read books of the biography/memoir genre and so far I feel that this goal has been met.  I read two memoir based books and am currently reading a novel based on the life of the author.  This blogging experience has been a positive one for me, I can reflect on the books that I choose to read.  Rather then talking about the books that are required in class.  

For the second quarter of school, my goal is to read more into the play/classic genre.  I feel that reading works of fiction will open up my blogs in terms of analysis and insight.  I'm hoping that my blogs for the second quarter will be more meaty, as in having more than just the required five sentences.  Since football season has ended I will have more time to read and blog.  I hope to complete four books this quarter rather then the three that I read the first quarter.