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.