A damning indictment of Utilitarianism & the dehumanising influence of the Industrial Revolution Charles Dickenss Hard Times" is edited with an introduction & notes by Kate Flint in " Penguin Classics". In " Hard Times" the Northern mill-town of Coketown is dominated by the figure of Mr Thomas Gradgrind school headmaster & model of Utilitarian success. Feeding both his pupils & family with facts he bans fancy & wonder from any young minds. As a consequence his obedient daughter Louisa marries the loveless businessman & bully of humanity Mr Bounderby & his son Tom rebels to become embroiled in gambling & robbery. & as their fortunes cross with those of free-spirited circus girl Sissy Jupe & victimized weaver Stephen Blackpool Gradgrind is eventually forced to recognize the value of the human heart in an age of materialism & machinery. This edition of " Hard Times" is based on the text of the first volume publication of 1854. Kate Flints introduction sheds light on the frequently overlooked character interplay in Dickenss great critique of Victorian industrial society. Charles Dickens is one of the best-loved novelists in the English language whose 200th anniversary was celebrated in 2012. His most famous books including " Oliver Twist" " Great Expectations" "A Tale of Two Cities" " David Copperfield" & " The Pickwick Papers" have been adapted for stage & screen & read by millions. If you enjoyed " Hard Times" you might like Dickens " Bleak House" also available in " Penguin Classics". "A masterpiece...a completely serious work of art". (F.R. Leavis)."