What the Dickens

I have to read Hard Times by Charles Dickens, and then write an essy about his opinions on the Victorian Education system, but there is one main problem stopping me from doing that: Dickens is impossible to read. Seriously, I can barely read a chapter without wanting to kill myself, the language he uses is convoluted and unnecessary, and I have been told about an insomniac who read Dickens every night to cure himself. PLEASE, if you have experienced similar problems, how did you get through them, and if you have read Hard Times specifically, do you have any tips? I beg you. PLEASE!

never read it, never will.

Heh, the ultimate cure for insomnia is actually Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, not anything by Dickens. Seriously, if I could stay awake through that snorefest, then I can read anything!

Okay, if you're finding it a very dry and boring book, I can recommend that a good way to get through it is to set goals each night before the deadline. For instance, you could set the goal of reading 20/30 pages a night. You could even set up a reward system, whereby you give yourself a reward after fulfilling each goal.

I go to any of my bookworm friends for help. There are usually those certain people that can understand anything in an old book. It especially helps whenever I have to answer questions for a piece of hard literature. I have my friends just dumb it down for me.

Originally Posted by Asta

Heh, the ultimate cure for insomnia is actually Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, not anything by Dickens. Seriously, if I could stay awake through that snorefest, then I can read anything!

Okay, if you're finding it a very dry and boring book, I can recommend that a good way to get through it is to set goals each night before the deadline. For instance, you could set the goal of reading 20/30 pages a night. You could even set up a reward system, whereby you give yourself a reward after fulfilling each goal.

"No breathing until I finish this book."

how about stop crying and read the goddamn book

at least you have books

consider yourself fortunate

Trust me, I'd rather not have books than my only book be something by Dickens.

Originally Posted by Figaro

I have to read Hard Times by Charles Dickens, and then write an essy about his opinions on the Victorian Education system, but there is one main problem stopping me from doing that: Dickens is impossible to read. Seriously, I can barely read a chapter without wanting to kill myself, the language he uses is convoluted and unnecessary, and I have been told about an insomniac who read Dickens every night to cure himself. PLEASE, if you have experienced similar problems, how did you get through them, and if you have read Hard Times specifically, do you have any tips? I beg you. PLEASE!

two words. Cliff Notes.

I remember picking up "Oliver Twist" by him during the summer before my freshman year of highschool, thinking that at least if I read it I could brag to everyone that I had read it.

Read a bit past the "please sir, can I have some more?", "MOAR!?!".
Before thinking "f*** it, it's not worth it."

So I watched the movie instead.

My advice is either Spark Notes/Cliff Notes, good luck bro.

Originally Posted by Figaro

I have to read Hard Times by Charles Dickens, and then write an essy about his opinions on the Victorian Education system, but there is one main problem stopping me from doing that: Dickens is impossible to read. Seriously, I can barely read a chapter without wanting to kill myself, the language he uses is convoluted and unnecessary, and I have been told about an insomniac who read Dickens every night to cure himself. PLEASE, if you have experienced similar problems, how did you get through them, and if you have read Hard Times specifically, do you have any tips? I beg you. PLEASE!

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/hardtimes/

Thanks for everyone's help. I have now finished the book and the essay and it was hell, but less so with your advice, so thankyou once again.