Welcome to EAMDRAL, the Eleventh Annual May Dickens Read-ALong. AMDRALing is a spring tradition in these parts, and this will be the quickest one we've ever had. So far we are a small but mighty crew of 3 or 4, but this is the easiest-ever AMDRAL to catch up on if you need a little more Dickens in your life.
In the book's early chapters we meet Mr. Gradgrind, the fact-loving fancy-fearing father of offspring whose numbers include Adam Smith Gradgrind and Malthus Gradgrind. We are more focused on his daughter Louisa, though, whose first appearance in the story makes it clear to the reader that she finds her day-in-day-out diet of just-the-facts-ma'am to be a wearying existence.
We also meet Mr. Bounderby, who reminds me of my most difficult relative. He boasts the most and infers the worst, and he seems determined to keep it that way. When Mr. Gradgrind asks Sissy Jupe, "What's in the bottle you are carrying?" Mr. Bounderby answers immediately and falsely: gin. (Sissy is actually bringing a blend of soothing oils to her father, about whom more soon.)
Jump in and join us!
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