Charles Dickens: Hard Times (1854)

    Published in 1854, the story concerns one Thomas Gradgrind, a "fanatic of the demonstrable fact," who raises his children, Tom and Louisa, in a stifling and arid atmosphere of grim practicality (Goodreads).

     What Hard Times lacks in plot, it makes up for in character development. Dickens' masterful use of characterization and description enter in full tilt in this industrial age novel. Brilliant characterization, but a great lack of real plot make the story a bit too wordy, especially near the midpoint of the novel. A poignant and humorous beginning and a satisfying ending bookend the story, but the somewhat dull midsection makes it somewhat difficult to make it to the end. 6.5/10

Dante Alighieri: Inferno (1320) - Translated by Allen Mandelbaum (2004)

    Here is Dante at his ribald, shocking, and demonic best as he describes in unforgettably vivid detail his harrowing descent to the very bottom of Hell (Goodreads).

    While much of the actual plot is up for the readers' interpretation, this first installment in the Divine Comedy is certainly an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Dante's language (and Mandelbaum's translation) give a chilling description of the circles of Hell, and use wonderful examples of contrast in narration especially, one moment using beautiful poetic language, and the next using harsh cacophonies of sentences. Dark bits of humor thrown in are a satisfying addition, and while the format is somewhat hard to understand, and often a tad full of ancient Italian people and politics that are no longer relevant, Dante's vocabulary and philosophy are nearly unmatched. Slow moving to start off with, the pace quickens later on, leading to a disorienting but satisfactory ending. 6.6/10