Charles Dickens novel featuring Thomas Gradgrind and Josiah Bounderby (4,5)

I believe the answer is:

hard times

(Other definitions for hard times that I've seen before include "Possibly description of our crossword" , "Stealers of things" , "Novel featuring Mr Gradgrind" , "Book by Dickens" , "old book" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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