Crossword Genius

Novelly difficult periods (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hard times

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'novelly' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'difficult periods' is the wordplay.
'difficult' becomes 'hard' (associated in meaning).
'periods' becomes 'times' (time is a kind of period).
'hard'+'times'='HARD TIMES'

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(Other definitions for hard times that I've seen before include "Novel featuring Mr Gradgrind" , "work with social relevance" , "Possibly description of our crossword" , "Dickensian chronicle" , "Stealers of things" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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