Thomas Hardy
Regarded as a towering figure in nineteenth-century British literature, Thomas Hardy ranks among the most acclaimed of the Victorian realists. Though he achieved more popular success for works such as Far From the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d'Urbervilles, most critics now see The Mayor of Casterbridge as Harding's crowning accomplishment. This novel traces the ascension of Michael Henchard from a hardscrabble manual laborer
...Thomas Hardy's novel of seduction and abandonment introduced his most memorable tragic heroine, the unworldly maiden Tess. On her morning journey to earn money for her impoverished family, Tess' horse has an accident, forcing her to seek assistance from some newly rich relatives. There, she is vigorously pursued by Alec, who corners her in a field one night and takes advantage of her. After bearing a child who quickly dies, Tess meets and falls
...Dip into a classic work of fiction that many critics regard as one of the novels that helped to usher in the modern era of literature. When it was originally published, Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native rocked Victorian England with its frank discussion of titillating subjects such as out-of-wedlock relationships. Today, the novel offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the mores and moral constraints of a bygone era.
Dive into a classic tale of romance from the mind of the writer who penned such favorites as Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d'Urbervilles. This story is set in the rural village of Little Hintock and follows the troubled romance between Giles Winterborne and his longtime love Grace Melbury. Though Winterborne is determined to marry his childhood sweetheart, social conventions and prying family members stand in the way.
...Dip a toe into the literary oeuvre of British novelist and poet Thomas Hardy in this well-curated collection of some of his best short stories. Hardy was famed for his ability to create characters who struggle mightily against social mores and circumstances beyond their control, and this strength shines in the finely drawn characters who populate these tales.
Whether you're a long-time fan of Thomas Hardy's works or a first-time reader who is curious about the author of such masterpieces as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd, this collection of short stories offers a gratifying introduction to the renowned British naturalist's literary talent.
Dive into a classic work from the author responsible for beloved novels such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd. Combining elements of romance and psychological suspense, A Pair of Blue Eyes is a rewarding and enthralling read.
Many of Thomas Hardy's best-known works of fiction were set in the Dorset region, which he called "Wessex." Many of these poems, written over a period of 30 years, are also set in and deeply influenced by the Wessex landscape. Although Hardy considered himself to be more a poet than a novelist, this was his first published collection of verse.
Through a fortuitous series of events, brave Ethelberta has risen from a humble family background to marry well, travel the world, and emerge as a popular poet and author. Will she be able to overcome her lower-class roots and make her way in the world when her husband's untimely demise leaves her wholly in charge of her own fortune?
13) Wessex Tales
Dip into this delightful volume of short stories from famed British author Thomas Hardy. Spanning myriad aspects of nineteenth-century life, this eclectic collection of tales—by turns quaint and caustic—is sure to sate your craving for stories from the English countryside.
Though best remembered as one of the foremost Victorian realists who created classic works of fiction like Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy always considered himself to be more a poet than a novelist at heart. Over time, critics and fans alike have warmed to Hardy's verse, and his influence has been cited by several acclaimed contemporary poets, including Philip Larkin. This poetry collection brings together
...Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928) was a naturalist and writer, whose fiction sits on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution and is filled with an imminent sense of nostalgia for the coming transformation of the British countryside. He was also a ferocious critic of the unfair treatment of women both sexually and socially in Victorian society. The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid is set in Hardy's alternate landscape, called Wessex after the
...16) A Laodicean
Though he is best remembered today for Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy's 1881 novel A Laodicean is also a worthy read for fans of his work. An architect falls madly in love with a young heiress, but his feelings initially are not requited. Along the way, a number of unsavory secrets are revealed.
Short stories are a perfect way to enjoy and appreciate classic literature in reader-friendly, bite-sized chunks. This collection of perfectly polished little gems from Thomas Hardy, author of works such as Return of the Native and Far from the Madding Crowd, offers a great introduction to this renowned author.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a harrowing critique of social class and the powerlessness of women. Tess, a beautiful young woman, is pushed on her rich "relatives" by her grasping father. When the young Lord does with her as he likes, Tess's whole life falls into ruins from which she attempts to free herself. The novel met with mixed reviews upon publication, because it challenged the precepts of society. It is now considered a classic of
...From the acclaimed author of works such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd comes the novel The Trumpet-Major, which combines the backdrop of wartime with the aching intensity of Harding's best work about love relationships. Fans of historical fiction that is humanized by plotlines that focus on personal relationships should heed the call of The Trumpet-Major.
Sculptor Jocelyn Pierston is obsessed by the notion of female beauty—and he'll travel to the ends of the earth to find a living, breathing model that embodies the ideal that haunts his imagination. His creative quest compels him to hang around the edges of a family of famed British beauties and pester three generations of the women. Will he fulfill his artistic dream? Read The Well-Beloved to find out.