About the Author
Thomas Hardy was born on 2 June 1840 at Higher Bockhampton in Dorset. His father was a stonemason. Hardy attended school in Dorchester and then trained as an architect. In 1868 his work took him to St Juliot's church in Cornwall where he met his wife-to-be, Emma. His first novel, The Poor Man and the Lady, was rejected by publishers but Desperate Remedies was published in 1871 and this was rapidly followed by Under the Greenwood Tree (1872), A Pair of Blue Eyes (1873) and Far from the Madding Crowd (1874). He also wrote many other novels, poems and short stories. Tess of the D'Urbervilles was published in 1891 and he published his final novel, Jude the Obscure, in 1895. Hardy was awarded the Order of Merit in 1910 and the gold medal of the Royal Society of Literature in 1912. Emma died in 1912 and Hardy married his second wife, Florence, in 1914. Thomas Hardy died on 11 January 1928.
Featured books by Thomas Hardy
Far from the Madding Crowd
A tale of love and loss - the first of Thomas Hardy's novels to win him widespread recognition and popularity - reissued to accompany a major motion picture due for release in May 2015. The film version of Far from the Madding Crowd, is released in UK cinemas on Friday 1 May 2015. Click below to view the trailer.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Far From The Madding Crowd is a tale of loyalty, obsession and tragedy from a storytelling master. 2015 sees a major film release of probably Thomas Hardy's best novel, starring Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen and Tom Sturridge. The film version of Far from the Madding Crowd, is released in UK cinemas on Friday 1 May 2015. Click below to view the trailer.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
One of Anne Michaels' favourite books. 'Why does Tess continue to move us?...One is Hardy's relentless compassion. His characters are deeply human…and there is Tess herself, her lack of self-pity, her humility, her heorism…And of course, it is Hardy's writing, gloriously physical, full of passion and irony, humour and tenderness.' You can read Anne Michaels' full Introduction to Tess of the D'Urbervilles in this Orange Inheritance edition published by Vintage.
Other books by Thomas Hardy
The Mayor of Casterbridge
Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. In a fit of drunken anger, Michael Henchard sells his wife and baby daughter for five guineas at a country fair. Over the course of the following years, he manages to establish himself as a respected and prosperous pillar of the community of Casterbridge, but behind his success there always lurk the shameful secret of his past and a personality prone to self-destructive pride and temper. Subtitled 'A Story of a Man of Character', Hardy's powerful and sympathetic study of the heroic but deeply flawed Henchard is also an intensely dramatic work, tragically played out against the vivid backdrop of a close-knit Dorsetshire town.
Desperate Remedies
Hardy's first published novel, Desperate Remedies (1871), a piece of sensation fiction that encompasses illegitimacy, murder, blackmail, impersonation, and bigamy, was originally published anonymously. Written while, in Hardy's own words, he was 'feeling his way to a method', it nonetheless contains early examples of the kinds of extreme situations and emotions that continued to play a significant role in his later plots. As part of The Cambridge Edition of the Novels and Stories of Thomas Hardy, this edition of the novel provides an authoritative text; full scholarly apparatus that allows the reader to trace Hardy's creative process; an introductory essay discussing the work's composition, publication, and critical reception; and comprehensive explanatory notes.
![A Group of Noble Dames. [1891]](https://lr-assets.storage.googleapis.com/_nielsen/200/9780649040544.jpg)
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. An unforgettably powerful tragedy, Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the great classics of the late nineteenth century. This edition features illustrations by Sir Hubert von Herkomer and Joseph Syddall, and an afterword by Philip Mallett, editor of the Thomas Hardy Journal. Tess Durbeyfield's father forcibly sends her off to work for the wealthy D'Urberville family, hoping to alleviate their poverty and perhaps secure her a marriage to the cruel and manipulative Alec D'Urberville. His terrible assault upon her, and the subsequent child, form the terrible heart of Tess's tragic life - as family, love and future are taken away from her by the repressive mores of Victorian society.
The Return of the Native (1878)
The Return of the Native was a radical departure for Thomas Hardy, ushering in his tragic literary vision of the world. Though set in a small space (Egdon Heath in the fictional county of Wessex) and short time (a year and a day), the novel addresses the broad social and intellectual upheavals of the Victorian age. Much of this turmoil is embodied in the character of Eustacia Vye, the novel's wild and wilful female protagonist. A complex, independent young woman, Eustacia is a sympathetic but ultimately tragic figure, the epitome of what the narrator calls the irrepressible New. The appendices to this Broadview edition place the novel in the context of Hardy's career and the scientific and social ideas of the time; documents include contemporary reviews, related writings by Hardy, and materials on biology, geology, and the Woman Question. Illustrations from the original serialisation in Belgravia magazine are also included.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
When the starving Durbeyfields from the small village of Marlott discover a connection to the wealthy D'Urbervilles, they send their beautiful daughter Tess to the D'Urberville mansion to claim kinship and restore their fortunes with a lucrative match. But can she convince her handsome 'cousin' Alec to help her? Or will their romance ultimately prove her downfall? With a beautiful cover by David Dean.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
When the starving Durbeyfields from the small village of Marlott discover a connection to the wealthy D'Urbervilles, they send their beautiful daughter Tess to the D'Urberville mansion to claim kinship and restore their fortunes with a lucrative match. But can she convince her handsome 'cousin' Alec to help her? Or will their romance ultimately prove her downfall?With a beautiful cover by David Dean.
Desperate Remedies
Thomas Hardy's first published novel, Desperate Remedies is a thrilling blend of Gothic mystery and love-triangle romance. After the untimely death of their parents, Cytheria and Owen Graye must go out into the world and fend for themselves. Cytheria's journey leads her to the dark and mysterious household of Miss Aldclyffe, a capricious and eccentric woman, who steers Cytheria into a love affair with her charismatic steward Aeneous Manston. All is not what it seems, and Cytheria finds herself entangled in a violent web of lust, murder, deception and blackmail. With its beautiful and evocative scenes, along with themes of fate and class, the novel contains many traces of Hardy's signature style, and is a unique take on the Victorian `sensation' novel.
Jude the Obscure (with an Introduction by Morton Dauwen Zabel)
Thomas Hardy's final novel "e;Jude the Obscure"e; began as a serial publication on December 1894 before being published in book form the following year. It is the story of its titular character Jude Fawley, a young lower-class man with dreams of being a scholar, and his relationships with his wife, Arabella, and his free-spirited cousin, Sue Bridehead. The novel follows the life of Jude from his youth living in a village in southern England where he works in a bakery and studies Classical Greek and Latin in his spare time with hopes of one day becoming a scholar at Christminster, a fictional city modeled after Oxford. His dreams are dashed however when he becomes ensnared by deceit into marriage with Arabella Donn, a coarse and superficial girl. What follows is a classic and tragic tale that plays upon many themes, principally of which is the idea that one's ruinous downfall is the product of having lived a sinful life. Having been harshly criticized in its day for its scandalous portrayals, "e;Jude the Obscure"e; has since been recognized as one of Hardy's finest and most intricate works. This edition includes an introduction by Morton Dauwen Zabel and a biographical afterword.
Wessex Poems and Other Verses
A collectible new Penguin Classics series: stunning, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets, which present each poet's most famous book of verse as it was originally published. Designed by the acclaimed Coralie Bickford-Smith and beautifully set, these slim, A format volumes are the ultimate gift editions for poetry lovers. Wessex Poems was Hardy's first collection of poetry, published after he had turned away from novel writing, disillusioned by the savage reception Jude the Obscure had received. Its publication marked the start of an extraordinary new phase in Hardy's writing career: for the rest of his long life, he would write only poetry. Here are sprightly Dorset ballads, verses set during the Napoleonic Wars, and personal poems reflecting on Hardy's life and loves. Composed throughout Hardy's life and animated by his affection for his beloved Wessex, their publication in 1898 heralded the arrival of a major new poetic voice.
Far From the Madding Crowd
Bathsheba Everdene is a headstrong young woman who attracts the attentions of a succession of ill-matched suitors: a quiet sheep farmer, a handsome soldier and an older, wealthy landowner. As the men vie for her affections, she struggles to retain her independence of spirit in the face of their declarations. Introducing readers to the fictional county of Wessex, Thomas Hardy's fourth work of fiction was one of his greatest triumphs, both commercially and critically. Its tale of passion, jealousy and unrequited love is now regarded as one of the finest novels of the nineteenth century, and one of the greatest love stories of all time.
Poems of Thomas Hardy A New Selection
Thomas Hardy saw himself, first and foremost, as a poet, and he wrote poetry throughout his prolific and acclaimed novel-writing years before announcing in 1896 that he would no longer write novels, much to the astonishment of his worldwide readership. Instead he went on to publish eight masterful volumes of poetry - ranging from lyrics and ballads to dramatic monologues and satire - and is now regarded as one of the greatest twentieth-century poets. Choosing the best verse from each volume, the Poems of Thomas Hardy is the perfect introduction to Hardy's lyrical, soul-searching and profoundly sincere poetry, covering subjects ranging from his grief at the death of his first wife to his experiences of war. This beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition is edited and introduced by editor Ned Halley. Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.
Woodlanders
Before Grace Melbury went away to school, she was in love with Giles Winterborne, a simple woodsman in the forests of Blackmoore Vale. But Grace's schooling has given her a taste for refinement, and upon her return she finds herself drawn to a dashing newcomer, Dr. Edred Fitzpiers. This romantic triangle is the focus of Thomas Hardy's novel of betrayal, disillusionment, and moral compromise. The story unfolds in a lavishly evoked landscape that becomes as central to the plot as any of the characters. In this tale, which Hardy regarded as his best story, the great Victorian novelist returns to his fictional setting of Wessex to explore a characteristic subject: sexual relationships in an unsophisticated society. He also addresses issues directly affecting rural England during the early nineteenth century, when traditional societies underwent pressure from a changing world. A splendid introduction to the physical and psychological world of Wessex, The Woodlanders is also an intriguing forerunner of Hardy's later masterpieces.
Late Lyrics and Earlier
This is strong collection of verse from British author Thomas Hardy, who also wrote a series of well-known novels such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd. Critics point to Hardy's significance as a beacon voicing the anxieties of the transition from the nineteenth to the twentieth century.
Late Lyrics and Earlier
This is strong collection of verse from British author Thomas Hardy, who also wrote a series of well-known novels such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd. Critics point to Hardy's significance as a beacon voicing the anxieties of the transition from the nineteenth to the twentieth century.
Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses
This delightful collection of verse from Thomas Hardy, a poet and novelist who penned the books Far From the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure, highlights a master at the height of his powers. Topics broached include nostalgic looks back at childhood, profound and nuanced poems of love, and even a few poems that address scientific discoveries of the day, including Einstein's theories.
Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses
This delightful collection of verse from Thomas Hardy, a poet and novelist who penned the books Far From the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure, highlights a master at the height of his powers. Topics broached include nostalgic looks back at childhood, profound and nuanced poems of love, and even a few poems that address scientific discoveries of the day, including Einstein's theories.
Time's Laughingstocks and Other Verses
One of Hardy's more critically acclaimed collections of verses, Time's Laughingstocks focuses on lyrical explorations of love, death, and the inevitable overlap between the two. The collection also contains a number of poems in which historical characters offer dramatic monologues, including a Roman soldier who feels a special kinship with Jesus.
Time's Laughingstocks and Other Verses
One of Hardy's more critically acclaimed collections of verses, Time's Laughingstocks focuses on lyrical explorations of love, death, and the inevitable overlap between the two. The collection also contains a number of poems in which historical characters offer dramatic monologues, including a Roman soldier who feels a special kinship with Jesus.
Wessex Poems and Other Verses
Many of Thomas Hardy's best-known works of fiction were set in the Dorset region, which he called "e;Wessex."e; 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.
Wessex Poems and Other Verses
Many of Thomas Hardy's best-known works of fiction were set in the Dorset region, which he called "e;Wessex."e; 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.
The Trumpet-Major
War threatens the rich, green fields of Wessex in Hardy's historical novel, The Trumpet-Major. The Napoleonic Wars are at their height, and upheaval and uncertainty plague British soil. In the midst of it all the impoverished beauty Anne Garland finds herself at the centre of a love quadrangle. She is torn between the persistent and annoying Festus Derryman, her womanising childhood sweetheart Bob Loveday, and the reliable and thoughtful John Loveday, the eponymous Trumpet-Major. Who will she choose? Hardy's eighth published novel is a gentle and humorous tale about the confusion and conflict of life.
Trumpet-Major
The Trumpet-Major is a novel by Thomas Hardy published in 1880, and his only historical novel. It concerns the heroine, Anne Garland, being pursued by three suitors: John Loveday, the eponymous trumpet major in a British regiment, honest and loyal; his brother Bob, a flighty sailor; and Festus Derriman, the cowardly nephew of the local squire. Unusually for a Hardy novel, the ending is not entirely tragic; however, there remains an ominous element in the probable fate of one of the main characters. (Excerpt from Google)
Dynasts
"e;The Dynasts"e; is an English-language drama in verse by Thomas Hardy. Hardy himself described this work as "e;an epic-drama of the war with Napoleon, in three parts, nineteen acts and one hundred and thirty scenes"e;. Not counting the Forescene and the Afterscene, the exact total number of scenes is 131. The three parts were published in 1904, 1906 and 1908. Because of the ambition and scale of the work, Hardy acknowledged that The Dynasts was not a work that could be conventionally staged in the theatre, and described the work as "e;the longest English drama in existence"e;. Scholars have noted that Hardy remembered war stories of the veterans of the Napoleonic wars in his youth, and used them as partial inspiration for writing The Dynasts many years later in his own old age. In addition, Hardy was a distant relative of Captain Thomas Hardy, who had served with Admiral Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar. Hardy consulted a number of histories and also visited Waterloo, Belgium, as part of his research. George Orwell wrote that Hardy had "e;set free his genius"e; by writing this drama and thought its main appeal was "e;in the grandiose and rather evil vision of armies marching and counter-marching through the mists, and men dying by hundreds of thousands in the Russian snows, and all for absolutely nothing."e; (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Thomas Hardy's most beloved novel tells the story of Tess Durbeyfield, a low-born country girl whose family discovers they are descended from nobility. Betrayed time and again, Tess is one of the most striking and tragic of all literary heroines.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Return of the Native
Eustacia Vye dreams of escaping Egdon Heath with Clym Yeobright, recently returned from Paris. He being unable to fulfill her expectations, Eustacia soon draws others into a web of deceit.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Jude the Obscure
Jude Fawley's dream of going to university is dashed when he is forced into marriage with a woman who quickly abandons him. He later falls in love with his cousin, Sue Bridehead, and the two decide to live together rather than marry for form's sake. They are shunned by society and soon face destitution. Completed in 1895, Hardy's final novel was controversial for its bold take on sexual relationships.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Mayor of Casterbridge
At a country fair near Casterbridge, Wessex, Michael Henchard, drunk on rum, sells his wife and baby daughter to the highest bidder. So begins Henchard's quest to lead a dignified -- and sober -- life. Years later his past catches up to him in the most unexpected of ways. A brilliant character study, Hardy's novel was memorably adapted for film in 2003 -- starring Ciaran Hinds.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Far From the Madding Crowd
A big screen adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd, starring Carey Mulligan, was released in 2015. Bathsheba Everdene navigates the attentions of three very different suitors. Thomas Hardy's first literary success is a must read.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Wessex Tales
First appearing in 1888, Wessex Tales is a collection of short stories by the supremely gifted Thomas Hardy. The perfect way to get acquainted with Hardy's world. Several of the tales were adapted for television in a 1973 BBC mini series starring, among others, John Hurt, Billie Whitlelaw, and Ben Kingsley.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Oxford Bookworms Library: Level 6:: Tess of the d'Urbervilles
The most consistent of all series in terms of language control, length, and quality of story. David R. Hill, Director of the Edinburgh Project on Extensive Reading.
Thomas Hardy
A selection of the writer's greatest nature poetry, selected by Tom Paulin, published in a beautiful new edition by Faber. At once a voice arose among The bleak twigs overhead In a full-hearted evensong Of joy illimited; An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small, In blast-beruffled plume, Had chosen thus to fling his soul Upon the growing gloom . . . -The Darkling Thrush
Wessex Tales
Ironic short stories"e;Stockdale, a lonely young fellow, who had for weeks felt a great craving for somebody on whom to throw away superfluous interest, and even tenderness, was not sorry to join her...."e;- Thomas Hardy, Wessex TalesA collection of six novellas, written in the 1880s and 1890s, about the true nature of nineteenth century marriage and its inherent restrictions. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes.
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.
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.
Jude the Obscure (Diversion Classics)
Featuring an appendix of discussion questions, this Diversion Classics edition is ideal for use in book groups and classrooms.A penniless orphan with dreams of becoming a scholar, Jude Fawley is instead thrust into a life of hard labor.Forced to abandon his passion and working as a mason in the shadow of the University he wishes to attend, he meets his true love, his cousin, Sue Bridehead. Trapped between their feelings for one another and a society that condemns the relationship, Jude and Sue's hopes are painfully snuffed out. Thomas Hardy's final complete novel is an unflinching look at a life choked by the strict morals of an oppressive age and a must-read take on the human condition.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles (Diversion Classics)
Featuring an appendix of discussion questions, this Diversion Classics edition is ideal for use in book groups and classrooms.Controversial when it was first published, TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES now sits in the canon as one of the great nineteenth-century novels. Driven by overwhelming guilt and her family's poverty, Tess Durbeyfield claims shaky kinship with the wealthy D'Urberville family, hoping to procure a portion of their fortune. She encounters Alec D'Urberville, and is mortified to find herself the victim of her cousin's relentless pursuit. When the kind and loving farmer Angel Clare enters her life, Tess is torn between a peaceful future with a loving husband and facing the truth of her past.
Woodlanders
To Be or Not to Be Worthy of One's Love"e;On older trees still than these huge lobes of fungi grew like lungs. Here, as everywhere, the Unfulfilled Intention, which makes life what it is, was as obvious as it could be among the depraved crowds of a city slum. The leaf was deformed....the taper was interrupted..and the ivy slowly strangled to death the promising sapling."e; - Thomas Hardy, The WoodlandersAfter spending several years away from home to study, Grace Melbury returns to Little Hintock only to find Giles, his betrothed, still in love with her. Her father thinks Giles - a humble peasant - isn't worthy of marrying his highly-educated daughter and persuades her to marry a young doctor by the name of Edgar Fitzpiers. Edgar is not quite the loyal type though... This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes.
Two on a Tower
Science Fiction Romance"e;I think astronomy is a bad study for you. It makes you feel human insignificance too plainly."e;- Thomas Hardy, Two on a TowerA book about the forbidden love between a 20 year old astronomer, Swithin, and Viviette, the much older woman of 29. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Bound by tradition and circumstance, an innocent young woman makes a fateful choice, in this heartrending novel from the author of Far from the Madding Crowd Convinced that his impoverished family has noble connections, John Durbeyfield implores his daughter, Tess, to visit the wealthy Mrs. D'Urberville and claim kin. Reluctantly, Tess agrees, but when she falls prey to the manipulations of Alec D'Urberville, the widow's dissolute son, her search for love and happiness takes a disastrous turn. An earnest suitor named Angel Clare offers hope for salvation, but Tess must decide whether to confess her sins to the minister's sonor bury them forever. First published in 1891, Tess of the D'Urbervilles scandalized Victorian readers with its frank depictions of female sexuality and its impassioned criticism of social conventions. Now widely recognized as Thomas Hardy's masterpiece, this tragic story of virtue destroyed is one of the most moving and unforgettable novels in English literature. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Return of the Native
The fates of two ill-matched couples intertwine in this poignant masterpiece from one of England's greatest novelists Eustacia Vye is as wild and beautiful as the landscape that surrounds her grandfather's house on Egdon Heath. Dark-haired, tempestuous, and haughty, she yearns to escape her rural corner of England, and believes that by marrying Clym Yeobright, a native of the heath just returned from Paris, she will find the romance and adventure her heart craves. But Clym's interests run in the opposite directiontoward comfort, community, and traditionand the young couple's happy union soon turns miserable. When a former suitor pays a fateful visit, Eustacia must decide whether to break her vows to Clym or forego her exotic dreams forever. One of Thomas Hardy's most beloved novels, The Return of the Native brilliantly evokes the dangerous allure of romantic fantasies. Rich in mythological allusions yet grounded in the hard realities of nineteenth-century village life, it is one of the most heartbreaking tragedies ever told. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Mayor of Casterbridge
A captivating story of love and regret from the author of Tess of the D'Urbervilles and The Return of the Native Young farm worker Michael Henchard arrives in Casterbridge, Wessex, with his wife and child, looking for a job. Instead, he finds rum. At the town fair, Henchard quarrels with his wife and drunkenly auctions her and his daughter to the assembled crowd. He sells his family to a sailor for five guineas, a monstrous crime that marks him for a lifetime of guilt and pain. The next morning, Henchard swears off drink. Eighteen years later, he is the wealthyand sobermayor of Casterbridge, his terrible secret buried deep in the past. But when Henchard falls in love with a young woman on a trip to the island of Jersey, his inability to marry her threatens to destroy her reputation. The sudden return of his wife and daughter presents Henchard with a chance to finally make things rightor doom himself forever. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Oxford Playscripts: Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Tess Durbeyfield seems destined for a simple life. The daughter of simple people, in a simple town, she knows her place and is content. That is until her life changes when her drunken father discovers he is a member of an ancient aristocratic family, the d'Urbervilles. After an accident where the family's horse is killed, Tess's mother sends her to seek help from their wealthy 'relations', but will the acquaintance be a help, or send Tess and her family into further trouble and ruin?
The Withered Arm
'She bared her poor curst arm' A jealous lover's curse and an ingenious party trick feature in these two suspenseful stories set in Hardy's imaginary Wessex. One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.
Jude the Obscure
Thomas Hardy, (2 June 1840 - 11 January 1928) was an English novelist and poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot, he was influenced both in his novels and in his poetry by Romanticism, especially William Wordsworth. Charles Dickens was another important influence. Like Dickens, he was highly critical of much in Victorian society, though Hardy focused more on a declining rural society. "e;Jude the Obscure"e;, the last completed of Thomas Hardy's novels, began as a magazine serial in December 1894 and was first published in book form in 1895. Its protagonist, Jude Fawley, is a working-class young man, a stonemason, who dreams of becoming a scholar. The other main character is his cousin, Sue Bridehead, who is also his central love interest. The novel is concerned in particular with issues of class, education, religion and marriage.(Excerpt from Wikipedia)
Tess
The novel is set in impoverished rural Wessex during the Long Depression. Tess is the oldest child of John and Joan Durbeyfield, uneducated rural peasants; however, John is given the impression by Parson Tringham that he may have noble blood, since "e;Durbeyfield"e; is a corruption of "e;D'Urberville"e;, the surname of a noble Norman family, now extinct. The news immediately goes to John's head. That same day, Tess participates in the village May Dance, where she meets Angel Clare, youngest son of Reverend James Clare, who is on a walking tour with his two brothers. He stops to join the dance, and partners several other girls. Angel notices Tess too late to dance with her, as he is already late for a promised meeting with his brothers. Tess feels slighted. Tess's father gets too drunk to drive to market that night, so Tess undertakes the journey herself. However, she falls asleep at the reins, and the family's only horse encounters a speeding wagon and is fatally wounded. The blood spreads over her white dress, a symbol of forthcoming events. Tess feels so guilty over the horse's death that she agrees, against her better judgement, to visit Mrs d'Urberville, a wealthy widow who lives in the nearby town of Trantridge, and "e;claim kin"e;, unaware that in reality, Mrs d'Urberville's husband, Simon Stoke, purchased the baronial title and adopted the surname though unrelated to the real d'Urbervilles. Tess does not succeed in meeting Mrs. d'Urberville, but chances to meet her libertine son, Alec, who takes a fancy to Tess and secures her a position as poultry keeper on the estate. Tess dislikes Alec, but endures his persistent unwanted attention to earn enough to replace her family's horse. The threat that Alec presents to Tess's virtue is obscured for Tess by her inexperience and almost daily commonplace interactions with him. He calls her "e;coz"e; (cousin), indicating a male protector, but, late one night, walking home from town with some other Trantridge villagers, Tess inadvertently antagonises Car Darch, Alec's most recently discarded favourite, and finds herself in physical danger. When Alec rides up and offers to "e;rescue"e; her from the situation, she accepts. Instead of taking her home, he rides through the fog until they reach an ancient grove called "e;The Chase"e;, where he informs her that he is lost and leaves on foot to get his bearings. Tess stays behind and falls asleep on a coat he lent her. Alec returns and rapes her. The rape is also alluded to in another chapter, with reference to the "e;sobbing [heard] in The Chase"e; during the season Tess was at Trantridge, and Alec is later referred to as "e;the seducer"e;. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
Far from the Madding Crowd
Gabriel Oak is a young shepherd. With the savings of a frugal life, and a loan, he has leased and stocked a sheep-farm. He falls in love with a newcomer eight years his junior, Bathsheba Everdene, a proud beauty who arrives to live with her aunt, Mrs. Hurst. She comes to like him well enough, and even saves his life once, but when he makes her an unadorned offer of marriage, she refuses; she values her independence too much and him too little. Gabriel's blunt protestations only serve to drive her to haughtiness. After a few days, she moves to Weatherbury, a village some miles off. When next they meet, their circumstances have changed drastically. An inexperienced new sheep dog drives Gabriel's flock over a cliff, ruining him. After selling off everything of value, he manages to settle all his debts, but emerges penniless. He seeks employment at a work fair in the town of Casterbridge, (a fictionalised version of Dochester). When he finds none, he heads to another fair in Shottsford, a town about ten miles from Weatherbury. On the way, he happens upon a dangerous fire on a farm and leads the bystanders in putting it out. When the veiled owner comes to thank him, he asks if she needs a shepherd. She uncovers her face and reveals herself to be none other than Bathsheba. She has recently inherited the estate of her uncle and is now a wealthy woman. Though somewhat uncomfortable, she hires him. Meanwhile, Bathsheba has a new admirer: the lonely and repressed William Boldwood. Boldwood is a prosperous farmer of about forty whose ardour Bathsheba unwittingly awakens when - her curiosity piqued because he has never bestowed on her the customary admiring glance - she playfully sends him a valentine sealed with red wax on which she has embossed the words "e;Marry me"e;. Boldwood, not realising the valentine was a jest, becomes obsessed with Bathsheba, and soon proposes marriage. Although she does not love him, she toys with the idea of accepting his offer; he is, after all, the most eligible bachelor in the district. However, she postpones giving him a definite answer. When Gabriel rebukes her for her thoughtlessness, she fires him. When her sheep begin dying from bloat, she discovers to her chagrin that Gabriel is the only man who knows how to cure them. Her pride delays the inevitable, but finally she is forced to beg him for help. Afterwards, she offers him back his job and their friendship is restored... (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
Tess of the D'Ubervilles
A bitter evisceration of Victorian morality and rural English life. Tess Durbeyfield is a peasant girl whose life is changed when it is suggested that her family might have some times to the aristocratic D'Urbervilles. Her earnest efforts to earn enough money to replace her family's dead horse go awry when she crosses paths with the libertine Alec D'Urberville. He rapes her, leading to the birth of a child, and despite the child's short life, the events turn Tess into a martyr. She is forced to confront the strict Victorian society's looking down upon her and her love for the earnest yet nave Angel Clare while she tries to carve out a little slice of happiness for herself. Tess of the D'Urbervilles has been filmed multiple times, including by the BBC as a miniseries staring Gemma Aterton, Hans Matheson, and Eddie Redmayne.Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Mayor of Casterbridge
At a country fair near Casterbridge, Wessex, Michael Henchard, drunk on rum, sells his wife and baby daughter to the highest bidder. So begins Henchard's quest to lead a dignified -- and sober -- life. Years later his past catches up to him in the most unexpected of ways. A brilliant character study, Hardy's novel was memorably adapted for film in 2003 -- starring Ciaran Hinds.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Jude the Obscure
Jude Fawley's dream of going to university is dashed when he is forced into marriage with a woman who quickly abandons him. He later falls in love with his cousin, Sue Bridehead, and the two decide to live together rather than marry for form's sake. They are shunned by society and soon face destitution. Completed in 1895, Hardy's final novel was controversial for its bold take on sexual relationships.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Return of the Native
Eustacia Vye dreams of escaping Egdon Heath with Clym Yeobright, recently returned from Paris. He being unable to fulfill her expectations, Eustacia soon draws others into a web of deceit.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Thomas Hardy's most beloved novel tells the story of Tess Durbeyfield, a low-born country girl whose family discovers they are descended from nobility. Betrayed time and again, Tess is one of the most striking and tragic of all literary heroines.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Far From the Madding Crowd
A big screen adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd, starring Carey Mulligan, was released in 2015. Bathsheba Everdene navigates the attentions of three very different suitors. Thomas Hardy's first literary success is a must read.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Wessex Tales
First appearing in 1888, Wessex Tales is a collection of short stories by the supremely gifted Thomas Hardy. The perfect way to get acquainted with Hardy's world. Several of the tales were adapted for television in a 1973 BBC mini series starring, among others, John Hurt, Billie Whitlelaw, and Ben Kingsley.Sayre Street Books offers the world's greatest literature in easy to navigate, beautifully designed digital editions.
Jude the Obscure
The text of the novel is again based on Hardy's final revision for the 1912 Wessex Edition. The Norton Critical Edition includes: expanded footnotes, further drawing out Hardy's web of allusions and comprehensively indicating the material culture in which he embeds this narrative; a selection of Hardy's poems-four of them new to this edition-that emphasises the biographical contexts from which parts of Jude the Obscure arose; nineteen critical responses, including twelve modern essays-eight of them new to the third edition. Simon Gatrell, Michael Hollington, Elaine Showalter, Victor Luftig and Mary Jacobus are among the new voices. Included are a chronology, and revised and expanded selected bibliography.
Selected Poems
Widely known as the author of such classic novels as The Return of the Native and Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) was also a great poet. His lyricism, subtlety, depth, and variety have earned him a significant place in the ranks of modern English poets.This modestly priced volume contains seventy of Hardy's finest poems, including "e;The Darkling Thrush,"e; "e;Hap,"e; "e;The Ruined Maid,"e; "e;The Convergence of the Twain,"e; "e;I Look Into My Glass,"e; "e;Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?"e; and many others. These remarkable poems offer ample evidence of Hardy's intense perception and his peculiar power to express deep emotion. They also reflect his distinctive style, which fuses a reliance on traditional stanza formats and rhyme with a unique diction and imaginative power.
Tess of the d'Ubervilles
After an accident, Tess Durbeyfield, the daughter of impoverished peasants, decides to call on the aristocratic d'Urbervilles, as she believes that she is also descended from their ancient Norman lineage and that they can rescue her family from indigence. Unfortunately she is taken under the wing of the immoral libertine scion Alec d'Urberville, who seduces and scorns her. While she attempts to rebuild her life, she falls in love with the virtuous farmer Angel Clare and must find a way to defeat the demons of her past. Controversial when it was first published for challenging Victorian morals, Tess of the d'Urbervilles has become Thomas Hardy's most popular novel, catching the imaginations of generations of readers with its high drama, endearing heroine and powerful evocations of the southern English countryside.
Delphi Complete Works of Thomas Hardy (Illustrated)
One of the few authors to distinguish himself with equal merit in poetry and novel writing, Thomas Hardy remains one of English literature's leading figures. For the first time in publishing history, this comprehensive eBook presents Hardy's complete works, with scarce texts, numerous illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 8)Features:* illustrated with countless images relating to Hardy and his works* annotated with concise introductions to the novels and other texts* each novel has its own contents table - easily navigate between chapters!* information on the lost first novel 'THE POOR MAN AND THE LADY', with a rare novella and poem tracing its content* ALL of the short stories with BOTH chronological and alphabetical contents tables* the compete verse dramas- even including the rare "e;Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall"e; available nowhere else as a digital book* ALL of the poems with their own separate chronological and alphabetical contents tables - find that special poem easily and quickly!* the poems are ALSO presented in their original collections, each with its own table* scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres* special Hardy's Wessex Map to accompany your reading of the novels* includes a special criticism section, with 6 different texts from other authors and critics, examining Hardy's literary work in detail* D. H. Lawrence's lengthy critical book A STUDY OF THOMAS HARDY* Hardy's wife's TWO biographies - explore the great writer's life in detail - available nowhere else* UPDATED with newly formatted texts, introductions, corrections and many more imagesPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titlesThe NovelsTHE POOR MAN AND THE LADYAN INDISCRETION IN THE LIFE OF AN HEIRESSDESPERATE REMEDIESUNDER THE GREENWOOD TREEA PAIR OF BLUE EYESFAR FROM THE MADDING CROWDTHE HAND OF ETHELBERTATHE RETURN OF THE NATIVETHE TRUMPET-MAJORA LAODICEANTWO ON A TOWERTHE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGETHE WOODLANDERSTESS OF THE D'URBERVILLESTHE WELL-BELOVEDJUDE THE OBSCUREThe Short Story CollectionsWESSEX TALESLIFE'S LITTLE IRONIESA GROUP OF NOBLE DAMESThe Short StoriesCHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF HARDY'S SHORT STORIESALPHABETICAL LIST OF HARDY'S SHORT STORIESThe Verse DramasTHE DYNASTSTRAGEDY OF THE QUEEN OF CORNWALLThe Poetry CollectionsWESSEX POEMS AND OTHER VERSESPOEMS OF THE PAST AND THE PRESENTTIME'S LAUGHINGSTOCKS AND OTHER VERSESSATIRES OF CIRCUMSTANCEMOMENTS OF VISION AND MISCELLANEOUS VERSESLATE LYRICS AND EARLIER WITH MANY OTHER VERSESHUMAN SHOWS FAR PHANTASIES SONGS, AND TRIFLESWINTER WORDS IN VARIOUS MOODS AND METRESThe PoemsLIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDERLIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDERThe CriticismA STUDY OF THOMAS HARDY by D.H. LawrenceTHOMAS HARDY by Leon H. VincentTHE LYRICAL POETRY OF THOMAS HARDY by Edmund GosseUNDER FRENCH ENCOURAGEMENT by David Christie MurrayTHOMAS HARDY by John Cowper PowysA NOTE ON THE GENIUS OF THOMAS HARDY by Arthur SymonsThe BiographiesTHE EARLY LIFE OF THOMAS HARDY, 1841-1891 by Florence HardyTHE LATER YEARS OF THOMAS HARDY, 1892-1928 by Florence HardyHardy's Wessex MapPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles
Woodlanders
Giles Winterborne is left to pine for his beloved, Grace Medbury, when her father disapproves of the match between Grace and Giles
Two on a Tower
Two on a Tower was written in the year 1882 by Thomas Hardy. This book is one of the most popular novels of Thomas Hardy, and has been translated into several other languages around the world.This book is published by Booklassic which brings young readers closer to classic literature globally.
Three Strangers
The Three Strangers was written in the year 1883 by Thomas Hardy. This book is one of the most popular novels of Thomas Hardy, and has been translated into several other languages around the world.This book is published by Booklassic which brings young readers closer to classic literature globally.
Group of Noble Dames
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Jude The Obscure
Hardy's masterpiece traces a poor stonemason's ill-fated romance with his free-spirited cousin. No Victorian institution is spared - marriage, religion, education - and the outrage following publication led the embittered author to renounce fiction. Modern critics hail this novel as a pioneering work of feminism and socialist thought.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd was the first of Hardy's novels to apply the name of Wessex to the landscape of south-west England, and the first to gain him widespread popularity as a novelist. When the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba Everdene inherits her own farm, she attracts three very different suitors; the seemingly commonplace man-of-the-soil Gabriel Oak, the dashing young soldier Francis Troy, and the respectable, middle-aged Farmer Boldwood. Her choice, and the tragedy it provokes, lie at the centre of Hardy's ambivalent story.
Trumpet-Major
Hardy distrusted the application of nineteenth-century empiricism to history because he felt it marginalized important human elements. In The Trumpet Major, the tale of a woman courted by three competing suitors during the Napoleonic wars, he explores the subversive effects of ordinary human desire and conflicting loyalties on systematized versions of history.
Pair of Blue Eyes
Elfride finds herself caught in a battle between her heart, her mind and the expectations of her parents and society. The novel is notable for the strong parallels to Hardy and his first wife Emma Gifford. When Elfride's father finds that his guest and candidate for his daughter's hand, architect's assistant Stephen Smith, is the son of a mason, he immediately orders him to leave. This was the third of Hardy's novels to be published and the first to bear his name.
Laodicean: a Story of To-day
A vacillating young woman is thrust onto the horns of religious and romantic dilemmas.
Hand of Ethelberta
At the beginning of the book, we are told that Ethelberta was raised in humble circumstances but, through her work as a governess, married well at the age of eighteen. Her husband died two weeks after the wedding and, now twenty-one, Ethelberta lives with her mother-in-law, Lady Petherwin. In the three years that have elapsed since the deaths of both her husband and father-in-law, Ethelberta has been treated to foreign travel and further privilege by her benefactress, but restricted from seeing her poor family.The events of the story concern Ethelberta's career as a famous poetess and storyteller as she struggles to support her family and conceal her secret -- that her father is a butler. Beautiful, clever, and rational, she easily attracts four very persistent suitors (Mr Julian, Mr Neigh, Mr Ladywell, and Lord Mountclere), but is reluctant to give her much-coveted hand.
Changed Man and Other Tales
A dozen minor novels that have been published in the periodical press collected together.
Woodlanders
The story takes place in a small woodland village called Little Hintock, and concerns the efforts of an honest woodsman, Giles Winterborne, to marry his childhood sweetheart, Grace Melbury. Although they have been informally betrothed for some time, her father has made financial sacrifices to give his adored only child a superior education and no longer considers Giles good enough for her. When the new doctor - a well-born and handsome young man named Edred Fitzpiers - takes an interest in Grace, her father does all he can to make Grace forget Giles, and to encourage what he sees as a brilliant match.
Desperate Remedies
Described by Hardy as a tale of "e;mystery, entanglement, surprise and moral obliquity"e;, his first published novel violated the literary decorum of its day with blackmail, murder, and romance. It relates the story of Cytherea, a maid to the eccentric arch-intriguer Miss Aldclyffe, and the man she loves, Edward Springrove. Upon discovering that Edward is already engaged, Cytherea comes under the influence of Miss Aldclyffe's fascinating, manipulative steward, Manston.
Under the Greenwood Tree
The plot concerns the activities of a group of church musicians, the Mellstock parish choir, one of whom, Dick Dewy, becomes romantically entangled with a comely new school mistress, Fancy Day. The novel opens with the fiddlers and singers of the choir--including Dick, his father Reuben Dewy, and grandfather William Dewy--making the rounds in Mellstock village on Christmas Eve. When little band plays at the schoolhouse, young Dick falls for Fancy at first sight. Dick, smitten, seeks to insinuate himself into her life and affections, but Fancy's beauty has gained her other suitors, including a rich farmer and the new vicar at the parish church.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Young Tess Durbeyfield attempts to restore her family's fortunes by claiming their connection with the aristocratic d'Urbervilles. But Alec d'Urberville is a rich wastrel who seduces her and makes her life miserable. When Tess meets Angel Clare, she is offered true love and happiness, but her past catches up with her and she faces an agonizing moral choice.Hardy's indictment of society's double standards, and his depiction of Tess as "e;a pure woman,"e; caused controversy in his day and has held the imagination of readers ever since. Hardy thought it his finest novel, and Tess the most deeply felt character he ever created.
Mayor of Casterbridge
A Story of a Man of Character "e;Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain."e; Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge In The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy, a drunken Michael Henchard auctions off his wife and baby daughter at a country fair. Regretting his rash action the next morning, Henchard vows sobriety and builds a life as a respected grain merchant and the Mayor of Casterbridge. When his past catches up with him 18 years later, Henchard's life is turned upside down. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.
Mayor of Casterbridge
The Mayor of Casterbridge opens with a shocking and haunting scene: In a drunken rage, Michael Henchard sells his wife and daughter to a visiting sailor at a local fair. When they return to Casterbridge some nineteen years later, Henchard-having gained power and success as the mayor-finds he cannot erase the past or the guilt that consumes him. The Mayor of Casterbridge is a rich, psychological novel about a man whose own flaws combine with fate to cause his ruin.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
The powerful and moving novel that shocked readers in 1891 "e;A strong woman who recklessly throws away her strength, she is worse than a weak woman who has never had any strength to throw away."e; Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles is heartbreakingly beautiful novel challenging the social mores of the Victorian Era. When Tess finds her family's fortunes have changed, she is forced to claim kinship with a wealthy family and seek part of their fortune. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.
Jude the Obscure
From the author of Far from the Madding Crowd comes one of the top 100 books of English Literature "e;People go on marrying because they can't resist natural forces, although many of them may know perfectly well that they are possibly buying a month's pleasure with a life's discomfort."e; Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure Jude the Obscure was Thomas Hardy's final novel telling the story of Jude Fawley, a stonemason, who takes on the world only to find that the world has no place for heroes. In this classic novel, Thomas Hardy criticizes Victorian society, marriage, classism and religious legalism. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes
Return of the Native
Eustacia Vye is drawn into life in rural Egdon Heath, where superstition and the supernatural rule over the lives of the local population.
Far from the Madding Crowd
'Every green was young, every pore was open, and every stalk was swollen with racing currents of juice'. This title comes with an introduction by Lucy Hughes-Hallett. Bathsheba Everdene arrives in the small village of Weatherbury and captures the heart of three very different men; Gabriel Oak, a quiet shepherd, the proud, obdurate Farmer Boldwood and dashing, unscrupulous Sergeant Troy. The battle for her affections will have dramatic, tragic and surprising consequences in this classic tale of love and misunderstanding.
Mayor of Casterbridge
Late one night at a local fair, Michael Henchard, blinded by alcohol and foolish bravado, trades away his wife and daughter to a visiting sailor. Nineteen years later the two women return to Casterbridge and the now-sober Michael, who has gained power and influence in his role as the mayor, must confront his past. As his life begins to collapse, Henchard realizes that it is his treatment of others has been his greatest downfall. Burdened by guilt and stripped of his status and money, Henchard succumbs once again to drink.The Mayor of Casterbridge, like Jude the Obscure and Far From the Maddening Crowd, is set in Hardys fictional county of Wessex. It is regarded as Hardys greatest Novel of Character and Environment. As in his other novels, Hardys characters struggle to console their passions with their social circumstances. A version of The Mayor of Casterbridge called The Claim, starring Sarah Polley, Wes Bentley and Milla Jovovich, was filmed in 2000 with the setting changed to the prospecting northwest of the nineteenth century.HarperPerennialClassics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
When Tess Durbeyfield, the daughter of a poor villager, learns that she might be a descendant of the ancient DUrberville family, her family pressures her to claim kinship in order to seek a portion of the fortune. But when her meeting with young Alec DUrberville does not go as planned, she returns home a ruined woman. A kinder man, Angel Clare, seems to offer Tess a more stable lifebut she must choose whether to reveal her past to him and risk losing everything, or stay quiet and live a lie. Set in the rural town of Wessex, Tess of the DUrbervilles examines the impact of Victorian hypocrisy and societal struggles on the rural classes.At once hopeful and tragic, Tess of the DUrbervilles remains a scathing indictment of the injustices of English social and class structure. First published serially in the British newspaper The Graphic, the novel went on to become one of Thomas Hardys most successful, ranking number 26 on the BBCs survey, The Big Read. It has been adapted countless times for stage and film.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Far From The Madding Crowd is a tale of loyalty, obsession and tragedy from a storytelling master. 2015 sees a major film release of probably Thomas Hardy's best novel, starring Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen and Tom Sturridge. The film version of Far from the Madding Crowd, is released in UK cinemas on Friday 1 May 2015. Click below to view the trailer.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Read the book that inspired the film Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy is a classic romance that is not to be missed. When a young shepherd falls in love, it takes many years for the woman of his dreams to recognize the man who has been by her side all along. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes
Far from the Madding Crowd
A tale of love and loss - the first of Thomas Hardy's novels to win him widespread recognition and popularity - reissued to accompany a major motion picture due for release in May 2015. The film version of Far from the Madding Crowd, is released in UK cinemas on Friday 1 May 2015. Click below to view the trailer.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles - A Pure Woman
Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman tells the tale of chance discovery by a young peasant woman that she is a descendant of the noble family of d'Urbervilles, a discovery that is to change the course of her life. Tess Durbeyfield leaves home on the first of her fateful journeys, and meets the ruthless Alec d'Urberville. Hardy's vehement story tells of hope, disappointment, rejection and enduring love. First appearing in a censored and serialised version, published by the British illustrated newspaper The Graphic in 1891. Now considered an important piece of English literature, the book received mixed reviews when first published, partly because it challenged the sexual taboos of Hardy's day. We are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography.
Woman Much Missed
'Woman much missed, how you call to me, call to me...' After the death of his wife Emma, a grief-stricken Hardy wrote some of the best verse of his career. Moving and evocative, it ranks among the greatest elegiac poetry in the language. Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions. Thomas Hardy (1840-1928). Hardy's works available in Penguin Classics are A Laodicean, A Pair of Blue Eyes, Desperate Remedies, Far from the Madding Crowd, Jude the Obscure, Selected Poems, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, The Distracted Preacher and Other Tales, The Fiddler of the Reels and Other Stories, The Hand of Ethelberta, The Mayor of Casterbridge, The Pursuit of the Well-beloved and The Well-beloved, The Return of the Native, The Trumpet-Major, The Withered Arm and Other Stories, The Woodlanders, Two on a Tower and Under the Greenwood Tree.
Jude the Obscure
Thomas Hardy's final novel: A passionate and tragic story of the follies of Victorian England's most rigid institutions: class, marriage, and higher education Growing up in southern England, Jude Fawley dreams of one day transcending his country life and becoming a scholar at Christminster's most prestigious college. It's the driving focus of his young life, leading him to rigorous study of classical Greek and Latin after spending long days working as a stonemason. But everything changes when Jude meets Arabella Donn, a calculating local girl who ensnares him in marriage. As his dreams of Christminster recede into the background, Jude finds himself trapped in one unhappy marriage while the woman her loves, his free-thinking cousin Sue Bridehead, is trapped in another. Though Jude and Sue are able to escape their first spouses, their new life together proves to be no simpler. With two young children born out of wedlock, Jude and Sue's unconventional relationship is burdened by the judgments of society. But it isn't until the unexpected arrival of Jude's first son, born of his troubled relationship with Arabella, that the accumulation of Jude's misfortunes reaches its final, shattering crescendo. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Jude l'obscur
Extrait : "e;Le maitre d'ecole quittait le village et chacun semblait attriste. Le meunier de Cresscombe lui avait prete son cheval et sa petite charrette a bache blanche pour transporter son mobilier a la ville ou il devait se rendre, environ a vingt milles de la. Un tel vehicule etait de dimensions suffisantes pour contenir les effets du magister qui s'en allait."e;
Places and Other Poems
Creator of the lightly fictionalized region of Wessex, where Reading features as Aldbrickham, Thomas Hardy is naturally considered one of England's most topographically sensitive authors. In this new collection of his poems, each selected for its relation to a specific locale, and finely illustrated by Sally Castle, Hardy's imagination appears most intensely engaged, as Peter Robinson's afterword explores, by interrelations of personal experience and the circumstances in which it happens to befall. So 'After a Romantic Day', one of the poems gathered here, proposes that, where human passions are involved, a 'bald steep cutting, rigid, rough, / And moon-lit, was enough / For poetry of place...' This latest offering from the classic poetry series of Reading's Two Rivers Press, renowned for the quality of its artistic, design, and editorial standards, promises delights to both eye and mind for all those new to his verse, as well as, of course, for Hardy lovers everywhere.
Selected Novels of Thomas Hardy
This special ebook edition includes four of Thomas Hardys best-known novels: Far From the Madding Crowd, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure.
Return Of The Native
The beautiful and exotic Eustacia Vye feels trapped by her life in Egdon Heath, an area occupied mostly by simple rural folk, where superstition and the supernatural have taken root. As she tries to escape her life of constraint and frustration, Eustacia finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into life in the heath.The Return of the Native was met with some conservative criticism at the time of its publication as the content and the anti-heroine Eustacia were quite controversial for that time. Despite this, The Return of the Native remains one of Thomas Hardys best-known and most popular works.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Under the Greenwood Tree
Under the Greenwood Tree is an affectionate and youthful portrait of a world Hardy knew well { village life in ![yen]Wessex!| { in which a romantic tale is set against changing circumstances.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles, a Pure Woman
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. "e;Tess of the d'Urbervilles, a Pure Woman"e; is a novel by Thomas Hardy. In the novel, Tess gets taken advantage of by Alec, and after bearing a child who quickly dies, she falls in love with Angel. Angel falls in love with Tess for her purity. After Angel becomes aware of Tess' secret will he be able to accept her for who she really is?
Return of the Native
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. "e;The Return of the Native"e; by Thomas Hardy is a tale set in Egdon Heath in the mid 1800s. A reddlemen, Mr. Wildeve is in love with Eustacia Vye but she is too busy trying to get the attention from Clym Yeobright who offers her the opportunity to escape.
Mayor of Casterbridge
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. "e;The Mayor of Casterbridge"e; by Thomas Hardy tells the tale of Michael Henchard who sells his wife and baby daughter for five guineas. He becomes a well respected man in Casterbridge but, behind this, he has a secret.
Pair of Blue Eyes
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. "e;A pair of Blue Eyes"e; by Thomas Hardy is a classic novel! It centers around Elfride Swancourt as she makes the choice between two men: a boyish architect and an older man, Henry Knight.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. "e;Far from the Madding Crowd"e; is a classic love story. Three suitors fall for the determined and independent, Bathsheba-- but who will she choose?
Trumpet-Major
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. "e;The Trumpet-Major"e; by Thomas Hardy is a classic 19th century novel that takes place during the Napoleonic wars. Three men: a trumpet player, seaman and the squire's nephew all love Anne-- but who will she choose?
Laodicean : a Story of To-day
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. In "e;A Laodicean : a Story of To-day"e; by Thomas Hardy, Paula Power inherits an ancient castle for her father. She has to decide between two men who fall in love with her: a young architect, George Somerset and Captain De Stacy.
Well-Beloved
Trajectory presents classics of world literature with 21st century features! Our original-text editions include the following visual enhancements to foster a deeper understanding of the work: Word Clouds at the start of each chapter highlight important words. Word, sentence, paragraph counts, and reading time help readers and teachers determine chapter complexity. Co-occurrence graphs depict character-to-character interactions as well character to place interactions. Sentiment indexes identify positive and negative trends in mood within each chapter. Frequency graphs help display the impact this book has had on popular culture since its original date of publication. Use Trajectory analytics to deepen comprehension, to provide a focus for discussions and writing assignments, and to engage new readers with some of the greatest stories ever told. "e;The Well-Beloved"e; by Thomas Harty is about a sculptor who is obsessed with finding the ideal woman and sculpting a flawless, naked Aphrodite.
Woodlanders
In the small village of Little Hintock, Giles Winterborne tries to win the hand of his long-time sweetheart, Grace Melbury. Unfortunately, Graces father disapproves of the match, and instead encourages his daughter to pursue her future elsewhere, leaving Giles to hope that his beloved one day returns to him.The Woodlanders was one of Thomas Hardys most popular novels, and Hardy himself cited it as his favorite of his many stories. It has been adapted several times for film, television and radio.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Under The Greenwood Tree
With not one but two secret engagements to contend with, schoolteacher Fancy Days attentions are split between Dick Dewey, a member of the church choir and string group, and Mr. Maybold, the new vicar, remarkable both for his patronage of Fancy and for his controversial decision to abolish the churchs musical string accompaniment.Under the Greenwood Tree is the first of Thomas Hardys pastoral Wessex novels, and has been adapted for the stage and screen, most recently in 2005 by Ashley Pharaoh, co-creator and writer of the BBC One series Life on Mars.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Far From the Madding Crowd
The novel that first brought Thomas Hardy real success, it is a love-letter to rural English life, unafraid to show both its hardships and its beauty. Bathsheba, the story's heroine, inherits the family farm at the start of the novel, and is forced to navigate both the challenges presented by her work and by the multiple men in her life neither easy for a woman at that time. In addition to being a classic of Victorian literature, it has been called an early feminist novel, thanks to the resilience, independence, and depth shown by Bathsheba, and for its negative depiction of the sufferings of women rendered powerless by law and custom. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
A poor peddler, John Durbeyfield learns he is related to an ancient noble family: the d'Urbervilles. To gain part of the fortune, he sends his eldest daughter, Tess, to the d'Urberville mansion. But the relationship is not as it seems, and she ends up working as a servant. The wealthy family's son, Alec d'Urberville, tries to seduce Tess and eventually rapes her. Left pregnant, Tess returns home to have the baby, but the baby dies. Later, Tess falls in love with a man named Angel. She keeps the painful secret until their wedding night, when she reveals the horror in her past. Will Angel stay with her? This unabridged version of Thomas Hardy's important novel challenges the Victorian notions of female purity and double standards. It was first published in 1891 in the UK.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
A poor peddler, John Durbeyfield learns he is related to an ancient noble family: the d'Urbervilles. To gain part of the fortune, he sends his eldest daughter, Tess, to the d'Urberville mansion. But the relationship is not as it seems, and she ends up working as a servant. The wealthy family's son, Alec d'Urberville, tries to seduce Tess and eventually rapes her. Left pregnant, Tess returns home to have the baby, but the baby dies. Later, Tess falls in love with a man named Angel. She keeps the painful secret until their wedding night, when she reveals the horror in her past. Will Angel stay with her? This unabridged version of Thomas Hardy's important novel challenges the Victorian notions of female purity and double standards. It was first published in 1891 in the UK.
Selected Works Of Thomas Hardy
The Selected Works of Thomas Hardy includes many of the esteemed authors best-known works: Far From the Madding Crowd, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure.Influenced by the Romantics, Hardys novels are deeply critical of the constraints of Victorian society, particularly those placed on women and the poor.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardy's classic tale of a woman brave enough to defy convention: Now a major motion picture starring Carey Mulligan Spirited, impulsive, and beautiful, Bathsheba Everdene arrives in Wessex to live with her aunt. She strikes up a friendship with a neighbor, Gabriel Oak, and even saves the young shepherd's life. But when he responds by asking for her hand in marriage, she refuses. She cannot sacrifice her independence for a man she does not love. Years later, misfortune has bankrupted Gabriel, while Bathsheba has inherited her uncle's estate and is now a wealthy woman. She hires Gabriel as a shepherd but is interested in William Boldwood, a prosperous farmer whose reticence inspires her to playfully send him a valentine. William, like Gabriel before him, quickly falls in love with Bathsheba and proposes. But it is the dashing Sergeant Francis Troy who finally wins her heart. Despite the warnings of her first two suitors, Bathsheba accepts his proposala decision that brings long-buried secrets to the fore and leaves everything for which she has fought so hard hanging in the balance. Published a century and a half ago,Far from the Madding Crowdwas Thomas Hardy's first major success and introduced the themes he would continue to explore for the rest of his life. A love story wrapped in the cloak of tragedy, it is widely considered to be one of the finest novels of the nineteenth century. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Return of the Native
One of Thomas Hardy's most powerful works, The Return of the Native centers famously on Egdon Heath, the wild, haunted Wessex moor that D. H. Lawrence called "e;the real stuff of tragedy."e; The heath's changing face mirrors the fortunes of the farmers, inn-keepers, sons, mothers, and lovers who populate the novel. The "e;native"e; is Clym Yeobright, who comes home from a cosmopolitan life in Paris. He; his cousin Thomasin; her fiance, Damon Wildeve; and the willful Eustacia Vye are the protagonists in a tale of doomed love, passion, alienation, and melancholy as Hardy brilliantly explores that theme so familiar throughout his fiction: the diabolical role of chance in determining the course of a life. As Alexander Theroux asserted, Hardy was committed to the deep expression of nature's ironic chaos and strange apathy, even hostility, toward man.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardy's fourth novel and first major literary success, Far from the Madding Crowd tells the story of Gabriel Oak, a young shepherd, and Bathsheba Everdene, a proud and beautiful young woman. Their paths cross several times throughout their lives, helping one another even as they are plagued by misunderstandings and misfortunes, including bad marriages, secrets, and loss. Though the novel contains violence and tragedy, its overall themes and mood are more optimistic than many of Hardy's later and darker novels.
Jude the Obscure
In Thomas Hardy's final novel, Jude the Obscure, Jude Fawley longs to change his life as a stonemason and become a scholar. He desperately wants to study at Christminster, a respected university which Hardy modelled on Oxford. Instead he finds himself in a bad marriage, judged by his peers and in love with another woman. Incredibly controversial upon its publication, the novel questions social institutions, particularly marriage and the Church. Hardy was judged harshly for the book's contentious themes, and never wrote fiction again after it was published.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
One of the English language's most enduring pieces of tragic fiction, Tess of the DUbervilles tells the story of a good-hearted girl who becomes the victim of circumstances and unjust social judgments. Like much of Hardy's work, the novel focuses partly on the declining rural society of the Victorian era, and also addresses class issues, as Tess' father's aspiration to transcend his class sets in motion a disastrous series of events.
The Woodlanders
HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics. Grace Melbury, the only daughter of a timber-merchant, arrives home in Little Hintock after an expensive education and her father looks to find a husband for her. There are two rivals for her hand: Giles Winterborne, a good-hearted yeoman and her childhood sweetheart, and Edred Fitzpiers, an ambitious young doctor of good family. Fitzpiers wins her, but the mismatch brings unhappiness not just to the young couple, but to a wider circle in the woodland community. `The Woodlanders' is one of Hardy's most powerful works and the one he liked best. With brooding sexual undertones, it addresses themes about which the author held strong views - the laws of divorce, the inequalities of society, and the uncertainty of land tenure.
Far From The Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardys first literary masterpiece, Far From the Madding Crowd is the story of free-spirited Bathsheba Everdene, whose bold independence attracts the attention of three suitors: the frugal shepherd Gabriel Oak, the lonely farmer William Boldwood, and the dashing young soldier Sergeant Francis Troy. Each man unsettles Bathshebas life in some way, complicating her ideas of courtship and passion, and threatening to upset her quiet community.Published in 1874, Far From the Madding Crowd is the first of Thomas Hardys novels to be set in fictional Wessex and with its rich descriptions of rural life and landscapes, the novel firmly established Hardy as a popular novelist. Far From the Madding Crowd ranked tenth on the Guardians list of greatest love stories of all time, and was adapted for film by the BBC in 2008.HarperPerennialClassics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Mayor of Casterbridge
The Mayor of Casterbridge tells the story of Michael Henchard, a young man who, in a moment of drunken rage, auctions off his wife and young daughter at a country fair. In his sober regret, he swears to abstain from alcohol for twenty-one years. He goes on to be successful, as the Mayor of the fictional town of Casterbridge, but he is disliked, still retaining the impulsive, violent temper that led to the loss of his family. His secrets and lies eventually ensnare him and his downfall allows for author Thomas Hardy's thematic exploration of responsibility, character, and the inevitable revelation of truth.
Hand Of Ethelberta
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West Country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with doctorates from many universities, and a knighthood, which he refused. The Hand Of Elthelberta shows why such praise and accolades were given.
Tess Of The d'Ubervilles
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West Country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with doctorates from many universities, and a knighthood, which he refused. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, wolud be a major work by any hand and shows why such praise and accolades were given.
Trumpet Major
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West Country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with doctorates from many universities, and a knighthood, which he refused. The Trumper Major shows why such praise and accolades were given.
Far From the Madding Crowd
Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community. The first of his works set in Wessex, Hardy's novel of swiftpassion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes, and with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships.
Thomas Hardy, The Poetry Of
The Poetry Of Thomas Hardy - An Introduction. Many giants of Literature originate from the shores of these emerald isles; Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, The Brontes and Austen to which most people would willingly add the name Thomas Hardy. Far From The Madding Crowd, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, The Mayor Of Casterbridge are but three of his literary masterpieces. But let us go further and add to his canon his Poems. Hardy himself thought he was a poet who wrote novels purely for the money. Indeed his poems were not published until he was in his fifties after his major novels were published and his reputation set. Today his poetry is more rightly regarded in its own right. Many of these poems are also available as an audiobook read for you by James Taylor, Gideon Wagner, Richard Mitchley, Tim Graham and Ghizela Rowe and available at iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores.
Halloween, A Theme In Verse
POEMS FOR HALLOWEEN - An Introduction. I should be whispering this because Halloween is almost upon us. A time of Witches, Ghouls and Hauntings and all kinds of scary things that come out the evening before All Saints Day to wreak.......... I'm glad you're listening so let us begin- Many of us remember that feeling from childhood when an adult or even our friends would tell us scary stories of things that go bump in the night. It was a time to scare and be scared and no matter how terrifying the stories were it was a good feeling punctuated by yelps and laughs. Halloween is now firmly established in the Calendar as a favourite; to go trick or treating and an excuse for kids everywhere to dress up in outlandish attire and collect vast quantities of sweets. Equally adults everywhere are prone to switch off the lights and pretend to be out! In our collection the poems show that words have been used to enthral and suggest dark mysterious forces beyond our control for quite some time. With authors of the ability of Keats, Poe, Byron, Sheehan & Shakespeare, to nourish these primeval fears the poems have an unsettling nature as all bad things should! Many of these poems are also available on our audiobook version at iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores.
Short Stories Of Thomas Hardy
The short story is often viewed as an inferior relation to the Novel. But it is an art in itself. To take a story and distil its essence into fewer pages while keeping character and plot rounded and driven is not an easy task. Many try and many fail. In this series we look at short stories from many of our most accomplished writers. Miniature masterpieces with a lot to say. In this volume we examine some of the short stories of Thomas Hardy. Many giants of Literature originate from the shores of these emerald isles; Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, The Brontes and Austen to which most people would willingly add the name Thomas Hardy. Far From The Madding Crowd, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, The Mayor Of Casterbridge are but three of his literary masterpieces. But let us add to this his short stories. They are often overlooked as being the poor, under-developed relative of a greater work. But from writers of the calibre of Hardy this is just not so. He picks stories and creates characters that drive, meld and create pages that in their numerically shorter length are in fact the perfect length. Many of these stories are also available as an audiobook from our sister company Word Of Mouth. Many samples are at our youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/PortablePoetry?feature=mhee The full volume can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon and other digital stores. They are read for you by Richard Mitchley
Pair Of Blue Eyes
A Pair of Blue Eyes is Thomas Hardy's third published novel. It is basically the story of a blue-eyed beauty, named Elfride Swancourt, who has to choose between her two suitors who come from completely different social backgrounds. Her heart is more attracted to Stephen Smith, a mason's son and a good-natured man with professional aspirations, yet her mind tells her that she has to choose Henry Knight, the older and richer gentleman who represents London society. Thus, in most of the narrative, Elfride is depicted as an innocent young woman who keeps on wavering between passion and reason. The novel is also believed to be partly autobiographical, drawing a parallel between Elfride and Hardy's own beloved and wife, Emma Gifford. Later in the novel, Elfride goes with Henry when her family learns about Stephen's humble origins and dismisses him. Generally, Hardy's novel highlights the importance of social differences in late-Victorian English society. It equally proves Hardy's genius as a storyteller and as a masterful painter of both society and landscape.
Romantic Adventures Of A Milkmaid
Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid (1883) is a long short story by Thomas Hardy. It follows the life of Margery, a lower-class woman who is young, delicate and beautiful. She is engaged to James Hayward who works in a kiln. When one day Margery goes out to visit her grandmother's house, she encounters a man who is about to commit suicide and somehow saves him unintentionally. The man happens to be a Baron and feels grateful to her. He offers to realize any of her wishes and she says her most cherished wish is to attend a ball and dance like a noble lady. The Baron realizes Margery's dream that she lives to the fullest. She soon feels attracted to the Baron who equally shows his interest in her. However, both are still conscious of the obstacles that prevent such a relationship. Not only is Margery already engaged to a young man who loves her and who is not ready to leave her, there is also the huge social gap between her and the Baron, something that was of extreme importance according to Victorian norms. Generally, Kipling's story follows the evolution of Margery's personality within a context governed by real as well as fantastic powers.
Under The Greenwood Tree
First published anonymously, Under the Greenwood Tree is a novel by the renowned English writer Thomas Hardy. The story's protagonist is Dick Dewy, a young man from the lower middle class who is a church musician and a member of the Mellstock choir along with his own father and grandfather. When a new music teacher named Fancy Day is introduced to the group, Dick is enchanted by her beauty and tries his best to gain her appreciation and love. Fancy is not necessarily against the idea of being engaged to Dick, yet she receives more than another suitor among the most important and the richest men in town. These include the church's vicar Mr. Maybold who considers replacing the whole choir by Fancy and her modern organ. Although Fancy becomes attracted and then engaged to young Dick, Mr. Maybold succeeds in seducing her for a while mainly through the affluence and the comfortable life that his position and social status promises. The vicar asks Fancy to marry him and she accepts. Only one day after, their engagement was mutually annulled while Dick remains completely oblivious of all this. By the end, the novel culminates in Fancy's happy marriage to Dick
Desperate Remedies, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West Country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Desperate Remedies was Hardy's first published work and much of the style, plot and themes of the status of women and the injustice of the class system are developed further in his later works. The book is a thriller or 'sensation' novel as it was then called and features the traditional concealed identities, deception, blackmail, macabre murders and exciting chases which keeps the reader in suspense throughout. The main character is Cythere Grave an innocent who has to contend with the attractive but evil Aeneas Manston. It is best not to divulge any thing else of the plot as it might spoil the reading of this cracking good yarn.
Jude The Obscure, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Jude the Obscure is "e;the sort of man who was born to ache a good deal."e; He is desperate to study at Christminster, the fictionalised Oxford University, and whilst self educated to a sufficient standard, his humble rural background prevents admission. Furthermore, he is distracted by the sensual Arabella and falls in love with the educated. emancipated new woman, Sue creating as Hardy states "e;a deadly war waged between flesh and spirit"e;. Whilst doomed love and unfulfilled ambition are the dominant themes, the frank criticism of marriage and fearless exploration of sexuality caused so much protest for its supposed indecency and the ensuing bitter criticism, made this Hardy's final novel and many agree also his finest. The novel continues to inspire the modern mind as the recent film directed by Michael Winterbottom and starring Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet as Jude and Sue attests.
Laodicean, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Laodicean is a rarely used word these days and means luke warm or half hearted, coming from Revelations 3-16 where Christians from Laodicea were rebuked for their indifference to religion. Hardy had to remain in bed for much of the writing of this novel due to internal bleeding, so dictated it to his wife who was also his nurse. As in his life, central to the book is also a woman, Paula Power, who is caught between two worlds that of the old and familiar and that of the new and modern. Underlining this dilemma is her indecision between two suitors, Captain de Stancy who is a descendant of the owners of the castle she lives in representing the old and George Somerset a rising young architect from London. This same dilemma faced much of Victorian society as industrialisation was radically changing people's lives and as always Hardy's rich character study and stunning prose create a compelling atmosphere and a good read.
Mayor Of Casterbridge, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. The Mayor of Casterbridge is Michael Henchard who prior to becoming such a prominent man was a drunk who sold his wife and daughter to a sailor for five guineas at a county fair. Despite his remorse and despair and his forsaking all alcohol, he finds his past deed shapes his fate. Casterbridge is Hardy's fictionalised Dorchester providing a peaceful landscape in contrast to the inner turmoil of our tragic hero and the other three main characters who are closely interlinked. This tightly knit novel with its vivid characterisation and striking descriptions has often been described as the greatest in the English language and sees Hardy at his best.
Return Of The Native, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Return of the Native opens with an evocative description of the bleak brooding Egdon Heath which is not only the setting for the book but also anticipates the dark tone of the novel. The native in the title is Clym Yeobright who is returning to the place where he grew up to settle and be a positive part of the community which was missing from his life in Paris. He falls in love with the tempestuous Eustacia Vye who dreams of passionate love and is dazzled by the idea of a life in Paris which would liberate her from the stifling claustrophobia she feels in Egdon. Marriage accentuates her restlessness and resolve to escape causing frustration, disappointment, betrayal and tragedy. Hardy provides a poetic compassion for both characters and creates powerful scenes heightening the dramatic tension and making this a special read.
Two On A Tower, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. Hardy sets out the premise of Two on a Tower in the preface as a "e;a wish to set the emotional history of two infinitesimal lives against the stupendous background of the stellar universe, and to impart to readers the sentiment that of these contrasting magnitudes the smaller might be the greater to them as men."e; Astronomy and science was of particular interest to Hardy and he was clearly knowledgeable in this area as this novel demonstrates.. The two on the Tower are Lady Viviette Constantine and Swithin St Cleeve. The former is the wife of a wealthy land owner whose husband is away in Africa and the latter a young keen astronomer who has been using the Tower, on her land, to observe the night sky. The two fall in love and their ensuing relationship allows Hardy to explore love across class and age divide fully with many compelling twists and turns.
Well Beloved, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. This book is set on the rugged peninsular Isle of Slingers and follows the lifelong quest of acclaimed sculptor Jocelyn Pierston for his elusive ideal woman, the Well Beloved of the title. Whilst he is able to animate her beauty in stone he is unable to find her in one woman but does eventually fall in love successively with three women at the age of 20, 40 and 60 who are all from the same family, mother, daughter and granddaughter. There are twists and turns through the story of the superficial nature of romantic love, obsession, infatuation and growing old. Hardy depicts the landscape and its people so evocatively that many feel it is the most beautiful prose he has ever written. Hardy noted that Marcel Proust developed "e;the theory exhibited in The Well Beloved"e; claiming that when we fall in love it is essentially with a figment of our own invention.
Woodlanders, By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (2nd June 1840 - 11th January 1928), celebrated poet and writer, was born in a modest thatched cottage near Dorchester in the West country, to a builder father. His mother came from a line of intelligent, lively and ambitious women so ensured her son had the best formal education available for their modest means although this ended when he was 16. He became a draughtsman specialising in the building of churches was able to give it up to be a full time writer and poet with the publication of Far From the Madding Crown which became a bestseller and like much of his work was serialised. His writing reflects his passionate beliefs for social reform and exposes the hypocrisy of the rules of the Victorian age which constrained many freedoms with convention and restricted the transcending of class boundaries. His novels are almost entirely set in rural Wessex which although fictional is clearly rooted in the SW counties of England where he was born and lived most of his life. Hardy's writing caused controversy in his lifetime but despite this he was highly praised and showered with honorary doctorates from many universities, a knighthood, which he refused and in 1910 the prestigious Order of the Merit. The relationship between man and trees is a recurrent theme in Hardy's work and here in The Woodlanders it is explored in depth with the characters being fellow inhabitants with the trees and their struggles interconnected with the trees. Set in the familiar Dorset landscape this novel follows the fortunes of Giles Winterbourne, a good hearted native of the area who works as a yeoman. His childhood sweetheart Grace Melbury has been away to private school and stayed on as a governess. On her return Giles' love for her is challenged by rival, Edred Fitzpierrs, a young and dashing doctor who wins her hand in marriage. This match is an unhappy one and affects the woodland community in this extraordinary novel.
Victorian Poetry - Volume 2
Victorian Poetry - Volume 2 - An Introduction. Victoria's reign was long and presided over the restless expansion of the British Empire and reams of creative genius. Within these volumes we can bring only a glimpse of the richness, beauty and words of their poets and their musings on this remarkable age. Many are world renowned - Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Kipling, Austin, Hopkins, Hardy and Swinburne. Some almost forgotten - Patmore, Newbolt, Synge. And some barely noted - Lyall, Meynell and Merdeith. But together they encompass a great poetical age. In Volume 2 we collect together Thomas Hardy to George Meredith. Among our readers are Richard Mitchley and Ghizela Rowe
Christmas Poetry
Christmas Poetry. An Introduction. Christmas, they say, comes but once a year. In these days it seems to also last for much of that year but this volume is not just for Christmas! For the religious amongst us this annual celebration of the Birth of Christ must seem bitter sweet; it's acknowledgment by billions of people countered by the pervasive spread of material possessions translating the event to little more than a sales pitch for their own wares. Most religions celebrate their founders but Christianity seems somehow to have lost possession of one of its key rituals in an ever more secular West. The spread of globalisation seems to have hindered rather than helped the true meaning of the festival. Children today are much more interested in what presents they might receive than any spiritual message. As parents too, most of us buy into this and indulge our offspring rather than instil the underlying themes and aims of the festival's meaning common to us all. In this collection we rely on the words and wisdom of such fine poets as John Milton, Emily Dickinson, Sir Walter Scott, Daniel Sheehan, Wordsworth, Longfellow and a whole host of others to absorb us in a Christmas time of hope and togetherness. The experiences and memories they share with us speak of a time, of a world that did have a common purpose and an ambition to share good fortune with everyone. This selection is read for you by Ghizela Rowe and Tim Graham.
Poetry Of Animals
Animal Poems. We all love animals, even if sometimes its only from afar on TV or at a zoo. But many of us have felt friendship and companionship with our friends in the animal world. We talk and react to them as if they really do understand us. Perhaps they do. In this volume Hardy, Thackeray, Carroll, DH Lawrence, Emily Dickinson and many others share their words with our ears.
Gothic Tales of Terror
GOTHIC TALES OF TERROR - VOLUME 1. This collection of short stories contains several gothic tales to bear macabre and chilling witness to writers as diverse as Thomas Hardy, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe and HP Lovecraft. These tales are designed to unsettle you, just a little, as you sit back, and take in their words as they lead you on a walk to places you'd perhaps rather not visit on your own. Our stories are The Withered Arm by Thomas Hardy, The Judges House by Bram Stoker, Hop Frog by Edgar Allan Poe and The Lurking Fear by HP Lovecraft. These stories are read for you by many readers including Bill Wallis, David Healy and Richard Mitchley
Poetry of Thomas Hardy
The Poetry Of Thomas Hardy - An Introduction. Many giants of Literature originate from the shores of these emerald isles; Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, The Brontes and Austen to which most people would willingly add the name Thomas Hardy. Far From The Madding Crowd, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, The Mayor Of Casterbridge are but three of his literary masterpieces. But let us go further and add to his canon his Poems. Hardy himself thought he was a poet who wrote novels purely for the money. Indeed his poems were not published until he was in his fifties after his major novels were published and his reputation set. Today his poetry is more rightly regarded in its own right. These poems are ready for you by James Taylor, Gideon Wagner, Richard Mitchley, Tim Graham and Ghizela Rowe
Thomas Hardy - The Short Stories (Unabridged)
Thomas Hardy - The Short Stories - An Introduction. Many giants of Literature originate from the shores of these emerald isles; Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, The Brontes and Austen to which most people would willingly add the name Thomas Hardy. Far From The Madding Crowd, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, The Mayor Of Casterbridge are but three of his literary masterpieces. But let us add to this his short stories. They are often overlooked as being the poor, under-developed relative of a greater work. But from writers of the calibre of Hardy this is just not so. He picks stories and creates characters that drive, meld and create pages that in their numerically shorter length are in fact the perfect length. Our stories are read for you by Richard Mitchley
Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy - The Short Stories - An Introduction. Many giants of Literature originate from the shores of these emerald isles; Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, The Brontes and Austen to which most people would willingly add the name Thomas Hardy. Far From The Madding Crowd, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, The Mayor Of Casterbridge are but three of his literary masterpieces. But let us add to this his short stories. They are often overlooked as being the poor, under-developed relative of a greater work. But from writers of the calibre of Hardy this is just not so. He picks stories and creates characters that drive, meld and create pages that in their numerically shorter length are in fact the perfect length. Our stories are read for you by Richard Mitchley
Far From The Madding Crowd
Far From The Madding Crowd is much more than a tale of rural life; at times the principal characters act madly enough to make the title seem ironic. Hardy subtly spins his story around the disruption of a small community by two differing but equally strong willed outsiders, Bathsheba and Troy. In the end Bathsheba learns from the whirlwind of passion she has unleashed and settles for the best of her suitors. Meanwhile, the beauty of the countryside and the down-to-earth attitudes of the farm workers provide a natural backdrop to the story. 1. A BEAUTY APPEARS. Gabriel Oak, a bachelor and successful young sheep farmer, is overwhelmed by the sight of Bathsheba Everdene, a newcomer to the district, and falls in love. After seeing her several times without her knowledge, he clumsily proposes to her - but she teasingly rejects him. Soon after, she leaves the district. Gabriel is ruined by his foolish dog, who drives his sheep over a cliff, and he has to give up his farm and search for work. 2. A FIRE AND A MEETING. After failing to find work at Casterbridge, Gabriel is on his way past Weatherbury when he sees a fire in a farmyard and helps to extinguish it. This is so impresses the watching farmer - who happens to be Bathsheba Everdene, the farm's new owner - that she agrees to take him on as a shepherd. Gabriel, while looking for lodgings, encounters a frail young girl near the churchyard, and helps her. After an evening at the Malthouse, Gabriel and his fellow farm workers hear that the bailiff has been dismissed for theft. But this news is eclipsed by the discovery than Fanny Robin, Bathsheba's youngest servant, has vanished. 3. A STARTLING DECISION. Bathsheba announces to the amazed farmer workers that she will be her own bailiff. She a makes conspicuous debut at Casterbridge corn-exchange as the sole women, and is slightly piqued to note that one farmer, a wealthy bachelor called William Boldwood, pays her no attention at all. Mischievously, she sends him a valentine card. This has a devastating effect on his peace of mind; he discovers from Gabriel whose writing is on the card. At the same time Gabriel receives a letter from Fanny Robin, thanking him for his help and telling him that she is the young girl he helped in the churchyard and that she expects to marry a solider, Sergeant Troy. 4. THE RESULTS OF FLATTERY. Boldwood, deeply in love with Bathsheba, proposes to her in June but she, Feeling quite differently towards him, asks for a few weeks to consider the matter. That very night, while checking her farm, her skirt is caught by a soldier's spur. Thus she meets Troy, but does not yet succumb to his flattering charm. When they meet, he apologises to her for his impertinence but praises her beauty, so winning her heart. Gabriel tries to warm Bathsheba against Troy to no avail. Soon after, Bathsheba departs from Bath, returning as Mrs Troy. 5. BREAKDOWN OF A MARRIAGE. At the harvest festival, Troy gets the farm hands so drunk that they cannot cover the wheat-ricks against an approaching storm. Gabriel does it himself with help from Bathsheba, who is fast growing disillusioned with her husband. On their way back from the races. The Troys meet a young girl on the road. Bathsheba does not recognise her, but Troy does: she is Fanny Robin, pregnant with his child. Troy gives her money and promises her more, but asking Bathsheba for the money sparks a violent row. When Bathsheba hears Fanny has died, she suspects Troy being involved with her. 6. GUILT REVEALED. Thanks to a drunken wagon driver, Fanny's coffin arrives too late for her funeral to take place. Gabriel tales the coffin to Weatherbury for the night, but deletes the words 'and child' written after Fanny's name. The maid Liddy relates the gossip about a baby to Bathsheba who, desperate to know the truth, removes the coffins lid. The discovery of Fanny and her dead child overwhelms first her and than Troy, who returns to find the coffin open, his confession appals Bathsheba and drives her, distracted, from the house. Meanwhile, Troy orders the best tombstone he can buy for Fanny and slips away to Budmouth. When told that Troy is believed drowned, Bathsheba collapses - and is caught by Boldwood. 7. A VIOLENT END. Bathsheba remains melancholy, while Boldwood grows ever more obsessed with her, letting his farm run down until Gabriel becomes his bailiff. Finally, he asks Bathsheba to marry him if Troy has not returned at the end of six years. She eventually agrees at Boldwood's Christmas party. Moments later, Troy, who is not dead after all. Reappears - but Bathsheba refuses to leave with him, Boldwood driven mad by the prospect of losing her again, shoots Troy and attempts to shoot himself. While he surrenders to police, Bathsheba takes home Troy's corpse and prepares it for burial. 8. NEW BEGINNING. The following August, Bathsheba visits the graveyard, where Troy lies next to Fanny. She breaks down in tears and is observed by Gabriel. He tells her he is thinking of emigrating, which further distresses her. The next day Bathsheba goes to Gabriel's house to complain at his proposed desertion and at last they talk of marriage and realise a profound love 'which many waters cannot quench'
Mayor Of Casterbridge
This epic work is one of the most tragic of Thomas Hardy's stories. The novel comes full circle as Michael Henchard rises from poverty and drunkenness to wealth and position, ultimately to die poor and bitter. The Mayor's own story is linked to the almost mythological struggle of the old with the new, as his power, his business and even his love for a woman are challenged by the young and thrusting Donald Farfrae. Progress must ultimately triumph over the old way of life, leaving Henchard defeated and disgraced. 1. DRINK AND DISASTER. Michael Henchard, with his wife Susan and their baby daughter, approaches a village, seeking work. A fair is in progress; the family enter a tent selling furmity (a milk drink) and Henchard has rum added to his. He becomes very drunk, and on seeing an auction puts Susan up for sale. A sailor buys her five guineas Henchard falls asleep. When he wakes, repentant, he swears that he will not drink for 21 years. Long after, Susan returns to the same spot with her grown-up daughter Elizabeth-Jane and learns that Henchard went to Casterbridge, Once there, she is amazed to find that he is Mayor. 2. FRESH STARTS. Donald Farfrae, a young Scot, is passing through Casterbridge at the same time as Susan arrives. He overhears the Mayor say that nothing can be done about the rotten wheat he has been selling and sends him a formula for saving it; Henchard is so impressed that he appoints Farfrae as manager of his business. Elizabeth-Jane calls on Henchard, who is moved by her revelation that his wife has returned, the sailor who brought her being presumed dead. He sends Susan a note containing five guineas to buy her back and arranges to meet her secretly. They agree not to reveal their past and to remarry. 3. PARTNERS QUARREL. Henchard confides in Farfrae, admitting both his past treatment of Susan and his liaison with, and subsequent engagement to, a woman in Jersey. Henchard re-remarries Susan who, like her daughter, enjoys life in their comfortable new home. The corn business also thrives under Farfrae's management, but the two men argue. Soon after, on a special day, Farfrae organises a fair. Piqued that he was not been consulted - and did not think of its first - Henchard organises his own fair, which is rained off. By contrast, Farfrae's is a success; he even dances with Elizabeth. In a fit of anger, he sacks Farfrae and forbids Elizabeth to see him again. The Scot then starts his own corn-dealing business. 4. TRUTH CONCEALED. Susan Henchard falls ill and dies, an event which draws Henchard and Elizabeth closer. He decides to tell her the truth - as he knows it - and explains that he is her father, to her great shock. However, Henchard discovers from a letter which Susan left that his own daughter died in infancy, and that Elizabeth's father is Richard Newson, the sailor who bought Susan, but his behaviour towards Elizabeth changes for the worse. Bewildered, she is weeping by her mother's grave when she meets a lady who invites her to live with her as her companion. 5. LOVES CROSSED CURRENTS. Henchard's ex-fiancee, Lucetta Templeman, send him a letter announcing her arrival in Casterbridge, then another saying that she has persuaded Elizabeth to live with her in High Place Hall. Henchard, feeling his old ardour rekindled, calls on her but is told to return the next day. He then writes to Farfrae, giving him to permission to woo Elizabeth again. Next day, Farfrae goes to High Place but sees Lucetta, not Elizabeth. She herself was expecting Henchard but, after meeting the Scotsman, falls in love with him instead. She than refuses Henchard's proposal of marriage. Henchard tells Farfrae that his former fiancee has now refused him, but the latter does not realise that she and his beloved are one and the same. 6. RUIN. To avenge himself on Farfrae, Henchard appoints a new manager, Jopp, and plans to corner the corn market, anticipating a poor harvest. But the harvest is good and Henchard is half-ruined. Soon after, the old furmity seller appears before Henchard in court and accuses him of having sold his wife years before. Lucetta when she hears the story is appalled. Henchard pressed for money, asks Lucetta to announce their engagement, so her wealth will secure his credit. She replies that she has already married Farfrae. Both Henchard and Elizabeth have lost the ones they love. 7. DISGRACE AND DEATH. Henchard's affairs go from bad to worse and he is bankrupted. Meanwhile, Farfrae is made Mayor, but rumours of Lucetta's past liaison spread rapidly and a 'skimmington-ride' is planed to humiliate her. When Lucetta sees the effigies of herself and Henchard hauled though the streets, she collapses and dies. 8. FINAL DECLINE. Elizabeth is asleep in Henchard's cottage - he has had to leave his large, expensive house - when a stranger calls. It is Newson; he has heard that Susan is dead and Henchard tells him that Elizabeth is too. Newson leaves Casterbridge, and Henchard and Elizabeth set up shop together. But Farfrae starts wooing Elizabeth again and Newson returns. Henchard making off before Elizabeth learns the truth. Henchard goes to Elizabeth's wedding party with a gift of a goldfinch, but she rejects him. Soon after, she is stricken with remorse and sets off with her husband to find him - but Henchard dies before they reach him
Tess Of The D'Urbervilles
1. A QUESTION OF ANCESTRY. Most of the elements of the novel are set in place. From the moment Parson Tringham suggests to Tess's father that he may be descended from a noble family, Tess's life changes. She meets Angel for the first time at the May dance, where, to her slight irritation, he dances with other girls, missing her out. The section ends when Tess's negligence leads to the death of Price, the Durbeyfield horse - who is also the family's breadwinner. Listen for the description of price's of death and see how elsewhere in the novel-most notably in track 9, at Sandbourne - the image of blood comes up again and again. 2. AT TRANTRIDGE. Tess is persuaded by her family to go to Trantridge to find what they believe to be another branch of the family. Mrs Stoke d'Urberville offers work to Tess, who then encounters her seducer, Alec, for the first time. Hardy takes pains to point out that Alec is not related to Tess at all- his family merely acquired the d'Urberville name - a tragic irony in view of what is about to happen. 3. MAIDEN NO MORE. The seduction marks the end of a sustained campaign by Alec. The scene is full of power and pathos. Imagine 'the darkness and the silence' on The Chase that night with only the sound of Tess's breathing as she lies there asleep in white muslin, the birds roosting in the trees above them. No wonder Hardy asks: 'where was her guardian angel?' 4. AT TALBOTHAYS. Back at Marlott, Tess gives birth to the slickly Sorrow. Pathetically, because of his illegitimacy, Tess has to christen him herself - watched by her sister 'Liza-Lu and her other brothers and sisters - before he dies. Stifled at home and determined to make a new start, she takes a job as a milkmaid at Talbothays Dairy, where she meets Angel again. 5. HALCYON DAYS. Angel pursues Tess as earnestly as Alec did but in a more gentlemanly fashion. He kisses her for the first time and then proposes marriage. Aware of the effect knowledge of the past would have on him, Tess refuses. But as the section closes, she gives in to her need for a chance of happiness and in spite of her misgiving, she accepts him. 6. REVELATIONS. This is the centrepiece of the novel. Tess tries unsuccessfully to tell Angel of her past before the wedding but Angel brushes her aside. The marriage appears to be culmination of their love, but we are made aware that Tess's period of happiness is about to come to a close. Only on their wedding night, after Angel has confessed to a short period of debauchery, can she tell her story. The story is observed from Angel's point of view- and his reaction is made all the more sinister because we never hear it. He reacts by stoking the fire - a meaning act - before reply almost in monotone. He is unable to live with this revelation on her past, despite his own past sexual exploits. 7. FLASHBACK. Eight months later, Tess is penniless and is forced to search for Angel's parents for assistance. On her way to Emminster, she finds Alec, now a preacher, addressing his throng in a country barn. He is stunned to see her and genuinely shocked to hear of her situation. He is also immediately attracted to her again. 8. 'MAN AND WIFE'. Alec abandons preaching and wins Tess back with memorable, if chilling, words: 'I was your master once! I will be your master again'. Angel, now in South America, at last rethinks his position and decides to return to England. Tess's father dies, leaving her and the Durbeyfield family homeless. 9. THE FINAL RECKONING. Angel discovers Tess living with Alec at Sandbourne as man and wife. The image of blood reappears with the landlady see the red spot on her ceiling - the first sign that Tess has murdered Alec in the room above. She and Angel are briefly reunited at Stonehenge before their discovery by the police. She is tried and then hanged at Winchester Gaol as Angel, at Tess's bequest walks away with 'Liza-Lu
Thomas Hardy The Short Stories
Thomas Hardy - The Short Stories - An Introduction. Many giants of Literature originate from the shores of these emerald isles; Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, The Brontes and Austen to which most people would willingly add the name Thomas Hardy. Far From The Madding Crowd, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, The Mayor Of Casterbridge are but three of his literary masterpieces. But let us add to this his short stories. They are often overlooked as being the poor, under-developed relative of a greater work. But from writers of the calibre of Hardy this is just not so. He picks stories and creates characters that drive, meld and create pages that in their numerically shorter length are in fact the perfect length. Our stories are read for you by Richard Mitchley
Jude the Obscure
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) wanted his last novel 'to deal unaffectedly with the fret and fever, derision and disaster, that may press in the wake of the strongest passion known to humanity, and to point, without a mincing of words, the tragedy of unfulfilled aims'. First published in its present form in 1895 (although post-dated 1896) after appearing as an abridged serial, the work was met with as much opprobrium as admiration. Critics wrote reviews entitled 'Jude the Obscene' and 'Hardy the Degenerate' because of the novel's explicit content and deliberate attacks on the education system and marriage laws; even Hardy's wife took personal offence. Sparse and bleak, the story follows Jude Fawley, a promising self-taught scholar and village stonemason, as he navigates with increasing difficulty between the prejudices of the class system and two very different women: his wife, Arabella, and his ethereal, disturbed love, Sue Bridehead.
Under the Greenwood Tree
This edition presents a critically established text based on comparisons of every revised version. Hardy placed this tale among his Novels of Character and Environment, a group which is held to include his most characteristic work. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Jude the Obscure
Sexually innocent Jude Fawley is trapped into marriage by seductive Arabella Donn, but their union is an unhappy one and Arabella leaves him. Jude's welcome freedom allows him to pursue his obsession with his pretty cousin Sue Bridehead, a brilliant, charismatic free-thinker who would be his ideal soul-mate if not for her aversion to physical love. When Jude and Sue decide to lead their lives outside marriage they bring down on themselves all the force of a repressive society. This fearless and outspoken story caused a furore on its publication, and was Hardy's last novel.
Tess Of The D'Urbervilles
When Tess Durbeyfield, the daughter of a poor villager, learns that she might be a descendant of the ancient DUrberville family, her family pressures her to claim kinship in order to seek a portion of the fortune. But when her meeting with young Alec DUrberville does not go as planned, she returns home a ruined woman. A kinder man, Angel Clare, seems to offer Tess a more stable lifebut she must choose whether to reveal her past to him and risk losing everything, or stay quiet and live a lie. Set in the rural town of Wessex, Tess of the DUrbervilles examines the impact of Victorian hypocrisy and societal struggles on the rural classes.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Mayor Of Casterbridge
Late one night at a local fair, Michael Henchard, blinded by alcohol and foolish bravado, trades away his wife and daughter to a visiting sailor. Nineteen years later the two women return to Casterbridge and the now-sober Michael, who has gained power and influence in his role as the mayor, must confront his past. As his life begins to collapse, Henchard realizes that it is his treatment of others has been his greatest downfall. Burdened by guilt and stripped of his status and money, Henchard succumbs once again to drink.HarperPerennialClassics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Jude: The Obscure
The novel develops multiple intertwined themes. Most controversially, during England's Victorian era, Hardy criticized revered institutions like marriage and Christianity. He also criticizes the bourgeois values associated with marriage through the tragedy of his star-crossed lovers, Jude and Sue, whose attempts to defy social conventions for the sake of love leads to their misery. Another major thematic focus of the novel is the issue of fixed class boundaries, particularly with regard to access to higher education for students from the working class. Although Jude wishes to attend the university, he can't afford to get his degree and is thereby shut out from having any economic mobility out of the working class. This theme of class was personal for Hardy since he, like Jude, was not able to attend university for financial reasons...
Jude The Obscure
Thomas Hardys final literary masterpiece, Jude the Obscure is the story of Jude Fawley, a poor stonemason living in rural Wessex, whose dreams of becoming a scholar are complicated by an ill-fated romance with his spirited cousin, Sue Bridehead. Jude and Sues attempts to defy social conventions for the sake of their love lead to misery, heartache and tragedy. Greatly concerned with the destructive rules of marriage, the novel openly criticizes Victorian society, religion and education, and modern critics hail Jude the Obscure as a pioneering work of feminism and socialist thought.Jude the Obscure scandalised critics upon its publication in 1895, leading to Hardys decision to only produce poetry and drama for the rest of his writing life. It has been adapted twice for film, and remains one of Hardys most widely-read novels.HarperPerennialClassics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Far From The Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardys first literary masterpiece, Far From the Madding Crowd is the story of free-spirited Bathsheba Everdene, whose bold independence attracts the attention of three suitors: the frugal shepherd Gabriel Oak, the lonely farmer William Boldwood, and the dashing young soldier Sergeant Francis Troy. Each man unsettles Bathshebas life in some way, complicating her ideas of courtship and passion, and threatening to upset her quiet community.HarperPerennialClassics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
Jude the Obscure
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) wanted his last novel 'to deal unaffectedly with the fret and fever, derision and disaster, that may press in the wake of the strongest passion known to humanity, and to point, without a mincing of words, the tragedy of unfulfilled aims'. First published in its present form in 1895 (although post-dated 1896) after appearing as an abridged serial, the work was met with as much opprobrium as admiration. Critics wrote reviews entitled 'Jude the Obscene' and 'Hardy the Degenerate' because of the novel's explicit content and deliberate attacks on the education system and marriage laws; even Hardy's wife took personal offence. Sparse and bleak, the story follows Jude Fawley, a promising self-taught scholar and village stonemason, as he navigates with increasing difficulty between the prejudices of the class system and two very different women: his wife, Arabella, and his ethereal, disturbed love, Sue Bridehead.
Fiddler of the Reels and Other Stories
As popular today as they were during the author's lifetime, the works of Thomas Hardy captivate readers with their gripping narrative power and arresting imagery. This collection presents a trio of the author's finest and most representative short stories. "e;The Distracted Preacher,"e; a flawless comedy graced with Shakespearean touches, concerns a pair of ill-matched lovers and the breakup of a little network of smugglers. "e;The Three Strangers"e; offers a celebration of the comforts and familiarities of life within a community. The title story, singled out time and again for critical praise, centers on the rivalry between a good but plain man and a charismatic villain.These tales mark Hardy's attempts to record the rapidly vanishing legends, superstitions, local customs, and lore of the Dorset region as well as his skepticism about the possibility of achieving personal and sexual satisfaction in the modern world. Alternatively humorous, ironic, and elegiac, the stories attest to the remarkable range of Hardy's storytelling gifts.
Thomas Hardy: The Complete Novels (Golden Deer Classics)
Here you will find the complete novels of Thomas Hardy in the chronological order of their original publication. - Desperate Remedies- Under the Greenwood Tree- A Pair of Blue Eyes- Far from the Madding Crowd- The Hand of Ethelberta- The Return of the Native- The Trumpet-Major- A Laodicean: a Story of To-day- Two on a Tower- The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid- The Mayor of Casterbridge- The Woodlanders- Tess of the d'Urbervilles- Life's Little Ironies- Jude the ObscureIncludes Bonus two short stories- The Great English Short-Story Writers, Vol. 1- The Three Strangers
