Bunny Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I've read "A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy, took me a while to read it but I got there and loved every page of it. Now I'm wondering which one to attempt to read next. Which one would you recommend ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Gosh! Another prospective hardy fan! There are two or three of us here who adore his work. My personal favourite is the Woodlanders, but I don't think I would recommend it as an early read. The Mayor of Casterbridge is a good one to start with. Tess is a bit depressing, IMHO , but I know Jude the Obscure is a favourite, as is Far from the Madding Crowd. The others will recommend their favourites, I'm sure. Have you tried any of his poetry? Although I love his novels, I actually think is he is a better poet than novelist. Pp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polka Dot Rock Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I actually think is he is a better poet than novelist. Pp Hey ditto! So did a good deal of critics, which is why he never wrote another novel after Jude. Whoops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 PDR said, Hey ditto! So did a good deal of critics, which is why he never wrote another novel after Jude. Whoops! LOL...I have not read much about Hardy. Like Angel (I think it was Angel...sorry if it wasn't, my memory is appalling), I would like to read a biography or something, but it's nice to know that I am not alone in my views! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polka Dot Rock Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Claire Tomalin's Thomas Hardy: The Time-torn Man is meant to be fabulous. It's out in paperback in July, I believe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Aimz said, Thats going on the wish list then. Thanks Aimz xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I've read "A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy, took me a while to read it but I got there and loved every page of it. Now I'm wondering which one to attempt to read next. Which one would you recommend ? As Purple Poppy anticipated Far From the Madding Crowd is a favourite - it's my personal favourite. I read it at school at 16 and thought it was wonderful and then again in my 30's for my degree and loved it just as much second time around. I love the descriptions in it, the use of pathetic fallacy, the characters, the emotional truths, in fact everything!!! happy reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Great, another Hardy fan! He is one of my favourite classic writers! I really enjoy Jude the Obscure (read so many times, I've lost count) and Far From the Madding Crowd. The Woodlanders is good for a 'minor' work, Return of the Native is OK. Tess is also enjoyable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Hey ditto! So did a good deal of critics, which is why he never wrote another novel after Jude. Whoops! This may have been because the book was publicly burnt by the Clergy of the day! This may have destroyed his confidence although many have argued that he was ahead of his time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I've just finished Far From The Madding Crowd, which was my first Hardy book. Really enjoyed it and loved his descriptive style of writing - I can see I'm going to be reading more of his books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted March 4, 2007 Author Share Posted March 4, 2007 thank you everyone for your replies, still got a pile of other books to read first, but I'm determined to read a few more of Hardy's, think Far from the Madding Crowd will be the next one I attempt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 I've read "A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy, took me a while to read it but I got there and loved every page of it. Hmm, maybe i'll try that - i did tess in school and loved it but havent read anything else of his, have always meant to ready far from the madding crowd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow_reader Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 AndmeAndme...... My head is full of romantic notions and I *love* Hardy. What a writer! Poetry, prose. . . I bet even his shopping lists were descriptive. All good stuff. For me the best is Far From The Madding Crowd. I love it all. Storyline, characters, setting, the flow, the countryside. I mean "wimbling the haybales". . . <sigh> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samgrosser Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 The Mayor of Casterbridge is a good one to start with. Tess is a bit depressing, IMHO , but I know Jude the Obscure is a favourite, as is Far from the Madding Crowd. I'd agree that the Mayor of Casterbridge is a good one to start with - I read it at school for O level. Tess is a bit depressing though very beautiful, but IMHO Jude is far more so (and also might qualify for the lonnnnng books thread). I like Far from the Madding Crowd too, but it's a been long long time since I've read any Hardy. I count him as one of my major influences - I spent far too many angst-ridden teenage hours agonizing over Tess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Sam said, I spent far too many angst-ridden teenage hours agonizing over Tess... LOL, maybe Anna is really Tess and that is why I am having trouble placing her! (PPs Parlour). No, they are very different... although both oppressed outwardly, their spirit shows and wins through in the end. Oh shut up PP! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sib Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sib Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Oh sib that's one of my all time favourite novels - the love triangle, the poetry of his language - it's brilliant. I know, I suppose it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merflerher Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 I read Claire Tomalin's biog a couple of weeks ago, highly recommend it, it's very readable and I feel I understand Hardy better now. My favourite of his is Return of the Native. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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