Thomas Hardy (1 Viewer)

[Ralizah]

What is your favorite work by him? I'd have to go with 'Jude the Obscure,' but 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' is also a fine piece of literature.

 

[Beatrice Boyle]

Hi Ralizah, My two favorites are ...The Mayor Of Casterbridge and Far From The Madding Crowd.

However, I've seen all his works that were featured on PBS...they all were great!

 

[annika]

Ah Thomas Hardy... hmmm must re-read some of his again as I haven't read them in a while. Thanks for the reminder of an old favourite. The Woodlanders comes to mind, but it's so long since I read it I have completely forgotten the story.

He can be a little depressing of course - life was hard - but well worth the read for the glimpse into the past and some wonderful prose:

" To step, for instance, at the place under notice, from the edge of the plantation into the adjoining thoroughfare, and pause amid it's emptiness for a moment, was to exchange by the act of a single stride the simple absence of human companionship for an incubus of the forlorn."


"incubus of the forlorn"


wonderful stuff!

 

[bLuE_MoOn]

My fave would have to b 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles

 

[The Evincar]

Whoops, didn't know there already was a Hardy thread... I made one somewhere else...
Anyway, I'm a big fan of Hardy's poetry and novels, I've literally read every single novel of his, except one, I think (Desperate Remedies).

And I think my favorite is still the first Hardy book I ever read, that introduced me to him, The Mayor of Casterbridge...I just love Michael Henchard, such a tragic and powerful character...
Either that or Tess...

 

[EminemsRevenge]

Tess has to be the most perfect woman in the history of literature, but Jude Fawley is the ultimate victim of Fate...always what if'd when i wonder what would have happened if those two had met!

 

[TWariner]

I LOVE Thomas Hardy. He used the English language so beautifully. It was like reading poetry. He definitely inspires me as a writer.

I liked Tess of the D'Ubervilles, though it was so sad. My fave book of his, though is Mayor of Casterbridge. Also tragic, I suppose, but so great!

 

[lilacstarflower]

I loved Far from the Madding Crowd but detested Tess of D'Urbevilles for some reason

 

[BOURBON]

Tess. The Well-Beloved is also wonderful.

 

[JosephB]

I've only read Jude. Liked it a lot, although it's been a while. "Done because we are too many." Mighty hard to forget that line. Really choked me up -- and infuriated me.

 

[BOURBON]

Some of the short stories are worth reading. I can't remember the name of it, but my favourite is about a man whose wife is possessed by a gypsy fiddler's music - really eerie and beautifully written.

And the end to Tess is one of the most poigniant things I have ever read.