Well, I've just finished The Woodlanders about 5 mins ago. 445 pp in just three days. I was a fan of Hardy, but this just left me gasping. It was stunning! Beautiful, touching story, wonderful prose. In the last 3 years, I've read 250 novels and factual/ history/ science books, but few of my ~60 Classics. So, having rearranged my bookcase, I'm setting off on a Classics spree tomorrow!
I've read Tess as it was required reading for a course. I was nervous, worried that 1) I wouldn't understand it or 2) find it unbearably boring. It was neither and I flew through the first reading of it pleasantly surprised at how engaged I was in the story. I think readers who like the darker and more dramatic Bronte books would like Tess as well.
I have to say, I absolutely love you channel, because you talk so much about my favourite English classics. Thomas Hardy is one of my favourite writers, but I will probably recommend Far from the Madding Crowd, it is so lovely and some parts even cheeky which is not something I expect from his books. I think that Jude the Obscure is the most dark and depressing, but still master piece. Lovely video.❤
Thanks for the video, Lucy! Far From The Madding Crowd is truly special to me. When I was very young, I saw the title on the back of another book I was reading, and it just attracted me right away. Took me years to finally be able to sit down and read it. Just like you, I read it in the spring - you're right, the season makes the reading even more phenomenal. I love this book a lot. The story stays with you. Gabriel Oak is one of the best characters I have come across. Loved his portrayal in the 2015 movie! Excellent soundtrack too. ❤
I'm here after just finishing Far from the Madding Crowd which I loved sooooo much! I made the mistake of starting with Jude the Obscure which is definitely not the best beginner Hardy. Now I've read Tess, Under the Greenwood Tree and Far From the Madding Crowd I have a much better and understanding of his work and am really developing a love for his writing and the world of Wessex. 💛 I should have started with this video!
I've read Far From the Madding Crowd and Tess of the D'Urbervilles and I am now reading The Mayor of Casterbridge. Loving it. The 2003 miniseries with Ciaran Hinds in the lead role is also great.
So glad to see a kindred spirit for whom the woodlanders is such a moving read. I read the very last paragraph over and over to remind myself what true love is all about .
THANKS!!! I really mantain my hope for humanity when I see youtubers posting recommended classics !!! That was what I was looking for. THanks again so much!!!
Such a shame that I have only just seen this. What a beautiful passion. I now want to read all of his books. I remember when I was young, that my mother was a fan, "Far From the Madding Crowd" was her favourite. So, I was sure they would be very boring, and went in the direction of Wilbur Smith and Stephen King (not that there was, or is anything wrong with that). Now I am in my later years I appreciate depth to a novel over action. Is that me getting old and weary, or a recognition of an intelligence that may not have been awake all those years ago? Having never been a TV watcher, I'm unaware of the video adaptations, so I can now dive in to the water, free of expectations or comparisons. Thank you, Lucy, whether I dive or am pushed, you have certainly influenced me.
I would recommend The Mayor of Casterbridge as a good book to pick up next, unless you want something really dark in which case go for Jude the Obscure. I recently read Desperate Remedies which has a more sensational fiction style to it so its good as something different from Hardy but not one of my personal favourites. Like you, I am hoping to read all of Hardy’s works soon as he is one of my favourite authors and having grown up in Dorset I love reading about places I know well.
I love Thomas Hardy novels, The Woodlanders was first book I’ve read. I was hooked. The books I read are; Tess, Mayor of Casterbridge, Desperate Remedies, Return of the Native, Jude the Obscure, Far from the Madding Crowd
Certainly the random thing that precipitates Tess's downward spiral takes human form in Parson Tringham. But for me it is even more sublime as an alagory of 'fate happening on your way'.
I love Hardy too. He is one of my two favorite authors along with Steinbeck. My favorites so far are Far from the Madding Crowd, The Woodlanders, and Tess.
Love your passion for Hardy. Any Hardy reader is a friend of mine. My top 5 in order: 1. Madding Crowd 2. Mayor of Casterbridge 3. The Return of the Native 4. The Woodlanders 5. Tess 6. Two on a Tower 7. Jude. 8. A Pair of Blue Eyes. I’m still working through the rest. Why is Tess #5? It’s such a heartbreaker. Reading Hardy has been one of the great things in my life. I sometimes imagine running away and living as a worker on Bathsheba’s sheep farm “far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife”. There are some wonderful short stories and poems too.
I’m a great Thomas Hardy admirer.My favourite books are Far from the madding crowd,Tess ,and The mayor of Casterbridge.Thank you for your video.Loved it.Expect to see more.
The last book I finished was The Woodlanders, and I agree with what you're saying - really heartwretching and powerful despite/because of all the irritating choices and events during the novel. I've also read Under the GreenWood Tree, Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd (in that order), and I think you sum them up very nicely. And I totally see what you mean when you say that spring and autumn are the best times to read Hardy!
I’ve just started Tess for my Alevel and I am loving it and can’t wait to read far from the madding crowd in the holidays! This was such a good video to get an overview of Hardys work x
I became a fan of TH when I read Tess for my A levels in 1972. Have since read them all and now collect audio books wherever possible. Enjoyable, particularly where there is a good narrator. Always watch out for film adaptations, the best for me being Far From The Madding Crowd with Judy Christie et al. agree
Have you read Mrs. Gaskell's books? I'm looking forward to seeing your remarks on those. BTW, this was a terrific video. I'm halfway through Jude the Obscure with only the Mayor of Casterbridge, of the major works, left. Your comments about Tess and Madding perfectly capture my feelings. Despite the tragic outcomes in some of his works, there remains hope, and love, and respect for the world of Wessex and through them, for us.
The Mayor Of Casterbridge is the only Hardy book I ever read. I was 14 at the time and disliked the depressing plot but was impressed by the way he created the characters and the way he was able to get readers to eventually sympathise with Michael Henchard. Elizabeth-Jane and Abel Whittle were the most genuine and likeable.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Return of the Native, highly underrated one from him in my opinion! I love that Eustacia Vye. So mystical and witchy, she is, but the language still rich and so entrenched with the Greeks and Shakespeare.
Oh thank God you mentioned this book. I just ordered it (along with 9 other Hardy books) and was looking for some sort of mention of it! I am glad you like it! I am so looking forward to reading it!
Hi. I thought I had read all of Hardys works over the years. But I recently came across A laodicean which I was impressed with. I think my favourites are Tess,,,, Jude,,, woodlanders and Mayor of casterbridge. My least favourites trumpet major and return of the native. Cheers.
I have kept this video to watch it when I had full time, and now I watch it as a de-stress tool. I have been wanting to read Tess for about three years now, and after watching your video I want it even more! You made me excited about all these books and to finally read Thomas Hardy. Don't think that will happen soon but hopefully sometime in the year! As always, you leave me wanting to read more books, more classics!
I've read all of Hardy's novels.My favorite five are:The Mayor of Casterbridge,Far from the Madding Crowd,Tess D'Ubervilles,The Return of the Native and the Woodlanders.
I was at a used Bookstore and as always theres always books on my list but i had only a few dollars in my pocket and i headed over to the used Books clearance section and there was A Thomas Hardy book with the title of the book a figure in the carpet and just out of a Whim i bought the book recently and its there at home waiting for me to read it.
I love Thomas Hardy’s novels but for me my favourite is “Return of the Native”. Such an evocative landscape in which his characters play out their story.
Mine is The Mayor of the Casterbridge(1886).I have read most of his novels and studied some few poems like" The Darkling Thrush,The Conversion of the Twain,The Man he killed"etc.I have not read any of his short stories.Tell me about it.
Im really grateful for your TW in tess of the d'urbervilles. That's something that would've caught me off guard and ruined my mindset for awhile lol. Appreciate you 💕
Read my first Hardy book Jude the Obscure for my 19th century british fiction class at uni. Really loved it, it is so very depressing yet fascinating and an amazing book! (Funnily no one in the seminar liked it, kinda astounded me) Got a copy of far from the maddinh crowd from a friend who got rid of it, so I am stoked to read it!
The Phd young professor guy (At Uni in England) at The Bookchemist read Jude the Obscure. I recommend his review to you because this guy hates everything written in 19th century. Mattia is into post-modern lit. But he loved Jude because it high lighted all what is wrong with this period. He did think book was depressing because the times were bad news for the common man. (You did good BTW).
I loved how you balanced these with the adaptations. I came to Hardy recently through one of the adaptations, Polanski's version of Tess and a friend suggested I read Jude the Obscure. To my surprise, I found out that Christminster, the main setting in Jude is based on Oxford. I had a chance to visit Oxford earlier this year and knew I must read this book. Some people say it's depressing but I love it so far. I would also call it a 'moral' novel in an intriguing way. I want to go on after this to Tess, look at some of Hardy's poetry and look into that lesser known Hardy Astronomy novel you mentioned. Great reviews.
I have enjoyed all of the books that I have read by Thomas Hardy. Actually my least favourite was Tess of the d'Urbervilles but I recently read Jude the Obscure and it is definitely my favourite Hardy so far. I also love Far from the Madding Crowd and think that Batsheba is one of the most well written female characters in his books. I am going to pick up The Woodlanders next I think since I have heard so many good things about it.
So far I have only read Far from the Madding Crowd & the Trumpet Major (in that order) & that was a fair number of years ago. I'd like to get into a few more of this books at least and have a few awaiting me on my bookshelves. But you did mention a couple I hadn't heard of so I will have to hunt them down too. So far Far from the Madding Crowd as sustained as one of my favourites across all the books I've read.
Perfect timing, this is just the book I need right now! I’m trying to kick myself into reading more classics and I think I’ll start with either Tess, Madding Crowd or Greenwood Tree 🤞
I just finished reading Hardy's The Well Beloved. It was on my bookshelf, and I needed something to read. I loved the Mayor of Casterbridge, Far from the Madding Crowd so I took a gander on this Hardy. It's a fairly slim volume, not an epic. It seems to be a platform for Hardy to psychoanalyze Victorian love. Using fiction as a vehicle, he explores the transitory nature of romantic obsession. I'm glad it wasn't a long book because I missed the great story telling of Crowd and Casterbridge. But it is worth an afternoon of reading.. enlightening to consider how debilitating obsession can be AND how pathetically fleeting.
Yes! Spreading love for Hardy around! He’s become one of my favorite authors, love his narrative, love his characters. I enjoyed The Mayor of Casterbridge so I highly recommend it. I stll have some of his books to read but I’m taking my time; I do know for sure though The Woodlanders will be my next read.
I love Hardy and have read and adored both Tess and Jude but I wish the would bring out all his novels in the one editions. Eg PEL or Clothbound. I have three or four different editions of his other books and I would love his novels in a beautiful set. Please publishers??
Huge TH fan and so cool to hear your thoughts on his novels. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve heard from Hardy but admit struggled greatly with A Laodicean. But one hard read compared to all the others is nothing. Absolutely love The Hand Of Ethelbreta - excellent ending! Love from the states, Lucy.
7:30 Interesting, your enthusiasm and empathy for the characters of Bathsheba, and other women, written by a man with great perception for the female! I suppose you have also seen the 60s film version with Stamp, Christie and Finch? Lovely contrast with Mulligan. The problem with Hardy is the beauty of his writing requires multiple readings, but I suppose Madding Crowd is my favourite (twice and both films twice, recently and with more to come).
I love Hardy and needed a video to convince a friend to read as I keep getting sidetracked when I do. I first read Tess 40 years ago and regularly reread all of them. Except Jude. 😧 I liked Two on a Tower so much I once wrote a screenplay for it. Then tried to rewrite as a Korean drama. 😅
Great video, thanks! I've been between 'Far from the Madding Crowd' and 'Nostromo' (Joseph Conrad) for my next read, but after watching this I'll definitely go with the former. Would be great to have a video like this on Anthony Trollope novels (hint, hint :) )
I have only read, Far from the Madding Crowd. I watched the new movie adaptation and I really liked it. I thought I would enjoy the book, but it took me forever to get through it. Way too many facts on sheep....Might be a while before I try another Hardy book....Maybe I started with the wrong one.
I love studying books, it adds so much more depth to books :) I am reading Far From the Madding Crowd and absolutely loving it haha I am not the only one comparing Thomas Hardy fitting in with YA love triangles :)
I'm a huge fan of classics, I have to admit the language and colloquialisms in hardy's books are rather difficult to my understanding. I would place his books right below the Scarlett Letter, when it comes to the language part.......or is it only me who feels that way?
I’ve read The major of Casterbridge, The woodlanders and Far from the Madding Crowd, in this order. And I’ve found every book better than the previous one. I don’t know which one will be the next, Jude the obscure or Tess of d’urbervilles. Which one would you recommend me?
Oh ! "Far from the maddening crowd " & " The woodlanders" " The Trumpet Major. .... I just wanted to hear from someone...what about Mayor of the Casterbridge ¿
apparently I'm the only non English native speaking person in this channel , and this is probably the only non-feminist comment , anyway can you do "far from the madding crowd" review ??
Hardy is a writer whose works, by and large, are still waiting for me to start digging into. I have read "Tess" but enjoyed far more "The Mayor of Casterbridge", a bitter sweet novel if ever there was one. Your enthusiasm for and appreciation of Hardy is delightful--but please..No more using TW for any novel. Anyone who is reading Hardy should be mature enough to cope with scenes jarring or unpleasant and can be treated as adults ( even if still doing A levels).
Carey Mulligan was badly miscast as Bathsheba. Another way of putting this is to say Mulligan had no idea who Bathsheba is , or one can say she is a bad actress. Mulligan ruined movie while the guy who played Gabriel oak saved the movie. Carey Mulligan has an annoying way of smiling her way through all her lines. This is not Thomas Hardy and his female characters, especially in Far From the Madding Crowd. It’s amazing to me that so often English readers and academics misunderstand what Hardy is trying to say ultimately. They have a shaky understanding of their own very brilliant writer. I have the perspective of a today reader who can look at Hardy in a fresh outlook without the baggage of the Victorian class perspective. Also, academics seem to think the moral implications woven into Harding’s novels are dated. It would be so refreshing to see some Oxford or U of London kid do some work in using Harding’s moralisms and tragedies to help slap some of these London twits in the face.
I believe I am 5 years away from your uploading date. Still, I really adore it. It is so expressive❤
So glad that someone on Booktube shares my love for Hardy 😚 great video
Well, I've just finished The Woodlanders about 5 mins ago.
445 pp in just three days.
I was a fan of Hardy, but this just left me gasping. It was stunning!
Beautiful, touching story, wonderful prose.
In the last 3 years, I've read 250 novels and factual/ history/ science books, but few of my ~60 Classics.
So, having rearranged my bookcase, I'm setting off on a Classics spree tomorrow!
I've read Tess as it was required reading for a course. I was nervous, worried that 1) I wouldn't understand it or 2) find it unbearably boring. It was neither and I flew through the first reading of it pleasantly surprised at how engaged I was in the story. I think readers who like the darker and more dramatic Bronte books would like Tess as well.
I have to say, I absolutely love you channel, because you talk so much about my favourite English classics. Thomas Hardy is one of my favourite writers, but I will probably recommend Far from the Madding Crowd, it is so lovely and some parts even cheeky which is not something I expect from his books. I think that Jude the Obscure is the most dark and depressing, but still master piece. Lovely video.❤
What did you think of the return of the native?
I liked the 1967 film of Far from the Madding Crowd with Julie Christie.
The penguin classic version of Tess is excellent, it’s based on the early edition which was modified in later “Wessex” versions.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles is such a wonderful book! -Emma
Thanks for the video, Lucy!
Far From The Madding Crowd is truly special to me. When I was very young, I saw the title on the back of another book I was reading, and it just attracted me right away. Took me years to finally be able to sit down and read it. Just like you, I read it in the spring - you're right, the season makes the reading even more phenomenal.
I love this book a lot. The story stays with you. Gabriel Oak is one of the best characters I have come across. Loved his portrayal in the 2015 movie! Excellent soundtrack too. ❤
I'm here after just finishing Far from the Madding Crowd which I loved sooooo much! I made the mistake of starting with Jude the Obscure which is definitely not the best beginner Hardy. Now I've read Tess, Under the Greenwood Tree and Far From the Madding Crowd I have a much better and understanding of his work and am really developing a love for his writing and the world of Wessex. 💛 I should have started with this video!
I've read Far From the Madding Crowd and Tess of the D'Urbervilles and I am now reading The Mayor of Casterbridge. Loving it. The 2003 miniseries with Ciaran Hinds in the lead role is also great.
So glad to see a kindred spirit for whom the woodlanders is such a moving read. I read the very last paragraph over and over to remind myself what true love is all about .
i started with 'a far from madding crowd'. i dont know why i love it.. perhaps, it is my first book of him.. very interesting love story
THANKS!!! I really mantain my hope for humanity when I see youtubers posting recommended classics !!! That was what I was looking for. THanks again so much!!!
He is incredible writer. For me the greatest .Read these books they are incredible
Such a shame that I have only just seen this. What a beautiful passion. I now want to read all of his books. I remember when I was young, that my mother was a fan, "Far From the Madding Crowd" was her favourite. So, I was sure they would be very boring, and went in the direction of Wilbur Smith and Stephen King (not that there was, or is anything wrong with that). Now I am in my later years I appreciate depth to a novel over action. Is that me getting old and weary, or a recognition of an intelligence that may not have been awake all those years ago? Having never been a TV watcher, I'm unaware of the video adaptations, so I can now dive in to the water, free of expectations or comparisons. Thank you, Lucy, whether I dive or am pushed, you have certainly influenced me.
I would recommend The Mayor of Casterbridge as a good book to pick up next, unless you want something really dark in which case go for Jude the Obscure. I recently read Desperate Remedies which has a more sensational fiction style to it so its good as something different from Hardy but not one of my personal favourites. Like you, I am hoping to read all of Hardy’s works soon as he is one of my favourite authors and having grown up in Dorset I love reading about places I know well.
I love Thomas Hardy novels, The Woodlanders was first book I’ve read. I was hooked. The books I read are; Tess, Mayor of Casterbridge, Desperate Remedies, Return of the Native, Jude the Obscure, Far from the Madding Crowd
I've read Jude The Obscure, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, and Return Of The Native.
Certainly the random thing that precipitates Tess's downward spiral takes human form in Parson Tringham. But for me it is even more sublime as an alagory of 'fate happening on your way'.
I love Hardy too. He is one of my two favorite authors along with Steinbeck. My favorites so far are Far from the Madding Crowd, The Woodlanders, and Tess.
Steinbeck is one of my favorites too.
I would definitely read Jude the Obscure and the Mayor of Casterbridge, two of his best, up there with Tess of the Duibervilles
Love your passion for Hardy. Any Hardy reader is a friend of mine. My top 5 in order: 1. Madding Crowd 2. Mayor of Casterbridge 3. The Return of the Native 4. The Woodlanders 5. Tess 6. Two on a Tower 7. Jude. 8. A Pair of Blue Eyes. I’m still working through the rest. Why is Tess #5? It’s such a heartbreaker. Reading Hardy has been one of the great things in my life. I sometimes imagine running away and living as a worker on Bathsheba’s sheep farm “far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife”. There are some wonderful short stories and poems too.
I’m a great Thomas Hardy admirer.My favourite books are Far from the madding crowd,Tess ,and The mayor of Casterbridge.Thank you for your video.Loved it.Expect to see more.
The last book I finished was The Woodlanders, and I agree with what you're saying - really heartwretching and powerful despite/because of all the irritating choices and events during the novel.
I've also read Under the GreenWood Tree, Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd (in that order), and I think you sum them up very nicely. And I totally see what you mean when you say that spring and autumn are the best times to read Hardy!
I’ve just started Tess for my Alevel and I am loving it and can’t wait to read far from the madding crowd in the holidays! This was such a good video to get an overview of Hardys work x
I became a fan of TH when I read Tess for my A levels in 1972. Have since read them all and now collect audio books wherever possible. Enjoyable, particularly where there is a good narrator. Always watch out for film adaptations, the best for me being Far From The Madding Crowd with Judy Christie et al. agree
Have you read Mrs. Gaskell's books? I'm looking forward to seeing your remarks on those. BTW, this was a terrific video. I'm halfway through Jude the Obscure with only the Mayor of Casterbridge, of the major works, left. Your comments about Tess and Madding perfectly capture my feelings. Despite the tragic outcomes in some of his works, there remains hope, and love, and respect for the world of Wessex and through them, for us.
The Mayor Of Casterbridge is the only Hardy book I ever read. I was 14 at the time and disliked the depressing plot but was impressed by the way he created the characters and the way he was able to get readers to eventually sympathise with Michael Henchard. Elizabeth-Jane and Abel Whittle were the most genuine and likeable.
I just started reading “The Woodlanders” because of you! And I’m really really really enjoying it and will definitely read more!
can u give me all hardy'q books .i mean books titles
I've read three of his books, but I've been kind of confused as to where to go from there. This has been so helpful, thank you!
I’m currently reading Far From the Madding Crowd and really liking it!!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Return of the Native, highly underrated one from him in my opinion! I love that Eustacia Vye. So mystical and witchy, she is, but the language still rich and so entrenched with the Greeks and Shakespeare.
That's my favourite, and a good one to start with I should say.
Yes! I read it last year and it’s been my favourite of Hardy’s ever since.
Oh thank God you mentioned this book. I just ordered it (along with 9 other Hardy books) and was looking for some sort of mention of it! I am glad you like it! I am so looking forward to reading it!
Hi. I thought I had read all of Hardys works over the years. But I recently came across A laodicean which I was impressed with. I think my favourites are Tess,,,, Jude,,, woodlanders and
Mayor of casterbridge. My least favourites trumpet major and return of the native. Cheers.
I really love your reviews , they are deep and clever, and of course your lovely British accent, greetings from Barcelona
I have kept this video to watch it when I had full time, and now I watch it as a de-stress tool. I have been wanting to read Tess for about three years now, and after watching your video I want it even more! You made me excited about all these books and to finally read Thomas Hardy. Don't think that will happen soon but hopefully sometime in the year!
As always, you leave me wanting to read more books, more classics!
I've read all of Hardy's novels.My favorite five are:The Mayor of Casterbridge,Far from the Madding Crowd,Tess D'Ubervilles,The Return of the Native and the Woodlanders.
I was at a used Bookstore and as always theres always books on my list but i had only a few dollars in my pocket and i headed over to the used Books clearance section and there was A Thomas Hardy book with the title of the book a figure in the carpet and just out of a Whim i bought the book recently and its there at home waiting for me to read it.
Tess is my favorite and one of my favorite classics. I’m about to finish Jude the Obscure and I’m really enjoying that one as well. Great video!
Glad to hear you’re enjoying Jude the Obscure!
I love Thomas Hardy’s novels but for me my favourite is “Return of the Native”. Such an evocative landscape in which his characters play out their story.
Thanks for such a skilled introduction!
Mine is The Mayor of the Casterbridge(1886).I have read most of his novels and studied some few poems like" The Darkling Thrush,The Conversion of the Twain,The Man he killed"etc.I have not read any of his short stories.Tell me about it.
Im really grateful for your TW in tess of the d'urbervilles. That's something that would've caught me off guard and ruined my mindset for awhile lol.
Appreciate you 💕
Read my first Hardy book Jude the Obscure for my 19th century british fiction class at uni. Really loved it, it is so very depressing yet fascinating and an amazing book! (Funnily no one in the seminar liked it, kinda astounded me) Got a copy of far from the maddinh crowd from a friend who got rid of it, so I am stoked to read it!
Indah Sparreboom Jude is my favorite Hardy so far
Jude the Obscure is my favorite Hardy 💜
The Phd young professor guy (At Uni in England) at The Bookchemist read Jude the Obscure. I recommend his review to you because this guy hates everything written in 19th century. Mattia is into post-modern lit. But he loved Jude because it high lighted all what is wrong with this period. He did think book was depressing because the times were bad news for the common man. (You did good BTW).
I loved how you balanced these with the adaptations. I came to Hardy recently through one of the adaptations, Polanski's version of Tess and a friend suggested I read Jude the Obscure. To my surprise, I found out that Christminster, the main setting in Jude is based on Oxford. I had a chance to visit Oxford earlier this year and knew I must read this book. Some people say it's depressing but I love it so far. I would also call it a 'moral' novel in an intriguing way. I want to go on after this to Tess, look at some of Hardy's poetry and look into that lesser known Hardy Astronomy novel you mentioned. Great reviews.
I have enjoyed all of the books that I have read by Thomas Hardy. Actually my least favourite was Tess of the d'Urbervilles but I recently read Jude the Obscure and it is definitely my favourite Hardy so far. I also love Far from the Madding Crowd and think that Batsheba is one of the most well written female characters in his books. I am going to pick up The Woodlanders next I think since I have heard so many good things about it.
So far I have only read Far from the Madding Crowd & the Trumpet Major (in that order) & that was a fair number of years ago. I'd like to get into a few more of this books at least and have a few awaiting me on my bookshelves. But you did mention a couple I hadn't heard of so I will have to hunt them down too. So far Far from the Madding Crowd as sustained as one of my favourites across all the books I've read.
I've read Tess and Far From the Madding Crowd so far and loved them both. I'm hoping to pick up The Mayor of Casterbridge next. Love this series :)
Perfect timing, this is just the book I need right now! I’m trying to kick myself into reading more classics and I think I’ll start with either Tess, Madding Crowd or Greenwood Tree 🤞
Just finished FFTHC. Loved it.
also i love the mayor of casterbridge and jude the obscure so so much!!
I love Jude, my spaniel's name is Jude the Span xxx
I've always liked "A Pair of Blue Eyes".
Lovely book/ story.
I have just 50pp to go.......
I just finished reading Hardy's The Well Beloved. It was on my bookshelf, and I needed something to read. I loved the Mayor of Casterbridge, Far from the Madding Crowd so I took a gander on this Hardy. It's a fairly slim volume, not an epic. It seems to be a platform for Hardy to psychoanalyze Victorian love. Using fiction as a vehicle, he explores the transitory nature of romantic obsession. I'm glad it wasn't a long book because I missed the great story telling of Crowd and Casterbridge. But it is worth an afternoon of reading.. enlightening to consider how debilitating obsession can be AND how pathetically fleeting.
Yes! Spreading love for Hardy around! He’s become one of my favorite authors, love his narrative, love his characters. I enjoyed The Mayor of Casterbridge so I highly recommend it. I stll have some of his books to read but I’m taking my time; I do know for sure though The Woodlanders will be my next read.
I love Hardy and have read and adored both Tess and Jude but I wish the would bring out all his novels in the one editions. Eg PEL or Clothbound. I have three or four different editions of his other books and I would love his novels in a beautiful set. Please publishers??
Haven't seen u in ages girl...miss u blogs 😪
Not forgetting his poetry!
Huge TH fan and so cool to hear your thoughts on his novels. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve heard from Hardy but admit struggled greatly with A Laodicean. But one hard read compared to all the others is nothing. Absolutely love The Hand Of Ethelbreta - excellent ending! Love from the states, Lucy.
7:30 Interesting, your enthusiasm and empathy for the characters of Bathsheba, and other women, written by a man with great perception for the female!
I suppose you have also seen the 60s film version with Stamp, Christie and Finch? Lovely contrast with Mulligan.
The problem with Hardy is the beauty of his writing requires multiple readings, but I suppose Madding Crowd is my favourite (twice and both films twice, recently and with more to come).
I love Hardy and needed a video to convince a friend to read as I keep getting sidetracked when I do. I first read Tess 40 years ago and regularly reread all of them. Except Jude. 😧
I liked Two on a Tower so much I once wrote a screenplay for it. Then tried to rewrite as a Korean drama. 😅
He is half Victorian half Morden, thematically he is modernist, but used Victorian literary style.
Thank you for this video! I only own Tess of the D'Ubervilles and wasn't sure if I should start with that one :p
I recently found your channel, and I LOVE the videos where you go into depth about the works of one author like this! I’d love to see more ♥️
You speak english very clearly. I am a brazilian. Where are you from? I want to read Hardy.
Have the cover of Tess of thedurbervillie of Thomas Hardy 1895
Please consider ms part of your club. I recently finished reading 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' and was seriously moved by the story
Lucy! Welcome back! I’ve missed you ❤️👍🏾
My favourite is Jude the obscure
Great video, thanks! I've been between 'Far from the Madding Crowd' and 'Nostromo' (Joseph Conrad) for my next read, but after watching this I'll definitely go with the former. Would be great to have a video like this on Anthony Trollope novels (hint, hint :) )
I have only read, Far from the Madding Crowd. I watched the new movie adaptation and I really liked it. I thought I would enjoy the book, but it took me forever to get through it. Way too many facts on sheep....Might be a while before I try another Hardy book....Maybe I started with the wrong one.
If you want to read a great essay about Thomas Hardy,you should find DH Lawrence,s essay on Hardy. It is a great read.
I love studying books, it adds so much more depth to books :)
I am reading Far From the Madding Crowd and absolutely loving it
haha I am not the only one comparing Thomas Hardy fitting in with YA love triangles :)
How do you study books?
wow tomas hardy is amazing
I want to know what u think of the mayor of casterbridge .
I got two recommendations.
I have 3 more books for you ~
Jude, Casterbridge and Return of the Native
I'm a huge fan of classics, I have to admit the language and colloquialisms in hardy's books are rather difficult to my understanding. I would place his books right below the Scarlett Letter, when it comes to the language part.......or is it only me who feels that way?
I’ve read The major of Casterbridge, The woodlanders and Far from the Madding Crowd, in this order. And I’ve found every book better than the previous one.
I don’t know which one will be the next, Jude the obscure or Tess of d’urbervilles. Which one would you recommend me?
Love this girl!❤️ I hope I have a friend like heeeer😭
Just found out your channel and it is one of a kind!
Thank you!
Oh ! "Far from the maddening crowd " & " The woodlanders" " The Trumpet Major. .... I just wanted to hear from someone...what about Mayor of the Casterbridge ¿
I love The Return of the Native, although I wasn’t very keen on the ending...
I have the the cover of cover that the book of Tess Of The DURBzeR
Great video!
Thank you, Gayatri!
Splendid video...!!
hi Lucy greetings from Morocco
Good video but hold the book steady next time. My favorite English writer is Tolkien. My favorite all time book is THREE CUPS OF TEA.
try little women by louisa may alcott
apparently I'm the only non English native speaking person in this channel , and this is probably the only non-feminist comment , anyway can you do "far from the madding crowd" review ??
This was the guy whom admiral Nelson wanted a kiss from?.... (yes, I know that was a different Thomas Hardy...)
Hardy is a writer whose works, by and large, are still waiting for me to start digging into. I have read "Tess" but enjoyed far more "The Mayor of Casterbridge", a bitter sweet novel if ever there was one. Your enthusiasm for and appreciation of Hardy is delightful--but please..No more using TW for any novel. Anyone who is reading Hardy should be mature enough to cope with scenes jarring or unpleasant and can be treated as adults ( even if still doing A levels).
Hey luci you look gorgeous!
Carey Mulligan was badly miscast as Bathsheba. Another way of putting this is to say Mulligan had no idea who Bathsheba is , or one can say she is a bad actress. Mulligan ruined movie while the guy who played Gabriel oak saved the movie. Carey Mulligan has an annoying way of smiling her way through all her lines. This is not Thomas Hardy and his female characters, especially in Far From the Madding Crowd. It’s amazing to me that so often English readers and academics misunderstand what Hardy is trying to say ultimately. They have a shaky understanding of their own very brilliant writer. I have the perspective of a today reader who can look at Hardy in a fresh outlook without the baggage of the Victorian class perspective. Also, academics seem to think the moral implications woven into Harding’s novels are dated. It would be so refreshing to see some Oxford or U of London kid do some work in using Harding’s moralisms and tragedies to help slap some of these London twits in the face.
Is there any transphobia or heteronormativity in these books? I have some penguin classics but they don’t have trigger warnings😢
jude the obscure
Plz add with your voice the subtitle please
Why is a realist regarded as a pessimist ?
Tess is a goddess.
U r beautiful.. remind me of Bathsheba and Grace😍
👂💓
Good madam
Babe you look like an angel
Tess is so poor. She doesn't deserve any of the sufferings.