#readingthomashardy

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Under The Greenwood Tree was a perfect “just what I needed,” mini dose of Thomas Hardy and proved that he’s not just about the melancholy and the hopeless (although that is also why I love him 🤣). This short novel tells the story of Fancy Day, the new school mistress and her complicated romantic relationships with Dick Dewey and characteristically of Hardy, some other potential suitors.⁣ ⁣ Much of the heart of this novel covers the charming community in the village of Mellstock or most specifically the village choir (quire) who delight in singing under folks’ windows late at night and who get some mixed reactions to their joyful voices, as you may imagine! They are devastated when they are told that they can no longer perform in the church, the vicar has asked Fancy to play as the new organist. That’s not all he asks her - wink, wink, nudge, nudge. 😃⁣ ⁣ This is a pleasant, quiet and unassuming read. I don’t think it’s the greatest example of Hardy’s work but then I am all about the dark and miserable so perhaps I’m not the best judge! Dick is a likeable Hardy hero but I have to admit myself irritated with Fancy, her naivety regarding the decisions she made did not endear her to me as a character and I also felt that she didn’t understand the potential consequences of her actions. ⁣ ⁣ Nonetheless this is an easy, amusing and gentle novel and as always, Hardy’s love for the country and their people is delightful. ⁣ ⁣ Three and a half stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 💫 ⁣ #bookstagram #bookreview #scottishbookstagrammer #underthegreenwoodtree #thomashardy #hardyfangirl #readingthomashardy #bookssetinthecountryside #fancyday #dickdewey #thomashardynovels #shortclassics #thomashardyhumour https://www.instagram.com/p/CivMRFrLSWh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’ve been having a wonderful time experiencing some of Thomas Hardy’s novels in the #greatthomashardyreadalong2022 with some wonderful bookstagrammers. The Mayor Of Casterbridge was a novel I had been aware of but never read so it was fun to pick it up, especially with such an intriguing premise. ⁣ ⁣ Michael Henchard sells his wife and baby daughter when drunk for five guineas and regrets it shortly afterwards. He manages to make a respectable living for himself as the Mayor of Casterbridge but his past comes back to haunt him when his wife and grown daughter arrive in Casterbridge, seeking him out. ⁣ ⁣ I love the idea of “reaping what you sow,” which seems to be a common theme of Hardy’s through his books. Henchard is an utterly unlikeable character from the very beginning and even though he pledges 21 years of sobriety following his catastrophic mistake, he still makes bad decisions and treats those he professes to love in a terrible way. ⁣ ⁣ It was interesting to read a book from Hardy where his female characters don’t take centre stage as much and I’m not sure if it suffered a little for that - I didn’t feel as if they were as fleshed out as what I’ve come to expect with Hardy. Saying that, perhaps writing Henchard was exhausting enough for any author! I did even feel sorry for him at some points but within a chapter or two I was reminded what a fool he was and that my sympathy was better placed with his wife (former wife?) Susan. ⁣ ⁣ I also enjoyed that Hardy does still throw a few surprises in through the novel. There were a couple of unexpected twists, food for thought and moments where I just had to admire him for the amazing author that he is, holding my attention right until the end. It might not be my favourite Hardy but like Jane Austen might say: “it may improve on closer acquaintance.”⁣ ⁣ 3.5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 💫 ⁣ ⁣ ⁣#bookstagram #scottishbookstagrammer #themayorofcasterbridge #thomashardy #readingclassicnovels #readingthomashardy #bookreview #hardyfanclub #thomashardybooks #thomashardyauthor #gettinglostinabook #buddyreadingfun ⁣ https://www.instagram.com/p/ChnIh17r2DN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I read The Woodlanders as part of #thegreatthomashardyreadalong2022 as organised by the lovely @pezzasclassicbooks and @annathebooksiread and honestly this group has been one of my favourite things this year. I’ve loved getting to know Hardy a bit more as a writer and marvelling at his characterisation, nature writing and heady mix between melancholy and laughter. ⁣ ⁣ The Woodlanders was no exception. It follows a small community who base their livelihood around the nearby forest. Our heroine Grace Melbury has returned from boarding school and has had a prior understanding with a humble woodlander, Giles Winterbourne however her father has set his sights higher - on the new local doctor in fact, Edred Fitzpiers as a more suitable marriage prospect. After rejecting Giles, the reader is taken along a fascinating narrative which encompasses betrayal, ideals of class, honour, pride and devastation. ⁣ ⁣ I don’t want to give too much away about the novel, save to say that if you’re used to Hardy and the way he writes, you’ll be aware that there is a real mixture between the amusing and the somber moments. I have to admit, I didn’t rate Grace very highly at the beginning ;(she’s no Tess of the D’Urbervilles!) and it was only halfway through where I found Hardy put some more meat on the bones of her character and gave her a well needed backbone (and some excellent snarky lines!).⁣ ⁣ As I expected, some of the other character development - in particular Giles, Fitzpiers and the widower Felice Charmond was so effective that I frequently found myself either sympathetic, rolling my eyes or even incensed by certain behaviours. He really knows how to write individuals that get under your skin and make you feel a certain way either positively or negatively. That’s one of the very many reasons why I’ll always look forward to reading another Thomas Hardy novel and I already can’t wait for our next read! ⁣ ⁣ 3.5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 💫 ⁣ ⁣ #bookstagram #scottishbookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #readingtheclassics #thomashardyliterature #thomashardyloversunite #thewoodlanders #booksandflowers #bookswithnatureonthecover #hardylovers #readingthomashardy https://www.instagram.com/p/CgsGWy2L17g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’m delighted to be joining in with the #greatthomashardyreadalong2022 organised by the lovely @annathebooksiread and @pezzasclassicbooks after only having read two books by him before - Return Of The Native and Tess Of The D’Urbervilles. The Trumpet Major was definitely an interesting read for me, I didn’t expect it to be so humorous firstly and I had also completely forgotten how beautifully Hardy writes about nature and landscapes.⁣ ⁣ The Trumpet Major follows our heroine Anne Garland as three very different gentlemen pursue her as suitors. There is the eponymous trumpet major of the title, John Loveday, his brother, a sailor called Bob and Festus Derriman, the irritating nephew of a local squire. ⁣ ⁣ The path of true love never runs smooth, (particularly in a Hardy novel) but my takeaway from this novel has to be how Hardy isn’t afraid to surprise the reader - that is, expect the unexpected! I’m not a huge fan of romance in novels, it has to be done “just right,” and it has to be believable. So whilst Anne Garland wasn’t my favourite Hardy heroine, I loved the way I wasn’t able to predict the outcome. ⁣ ⁣ Furthermore, Hardy can be funny! Who knew? His wry humour, particularly with Festus’ uncle made me smile on more than one occasion. He’s also a master at creating characters that really get under your skin and become incredibly frustrating (step forward Festus!). All in all, I wouldn’t say this is a favourite of mine by the author but I really did appreciate reading something with a different tone and rhythm to it. I’d recommend for any Hardy fans or those new to his work that don’t feel up to his trademark misery/tragedy.⁣ ⁣ Three and a half stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 💫 ⁣ ⁣ #bookstagram #bookreview #bookreader #bookreviewer #thomashardy #thetrumpetmajor #classicbooks #readingthomashardy #buddyreads #scottishbookstagrammer #readingoninstagram #chattingaboutbooks #thomashardyfan https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce_5fDiLA9F/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=