Thomas Hardy (Routledge Revivals) - Softcover

Page, Norman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415678269 ISBN 13: 9780415678261

Publisher: Routledge, 2012

Synopsis

First published in 1977, this concise and insightful study of the life and works of Thomas Hardy provides a thorough examination of Hardy's literary output. Alongside a brief biography of Hardy's life, Professor Page's study also spotlights his major and minor novels, his short stories, his non-fiction prose and his verse.

About this title

Review:

'In this concise study, Page has given Hardy's readers an admirable and sensible point of reference to all the works. In his own brief account of Hardy's life and career he is direct and matter of fact. The reader of this book will find he has a reliable guide and a provocative guide.' - Tribune

'The great virtue of this book is that it is written in a transparently clear and always readable style. As a handbook to Hardy it will be of great value to the student who wishes to be a given a map not only of the major novels but, but the lesser known ones as well, and of the poetry, The Dynasts, and the miscellaneous prose writings ... if the chief qualifications of a guide are initimate knowledge of the country and soundness of judgement, all who want leading through Wessex will find Professor Page a reliable and responsible guide. ' - British Book News

'This is one of the best post-war Hardy books' - Notes and Queries

'Page's Thomas Hardy is an uncommonly good and lively introduction to its subject.' - Year's Work in English Studies

From the Back Cover:

This book is designed to serve as a practical guide for students and others wishing to improve their skills in the detailed analysis and discussion of Hardy's prose texts. Its aim is to sharpen readers' awareness of the complexity and subtlety of Hardy's art by encouraging responsiveness to such aspects as language and style, imagery and symbol, descriptive and dramatic method and narrative technique. At the same time extracts are considered not in isolation but in relation to the overall purposes of a highly-organised text.

While the main focus is on four of Hardy's most-widely read novels, the twenty-four examples of close analysis cover six major themes that are relevant to all his fiction. There are also numerous references to his other writings in prose and verse. The second part of the book provides, in succinct form, essential background material, including an outline of Hardy's life and career and an account of the literary, historical and intellectual contexts of his fiction. As well as a guide to further reading, a chapter is devoted to samples of criticism illustrating a range of approaches to the chosen texts and representing the work of important critics past and present.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0415678269
• ISBN 13: 9780415678261
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 214