Thomas Hardy (British and Irish Authors) - Hardcover

Butler, Lance St John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521217431 ISBN 13: 9780521217439

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1978

Synopsis

This study of Thomas Hardy provides a substantial introduction to his six major novels and his poems. It deals more briefly with the minor fiction. Hardy now seems a more important novelist and poet than at any previous time. This is only partly due to his capabilities as a social historian or provincial chronicler. Far more important is his faithful exploration of the daily trials and tragedies of men and women as feeling beings. Man and woman in love, man and woman 'up against it', are the central themes of his fiction and poetry. His ability to universalise his tragic material, in which he is akin to Shakespeare, is seen as his abiding achievement. Detailed analyses are made of some crucial passages in the major novels and a serious attempt is made to counter the proposition that Hardy 'wrote badly'.

About this title

Review

"...a welcome and overdue attempt to provide a comprehensive assessment of the creative achivevment of West Germany's only Nobel laureate...a well-researched, tightly edited and lucidly written book, which succeeds admirably in its aims." Frank Finlay, TLS

Book Description

Thomas Hardy now seems a more important novelist and poet than at any previous time. This study provides a substantial introduction to his six major novels and his poems. Foregrounding his ability to universalise his tragic material, it also sets out to counter the proposition that Hardy 'wrote badly'.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1978
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521217431
• ISBN 13: 9780521217439
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 181