The Well-Beloved with The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved (Wordsworth Classics) - Softcover

Hardy, Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1840224053 ISBN 13: 9781840224054

Publisher: Wordsworth Editions, 2000

Synopsis

Introduction and Notes by Jane Thomas, University of Hull.

The Well-Beloved completes the cycle of Hardy's great novels, reiterating his favourite themes of man's eternal quest for perfection in both love and art, and the suffering that ensues. Jocelyn Pierston, celebrated sculptor, tries to create an image of his ideal woman - his imaginary Well-Beloved - in stone, just as he tries to find her in the flesh.

Powerful symbolism marks this romantic fantasy that Hardy has grounded firmly in reality with a characteristically authentic rendering of location, the Isle of Slingers, or Portland as we know it. Overt exploration of the relationship between erotic fascination and creativity makes this novel a nineteenth-century landmark in the persistent debate about art, aesthetics and gender.

This volume breaks new ground by including in full the 1892 serialised version of the novel The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved.

About this title

Synopsis

This book has an introduction and notes by Jane Thomas, of the University of Hull. "The Well-Beloved" completes the cycle of Hardy's great novels, reiterating his favourite themes of man's eternal quest for perfection in both love and art, and the suffering that ensues. Jocelyn Pierston, celebrated sculptor, tries to create an image of his ideal woman - his imaginary "Well-Beloved" - in stone, just as he tries to find her in the flesh. Powerful symbolism marks this romantic fantasy that Hardy has grounded firmly in reality with a characteristically authentic rendering of location, the Isle of Slingers, or Portland as we know it. Overt exploration of the relationship between erotic fascination and creativity makes this novel a nineteenth-century landmark in the persistent debate about art, aesthetics and gender.

About the Author

Thomas Hardy was a poet and novelist of the naturalist movement. He trained as an architect. He was a religious man who was also deeply influenced by Darwin and fascinated by ghosts and spirits. During his lifetime, he was best known for his novels. His stories combine nuanced description of natural surroundings with the sense of impending moral crisis. He claimed that poetry was his first love, though, and in recent years his poetry has received much critical acclaim.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wordsworth Editions
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1840224053
• ISBN 13: 9781840224054
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368