Product Description

Thomas Hardy's novels are loved by millions of readers, but he was first and foremost a poet. He wrote around one thousand moving and deeply personal poems during his lifetime, tracing his experiences of life and love. This collection, selected and introduced by Claire Tomalin, Hardy's biographer, provides rich insight into Hardy's thoughts and emotions, and is central to the understanding of the man and his work. Divided into sections that move through the contours of Hardy's life - the English countryside in which he walked and the astonishing burst of creativity that followed the death of his estranged wife, Emma - this collection is essential for all those who love Hardy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3015 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

Synopsis
When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting her 'cousin' Alec proves to be her downfall. A very different man, Angel Clare, seems to offer her love and salvation, but Tess must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future. With its sensitive depiction of the wronged Tess and powerful criticism of social convention, Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the most moving and poetic of Hardy's novels.

About the Author
Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928) was an English poet, short-story writer and novelist. The son of a stonemason, he was born in Dorset. He was apprenticed to a local architect, and found initial success with Far from the Madding Crowd (1874). The same year he met and married Emma Gifford. Among his most famous works are The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), and Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891).

Customer Reviews

An Excellent work of art ..
Hardy examines the difficulties in the life of a women and explores the inner feelings of Tess during the events that happened to her. The novel brings you the ages old question of fate and free will and he left it on the reader to decide if they really are free in this world to live the life as they want to.

An excellent novel that still can be related to the situation of women in today's society. We believe that women is now independent and liberated from the burdens of social nomrs and is now living according to her free will. But is it really true? Read the novel and you will realize how wrong you are if you think like this, you will be reminded of many women that you personally know who were exploited by someone in the same manner. Only the time is different and perhaps the names.

Work of Art
I'm in love with this book. Truely amazing. I know Tess is just a fictional protagonist but I truely believed her character and was moved especially by the last few pages of the book. If there is one book you should read before you die it just certainly be this one.

Genius
I think that Thomas Hardy's poetry lends his description a lovely rhythm, and the bleakly tragic story is one of the most moving I've ever read.
My complaint is only that the portrayal of Tess as pure and virtuous, etc. becomes slightly irritating after a while.