Our Exploits at West Poley

by Thomas Hardy, John Lawrence (Illustrator)

While exploring a cave, two boys divert the course of a stream and set off a strange chain of events.

Genres: Classics

78 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1893

About the author

Thomas Hardy, OM, was an English author of the naturalist movement, although in several poems he displays elements of the previous romantic and enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural. He regarded himself primarily as a poet and composed novels mainly for financial gain.

The bulk of his work, set mainly in the semi-fictional land of Wessex, delineates characters struggling against their passions and circumstances. Hardy's poetry, first published in his 50s, has come to be as well regarded as his novels, especially after The Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

The term cliffhanger is considered to have originated with Thomas Hardy's serial novel A Pair of Blue Eyes in 1873. In the novel, Hardy chose to leave one of his protagonists, Knight, literally hanging off a cliff staring into the stony eyes of a trilobite embedded in the rock that has been dead for millions of years. This became the archetypal — and literal — cliff-hanger of Victorian prose.

Excerpted from Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful little book - a nice quick read. Very different to Hardy's usual fiction of course as the intended audience were children. The language is not what many children today would be used to reading - and although descriptive in parts it is much less so than say the novels. Two boys exploring some caves, discover how to divert the course of a river that flows through West Poley, their actions cause havoc, and they enjoy weilding such power over the villages of East and West Poley. However they are soon endangered by their own actions, and are of course taught a sharp lesson. Without, I hope, giving too much away there isn't the bleak and terrible ending of so much of Hardy's adult fiction in this one.

[Rommel Manosalvas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estuvo interesante, nunca he leído nada de Thomas Hardy. Tengo pendiente Tess y sus otros libros. Esta, teniendo en cuenta que es su única novela infantil, es rápida de leer y bastante entretenida.

[Satcha Fernandez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Me aburrí tanto… y siento que era complejo el vocabulario para una lectura infantil

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

like a few chapters of Tom Sawyer as written by William Dean Howells.

[Ruth Fleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Hardy, even if it is aimed at younger people. Full of peril and jokes and lovely countryside.

[PenNPaper52 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only children's book written by Thomas Hardy, it was quick fun read about the adventures of two boys in the town of West Poley. Leonard has come to visit his cuz Steve and together they set about exploring the nearby hill and its caves. During their exploration they discover a small stream and alter the way it flows which causes a catastrophe in their village. The book has an unusual story line, I have yet to read of such a tale, its engrossing at times, boring at times, but mostly it gives a rushed feeling. The story was apparently lost for 70 years and was written in 1883 for the Boston magazine 'Youth's Companion'. If you have a few hours to wile away, pick up this book, you will not be disappointed.

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as anything JK Rolling has put out and assumes our children are more intelligent than most youth oriented reading material typically assumes. Also, though fashioned to interest children with its gripping plot and simple dialogue, OUR EXPLOITS fits with the tradition of Tess and Jude, tales of simple people molded by fate, tales of the underdogs, their defeat, and ultimate retribution.

[J. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-paced instructive story for any sensible young person.

[Mustafa Rushan · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Bu romanın ərsəyə gəlməsində hər nə qədər rolum olsa da, əsəri oxumamışdım... ümumi haqqında məlumatım vardı... amma kitabı çap olunduqdan sonra oxudum...
- Tomas Hardini yəqin çoxları tanıyır... Mən onun "Far from the Madding Crowd" romanı əsasında çəkilən (2015) filmi ilə tanış olmuşdum... Düzü klassika mənə yaddır...Oxumaq üçün artıq güc sərf eləməliyəm... amma işlədiyim nəşriyyatda, Libra Kitab, bu yazıçının romanı çıxacağını eşidəndə oxumağa qərar vermişdim...
- Tomas Hardi Tomas Hardi olmadan əvvəl yazılan bu roman uzun illər unudulubmuş... səhv eləmirəmsə, altmış ildən sonra üzə çıxarılıb... təkrar nəşr olunub... Bu haqda kitabın ilk səhifələrində geniş məlumat da var... Tomas Hardinin uşaqlar üçün yazdığı yeganə kitabdır...
- Düzü nadir hallarda uşaq ədəbiyyatı oxuyuram... Ən son yadda qalan, yəqin ki, heç vaxt unutmayacağım "Qumqurdu" romanı olmuşdu... Bu romanı isə, təəccüblüdür ki, bəyəndim... əlbəttə hadisələrə yetkin gözü ilə yanaşdım... kitabın macərası bir kənara qalsın... Romanın alt qatlarında yazıçı çox ciddi məsələlərə toxunur... Nədənsə məni çox düşündürdü...
- İki qənc Stiv və Leonard mağarada tapdıqları çayın mənbəyinin istiqamətini dəyişirlər... Və aləm bir-birinə qarışır... Hər nə qədər məsum əməl olsa da, hadisə az insana təsir eləmir... bəzi suallara hələ də cavab tapa bilməmişəm... məsələn çay, bu çayı öz kəndlərində axıtmaq üçün heç bir əməyi olmayan Qərblilərəmi aiddir, yoxsa bir gün mənbəyi dəyişdirilərək şəqdən axan Şərqlilərəmi.. Bunun ölçüsü nədir... Cavabım yoxdur...
- Maraqlı idi... ergənlərə, uşaqlara könül rahatlığı ilə oxutdura bilərsiniz... əla tərcüməsi var... filmi də var... baxmamışam...

[Ed Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Hardy wrote a serial for a children’s magazine - who knew. This story has been virtually unknown even though Oxford University Press published it in book form. It’s less than eighty pages and features woodcuts by John Lawrence. It is true to Hardy’s other works, based in a mythical part of England but populated with people who would fit in any of Hardy’s stories. Hardy has adjusted his voice so any young person could understand what was happening. But Hardy presents a theme any adult would recognize. How to weigh the interests of the few when they run counter to a larger group. A philosophical question without an easy answer. There’s also the issue of magical thinking and the role of evidence. All rolled up in a children’s story.

Two boys decide to explore a cave and come upon an underground stream. They divert it from going down one hole and into another. The unexpected result is that the stream their town has been built around goes dry and a new one appears in a neighboring town. They suspect that what they have done has had this unintended consequence. They also learn of the unexpected benefits that the neighboring town expects to gain by their new stream. They are joined by the apprentice of an abusive miller and see a benefit of depriving their town’s mill of its source of power - it might free the apprentice, But the miller is not ready to let the young man go. Lots of aspects to consider. They go back and forth only to get themselves into deeper trouble.

To learn how Hardy wraps up this dilemma you’ll have to read the story for yourself. Just like the young reader you wonder how this is going to end.

It’s worth the read.

[Juan]

Me gusta el planteamiento moral que se va construyendo de manera fluida a partir de los acontecimientos que van sucediendo. Llega un punto en el que los dilemas se tornan complejos. ¿Cómo se decide a quién favorecer y a quién no? Pero el libro no va más allá de eso y que esté dirigido a un público infantil no es excusa para haberse quedado a medio camino.

A la final se vuelve un poco nacionalista el asunto, así el concepto no encaje en el contexto de la obra. A lo que me refiero es que los protagonistas sienten un deber moral con su pueblo y pasan por encima de otras personas que el autor tiñe de maldad, pero a la final no estaban haciendo más que actuar con el egoísmo de sus adversarios: los protagonistas y su pueblo.

El libro nos suelta una lección y un aprendizaje, pero no me convencen. Había mucho potencial y casi que todo el libro tiene excelente ritmo, una narración correcta y bien escrita. No me funciona el final, las decisiones de los personajes y el discurso ético.

[Laura Cruz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh!... estuvo ok, pero estoy segura de que este no es de los mejores trabajos de Hardy. Ya quiero leer sus obras más conocidas. Sí percibí una cierta crítica a las clases más particularmente al tema de la esclavitud en un contexto profesional (con el personaje del aprendiz golpeado por su jefe) y AMÉ que le concediera tanta importancia a este personaje en el pueblo, ése señor que había fracasado muchas veces, pero que todos lo escuchaban por su gran sabiduría, ya que había pasado por un proceso de introspección a comparación de los hombres más exitosos. Estoy segura de que Hardy tiene personajes y aspectos de la trama muy interesantes y complejos

[David Burkam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardy wrote this boys' adventure story in 1883, during a pause before starting The Mayor of Casterbridge. Originally intended to be serialized in the popular American magazine, Youth's Companion during 1884, the story did not appear until 1892-1893 in the more obscure and less-successful American magazine The Household.

One can't help but wonder if Hardy knew of Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (published seven years earlier) -- boys and caves seem like a natural pairing for a good adventure story.

[Harry Anchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad introduced this gem of a book to me when I was a child. In fact, it was one of his English text books in Elementary school in 1930's. I absolutely adored this book the first time I read it - all-time favorite books, ever! Just as I have done Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, I have read and re-read this book so many times. Every time I read it, I identify with those mischievous children and imagine the gorgeous English countryside. I only wish every library on the planet had a copy, because sadly, it is out-of-print. 😡

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two boys exploring caves on the Mendips meddle with nature for fun, but the consequences are far-reaching, and when they try to undo what they've done they just make the situation worse...

I'm reading my way through Hardy's novels but hadn't heard of this short story (which was originally published in a magazine) until someone posted it on Instagram. It's dated, of course, and a quick read, but also a very enjoyable one. 🙂

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Thomas Hardy. My favourite writer and true storyteller of them all. This particularly work was sitting on my bookshelf waiting for the appropriate moment to be read. It didn't disappoint; standard Hardy for me. I feel every bit of his storytelling; characters, setting, scenery, feelings.. amazing. 'Always read Hardy', is my suggestion.

[Adric Rangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es el primer libro que leo de Thomas Hardy, y desde hace mucho tenía ganas de leer algo de este escritor, pero aún no me decidía qué leer. Es un cuento que realmente me ha encantado y que problemas se han metido este par de primos en su hazañas en la cueva. Lo recomiendo.

[Luis Planche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un buen libro, una lectura con la que pasar el rato y con la que puedes terminar con una buena enseñanza. pero por mi parte. no la disfrute tanto como pense de primer momento que lo haria

[Backoff51 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only book written for children by Thomas Hardy. It was a fun story about some young boys who made a big mistake and ultimately fixed it.

[Puddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A change from the usual Thomas Hardy we know and love, but funny and Hardyesque in its depiction of rural life and character. Aimed at children but definitely worth a read for adults too.

[Domi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo había leído en el colegio pero no recordaba nada. Me dio curiosidad así que lo leí en un rato. Muy entretenido, estresante y deja una muy buena enseñanza.

[Forked Radish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Water doesn't work that way. Man's hydraulic knowledge was lost with the Roman Empire. The Dark Ages continue.

[Veronica Molina · Rating 2 out of 5]

No me enganchó mucho. Y lo sentí casi como los libros/cuentos antiguos que buscaban de manera forzada dar la moraleja.
Además, me pareció fome; y modo de vida es totalmente obsoleto --vivían en parroquias. Ni siquiera es antiguo interesante--.
El tema base sí podría ser interesante, pero es más bien de adultos enseñando que de niños.

[Gimena Reche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este es un libro para niños, no tanto para adultos. Es corto y entretenido, simple y de rápida lectura. Si no saben qué recomendarle a los niños para leer, aquí tienen una linda obra.