Bionic Jean’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2022)

Bionic Jean’s comments from the Works of Thomas Hardy group.

Hi and welcome Brenda, Diane and Erin!

I love the fact that even here with three friends we have someone who has never read Thomas Hardy, someone who counts him as one of her favourites and someone who want to read more - what a fantastic spectrum, and what great discussions we will have!

"Brenda, put that book down!" LOL! I always use to have my nose in a book as a child too. There are some things which are decidedly better as an adult e.g. the choice to read :)

Diane - We'll certainly do both of those, starting with your favourite (and one of mine too).

Erin - Congratulations! And here's to a wonderful future. Good choice in joining us. Tess of the D'Urbervilles is definitely a good one to read after The Mayor of Casterbridge :)

I find him poignant in this poem, though yes, he was not naturally optimistic!

Oh yes! We might be able to capture that again here, Ruth :)

I think that's very true Robin. We might enjoy these classic books as teenagers, but later in life an extra depth is revealed.

Exactly, Brian! My other thought was the first one - but I'm not so keen on that one.

"Faction" as I understand it, is like historical fiction, but a little more fact-based.

Sounds interesting Brian.

Was this Gertrude Bugler the local milkmaid, and later stage actress? I was going to do a post about her when we read Tess of the D'Urbervilles shortly :) If so it could be "faction".

That's brilliant Cindy! Thanks for the vote of confidence :)

Its a poignant poem for sure, and perhaps we bring our own nuances to it? Classic poetry has that way of speaking to us, whatever the century or culture.

Lisa - I will, whenever I lead :) But you can always find a poem and commentary on the Thomas Hardy society website, if others have a different style of leading.

Oh yes, I agree Rosemarie!

Sara - Just in case, I don't think Robert was being cheeky in asking your age, but joking, after you had said "I met Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy all in that same year" :D

It's very good, Laura. Detailed and methodical, as you would expect.

Hi Kathleen, Vanessa, Susan, Tera and Laura.

What great and diverse reasons you all have for joining (Kathleen, you are so sweet :) ) - I love it! And I keep rereading the earlier introductions, to make sure I know who's here!

I'm recognising the "I don't have time for this, but couldn't resist it" bit all too well! What on earth made me take this on, when I already moderate 4 very lively groups and am a contributing member of a couple of others? I don't have unlimited energy!

Well the simple answer is "Because it was there!" I dearly love Thomas Hardy's writing, had a look to see if any group specialised in him, and found this one. I kept an eye on it for a few months, but nothing doing. I can't stand to see such lovely potential dwindling away, so here we all are now, with lots of enthusiasm and raring to go, with 73 new members over 2 days! :)

Hi Laura that's really good, as it will be so fresh in your mind!

Perfect!

That happens to me too, all the time, Werner! Hope to see you there :)

Now there's a thought! I can't remember any suggestion from his bio ... but maybe someone else can. Recognising the symptoms from an earlier time is tricky. Thanks Susan!

It's certainly ambivalent isn't it John?

The original title stresses the underlying gloom he always felt, so since birds were such a positive motif for him, perhaps that's why he chose it, in the spirit of, as you say, "wanting to break away from his mood about the century". Also, I feel the new title will have been, and remains, one which appeals to the general reader.

It's interesting to conjecture!

John wrote: "This poem was originally entitled “By the Century’s Deathbed, 1900.” There was also the year 1899 noted on a draft, so it may have been written in that year..."

That's interesting John! The Hardy Society noted (in the link I gave) that it was first printed as ‘By the Century’s Deathbed’ in The Graphic on 29th December 1900, but the date in books is 31st December 1900.

"In my opinion, his poems on the natural world, and his wry, astute observations on life and human nature that run through all his poetical works, are where his greatness rests."

I like those the best too, John :) But it's purely subjective for me.

Ashley - With the incredible number of new members joining in one day, I think I can promise that this will be an active group!

Robin and Lori - Thank you so much for your kind words :)

Michaela and Sara - Not to worry - just join in when you fancy it! The point about this group is to try to make a little space for Thomas Hardy even for those who are members of many other groups.

John - That's fantastic - so I'm counting on you to lead some of the weekly poems :)

LOL David!

Aw, Bridget - thank you! And you always give such a lot to any group you are in :)

Kim - Prepare to be converted ;)