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The Mayor of Casterbridge

Thomas Hardy

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Apr 24, 2013 Greer rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is the first Hardy novel I've read, and much more engrossing than expected. Straddling the line between Greek tragedy and realism, it is the tale of the brutish and impulsive Michael Henchard, a farm labourer who sells his wife and young daughter at a county fair. He later rises to prominence as a wealthy grain merchant and mayor of the town of Casterbridge, only to fall into ruin precipitated by the reappearance of his wife and daughter.

But lest we think merely an unlucky twist of fate doo ...more

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Nov 15, 2022 Tanya rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: list-1001-btrbyd, format-ebook, 2022, genre-classics

I handy expected to like this one as I am not very enchanted by Victorian classics, but this was a surprise. I loved the complexity and even if coincidences seemed too convenient, it also seemed just, and natural consequences can really be devastating. I would pick HArdy over Dickens for future readings. I also will try to read another Victorian classic next October as there is an IG challenge group, which offers the opportunity to be a part of a group read. This was their selection and I am wee ...more

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