Kev's Challenge

[Kev]

After having read and re-read Tess of the d'Urbervilles multiple times throughout my schooling (once at "A" Level and then three times during my English degree at Uni), I challenged myself to read all of Hardy's other novels over the upcoming months.

Just discovered this thread as I am a relatively new user to GoodReads and thought I'd post my challenge and progress.

Having started in the Spring, so far I have read a total of six of his novels, and am currently entering the final phase of my seventh.

Note - I have also read his short story The Withered Arm a few times over the years.

The novels read to date are:







Currently on:


Would be great to hear from others who have gone through Hardy's novels.

Happy Reading Everyone!

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

My first Hardy was "Far from the Madding Crowd," read last year as a buddy read around the time that the movie was released.

I still need to see that film. I'm a high stickler for reading a book before seeing a film adaptation.

Then a little later in the year, I read "Return of the Native."

I saw some similarities between certain characters in these two books. (view spoiler)[Diggory Venn reminded me a little of Gabriel Oak and Eustacia reminded me a little of Bathsheba in that both had some characteristics that made them hard to like (hide spoiler)]

I enjoyed both books and hope to read more of Hardy's novels.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

I've only read Far from the Madding Crowd, and enjoyed it. I really ought to see the movie now. I do Tess of the D'Urbervilles and The Return of the Native in my physical to read stack now.

[Pink]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "My first Hardy was "Far from the Madding Crowd," read last year as a buddy read around the time that the movie was released.

I still need to see that film. I'm a high stickler for reading a book ..."

More or less exactly the same for me! I have Tess and The Mayor of Casterbridge on my bookshelf, which I plan on reading next year.

[Susan O]

Kev, What would you recommend to a Hardy "virgin"? ;) I've never read anything by him, or seen the movies, although like Andrea I would certainly read the book first. Of course, I've been told to read Tess, but just wondered if you have a different opinion.

[Kev]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "My first Hardy was "Far from the Madding Crowd," read last year as a buddy read around the time that the movie was released.

I still need to see that film. I'm a high stickler for reading a book ..."

hey Andrea, thanks for the feedback.

With hardy I agree, there are loads of similarities in ALL of his novels. From his powerful trademark descriptions of Nature to the point of her Personification, to a lack of nuclear families and this setting off the hero / heroine into their course, to the powerlessness of Will and Want against Circumstance and Fate...these and many are the insignia trademarks of all Hardy novels.

Nonetheless, despite the recurring themes across all novels, all are distinct, and personally I have enjoyed each and everyone so far. Each of their unique stories has really drawn me into each of the novels and provided me with the "journey" that I seek whilst reading.

Hope you get to read many more. Definitely worth it!

[Kev]

Kathy wrote: "I've only read Far from the Madding Crowd, and enjoyed it. I really ought to see the movie now. I do Tess of the D'Urbervilles and The Return of the Native in..."

Hey Kathy. Definitely recommend you read the others. My journey started with Tess which I read and re-read (almost to death) through my schooling when it kept cropping up in different modules at uni and it was always easy to choose it instead of an unread novel when given the option as it gave me more time to study other unread novels in my different modules.

Loved Far from the Madding Crowd, and Return of The Native - perhaps favouring FFTMC slightly over Native.

[Kev]

Pink wrote: "Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "My first Hardy was "Far from the Madding Crowd," read last year as a buddy read around the time that the movie was released.

I still n..."

The Mayor of Casterbridge is a MUST. Absolutely loved it! You must read it soon!

happy reading!

[Kev]

Susan wrote: "Kev, What would you recommend to a Hardy "virgin"? ;) I've never read anything by him, or seen the movies, although like Andrea I would certainly read the book first. Of course, I've been told to r..."

I started with Tess and read that multiple times before moving on to others. Tess is a good starting point because I think it is pure Hardy. If you like Tess, and can read it, then you'll be able to crack on and enjoy the rest without problem.

What I would recommend however, is not to read his first published novel first (Desperate remedies). I woudl recommend savour Hardy well first by reading a few of his novels before going on to read Desperate remedies. You will then doubly appreciate his use of what later became the Hardy ingredients in his novels, and be able to see how he experiments with these and puts them to test etc.

happy reading!

[Kev]

Just finished my 8th Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree

Having tackled most of Hardy's major works before arriving at Under The Greenwood Tree, the first thing that strikes s that in many ways this novel( or novella for it is very short) is very un-Hardyesque.

The lighter of his novels portrays a (shock) happy story concerning a new girl in the village and her three suitors - particularly the story of one of them. The heroine is very underdeveloped as a character and just about serves the purpose of motioning the courting story.

Despite its un-Hardyesque characteristics in being an optimist novel, several of Hardy's traits are present, notably his dense language and the presence of what is without doubt his major recurring character across most of his works - Nature and the countryside.

With a funny - not in a humourous kind of way - heroine, we at least manage to savour a hint of True Hardy with an ending that can be considered slightly sceptical. Living in an age where writers seem to extend stories beyond their natural cycle when these are adapted for other medium (TV and film) it would have been most interesting to see what a sequel to Under the Greenwood Tree would offer. I do not think a sequel would be so light and charming!

Hardy does a Happy story. His forte is doom and gloom. Nonetheless, good to see him venture out and try "other things".

[Pink]

A happy Hardy, who would have thought it! I'm glad you still enjoyed it.

[Kev]

Just completed my ninth Hardy, A Pair Of Blue Eyes A Pair of Blue Eyes



The third of Hardy's novels t be published and the first to bear his name, A Pair of Blue eyes is one I highly recommend.

Most of the themes in this novel are similar to all - or most of his other works - but yet, as always, Hardy manages to give us a unique story with a very unique feel.

Readers of Hardy will no doubt recognise many Hardy trademarks in this one, as well as what could have perhaps been the seeds for his latter novels, notably his mega-monster success, Tess.

The narrative has a nice quick pace and is filled with twists and turns. Characters come across as Real People, and like Real People, they make mistakes, many, and suffer the consequences.

Of interest is that having been published originally in a serial format (rather than as the novel tome we know it to be today), the cliff-hanger scene in the novel which serves to change the heroine's path, is reputed to be the origin for the term "cliffhanger" that we use today.