2020 September: Two on a Tower by Thomas Hardy

[Tr1sha]

Rosemarie wrote: "The Return of the Native is one of my favourites. Happy reading, Trisha and Frances, and maybe even more members!"

Thank you, Rosemarie.

[Brian E]

Frances wrote: "Brian, it wasn’t as satisfying when it was over though, as compared to his other books. It didn’t feel as well-rounded a book to me.

You're right as Hardy did not intend this novel to be as well-rounded. As noted earlier in Message 8, Hardy divided his work into 3 types. What are considered his 7 major novels are categorized as Novels of Character and Environment.
As this novel is categorized as a Romance, I didn't expect as much depth or themes as in the 7 major novels. But as you did enjoy another of his Romances, The Trumpet Major, perhaps the characters and the astronomy theme here just weren't as pleasing.

[Frances]

Lesle wrote: "Congratulations on your dedication Frances to finish.
I had wondered at a moment if it would every get anywhere. The end was not what I had expected."

Lesle, not what I expected either. (view spoiler)[ That’s what I meant with my comment about “not well-rounded”. I thought the story had a good build up until the ending. But the ending, I thought was a somewhat abrupt. It was very dramatic though. I thought my book was missing some pages!

(hide spoiler)] They didn’t teach us much about literature in school, so I don’t know if this is typical for literature of this time period. Is it? Maybe someone on this thread can enlighten me.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Frances, we didnt cover literature either in school. I am just as lost as you are about that.

[Tr1sha]

Interesting comments, Frances & Lesle. I endured “English Literature” as a compulsory subject at school. It was very specifically English only, & mostly books that were of no interest to me at all. We all had to read the same books, no personal choice allowed. David Copperfield while too young to appreciate it - & I still prefer his other books now as that was ruined for me. Every year we did Shakespeare. We had to learn masses of quotes to use in exams, but I don’t remember learning about types of literature in the way you are discussing it. Although an avid reader at home, it was the subject I detested at school. I’m very glad I discovered Thomas Hardy for myself, so his books weren’t spoiled for me.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I recently learned that there was a genre called "sensation novels" in Victorian times which featured a lot of drama, suspense and emotions (not considered worthy of being read in English classes, not serious literature).
Maybe that is how Hardy felt about Two on a Tower-he wanted to write a more dramatic less serious novel.

[Gilbert]

If you are interested in the literature for the 1880's, please see the following list from my library. Perhaps you may find an idea or three...
Mark Twain A Tramp Abroad 1880
Anthony Trollope The Duke's Children 1880
Anthony Trollope Dr. Wortle's School 1880
George Gissing Workers in the Dawn 1880
Thomas Hardy The Trumpet Major 1880
Henry James Novels 1881 - 1886 1880
Henry James The Portait of a Lady 1881
Robert Louis Stevenson Treasure Island  1882
Thomas Hardy Two on a Tower 1882
Isabella Bird The Golden Chersonese 1883
Anthony Trollope Complete Short Stories: The Christmas Stories-Vol. 1 1883
Anthony Trollope Complete Short Stories: Editors and Writers-Vol. 2 1883
Anthony Trollope Complete Short Stories: Tourists and Colonials-Vol. 3 1883
Anthony Trollope Complete Short Stories: Courtship and Marriage-Vol.4 1883
Anthony Trollope "Complete Short Stories: The Journey to Panama and
Other Stories-Vol. 5" 1883
Anthony Trollope An Autobiography 1883
Guy de Maupassant Une Vie and Other Stories 1883
Henry James Collected Travel Writings: The Continent 1883
Henry James Complete Stories 1884 - 1891 1884
Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1884
Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1884
William Dean Howells The Rise of Silas Lapham 1885
Emile Zola Germinal 1885
Henry James Novels 1886 - 1890 1886
Robert Louis Stevenson Kidnapped 1886
Robert Louis Stevenson The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  1886
Guy de Maupassant The Horla and Other Stories 1886
Guy de Maupassant Pierre and Jean and Other Stories 1888
Henry James The Aspern Papers and Other Stories 1888

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Great list! Thanks, Gilbert.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Thank you Gilbert something for me to look into!

[Tr1sha]

Thank you, Gilbert. I think I’ve only read about 5 of these so far - lots of catching up to do!

[Gilbert]

The full list is broken down by decade within century. If there's anything else, please do not hesitate to ask.

[Frances]

Brian and Gilbert, thank you so much for enlightening me. It really helps to read along with a group and voice out questions.

Lesle, Trisha, I checked and I’ve got my hands full for November as well. If you’re willing to wait until December for The Return of the Native, I can join you then. Or I can join in with the next Hardy book if you decide to do another one. Maybe Lesle will become a convert. 🤗 I’ve actually only read 1/3 of The Mayor of Casterbridge, and not read The Woodlanders, nor Jude the Obscure.

[Tr1sha]

No problem, Frances. I’m happy to wait.

[Tr1sha]

A little update. I now have a copy of The Trumpet-Major, which I will start to read in the next couple of days. Thank you Gilbert for reminding me about this book - it’s one I’ve never read.

Don’t worry, I’m happy to wait for the buddy reads of other books as discussed already. If anyone wants to share this book too while waiting for the October challenges to start then please tell me.

[Frances]

Trisha wrote: "A little update. I now have a copy of The Trumpet-Major, which I will start to read in the next couple of days. Thank you Gilbert for reminding me about this book - it’s one I’ve never read.

Don’..."

Trisha, this is one of my favorite books. 🤗 I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You might want to read Brian’s earlier post where he categorizes Hardy’s novels. If we were all being shipped to Mars and could only bring 5 books with us, there’s a chance I’d pick this to bring with me. 🧑🏼‍🚀

[Tr1sha]

Frances, I don’t know why I haven’t read it before! It’s good to know you like it so much.

[Tr1sha]

I finished reading The Trumpet-Major. I enjoyed the descriptions of the places & thought it was a good read, though didn’t think it was one of his best.

[Pam, Southwest Enchanter]

I’m a month late but just saw the post. It fits in perfectly for a challenge prompt in another group. I checked out both the ebook and audiobook. After I read it, I’ll read all the comments and put in my 2 cents. I think this is my first Thomas Hardy book so I don’t have any expectations other than my husband’s praise! This is one Hardy book, though, that he hasn’t read.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Cannot wait for your comments Pam on your first Hardy read!

[Pam, Southwest Enchanter]

I just finished the book. I wound up ditching the audiobook and reading the eBook. I was a little bored in the beginning with all of the sappy romance build up. But, I stuck with it for 2 reasons:
1) I can finally cross off Thomas Hardy on my 100 Authors to Read Challenge (my own personal challenge)
2) I can check off the Maximillian Hell prompt for the ATY52 challenge. (Hell was a 1700s astronomer who documented the transit of Venus.) This book fit perfectly! It even mentioned the Transit of Venus several times.

I'm glad I stuck with it because the story did take some interesting turns although some of the those events did seem a bit convenient. I didn't see them coming though so that was the upside! I found the astronomy angle interesting and unique. I don't think I've read any other books with an astronomer as a character.(view spoiler)[I kept thinking that there would be some tragic event relating to the tower, like one of them jumping to their death! I didn't see this ending coming and was a little disappointed. After all of their travails, it was over just like that. Really?! I don't like romance novels but I would've preferred a happy ending. (hide spoiler)] I did enjoy the book but I think I might enjoy some of his other works better! I plan to read Tess of the d'Urbervilles even though I've seen the movie. It was so long ago that I've forgotten the story.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Tess of the d'Urbervilles should get your interest right away!

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Pam I think Tess will be my next read as well!

[Tr1sha]

Pam wrote: "I just finished the book. I wound up ditching the audiobook and reading the eBook. I was a little bored in the beginning with all of the sappy romance build up. But, I stuck with it for 2 reasons: ..."

I agree, the beginning was quite slow. It definitely isn’t one of his better books, in my opinion. You may enjoy Tess more, or perhaps consider Under the Greenwood Tree which is more fun than many of his books.

[Pam, Southwest Enchanter]

Thanks Trisha for the recommendation! My husband likes Hardy and we have several of his books but not that one. It’s not on Overdrive but I found it on the SimplyE App so I will give it a try.

[Tr1sha]

Pam wrote: "Thanks Trisha for the recommendation! My husband likes Hardy and we have several of his books but not that one. It’s not on Overdrive but I found it on the SimplyE App so I will give it a try."

I’m pleased you found a copy. I hope you enjoy reading it.