This is the least enjoyable and moving of the Thomas Hardy novels I have read. His writing style is never too heavy, nor does it lack for insight or detail into the thoughts, feelings and motivations of the characters. And after all, Hardy's stories are character stories of love and loss and desperation.
The problem, for me, with the Mayor of Casterbridge is that the narrative groans under the weight of the numerous and frankly predictable yet unbelievable coincidences that he uses to move the characters from one scenario to another. This was my sole, but significant criticism. Other than that I enjoyed the novel immensely and like all Hardy novels, I was in tears by the end.
His books are just so desperately sad.