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The Return of the Native (Oxford World's Classics)
 
 
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The Return of the Native (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

by Thomas Hardy (Author), Nancy Barrineau (Contributor), Margaret R. Higonnet (Contributor), Simon Gatrell (Editor)
3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 488 pages
  • Publisher: OUP Oxford; New edition edition (10 Feb 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 019284072X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0192840721
  • Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 13 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 532,280 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
'To be loved to madness - such was her great desire' Eustacia Vye criss-crosses the wild Egdon Heath, eager to experience life to the full in her quest for 'music, poetry, passion, war'. She marries Clym Yeobright, native of the heath, but his idealism frustrates her romantic ambitions and her discontent draws others into a tangled web of deceit and unhappiness. Early readers responded to Hardy's 'insatiably observant' descriptions of the heath, a setting that for D. H. Lawrence provided the 'real stuff of tragedy'. For modern readers, the tension between the mythic setting of the heath and the modernity of the characters challenges our freedom to shape the world as we wish; like Eustacia, we may not always be able to live our dreams. This edition has a critically established text based on the manuscript and first edition, and without the later changes that substantially altered Hardy's original intentions.

About the Author
Teaches English at the University of Georgia --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.6 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read, 20 Jul 2006
By T. G. Fish "progman-f" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Return of the Native (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)
This book is one of Hardy's finest; it invokes the landscape better than any of his other novels, particularly Egdon Heath and the people living at, and on its edges. The scenes using the heath are outstanding - the bonfire which is used to "summon" Clem to Eustacia, the games of dice which end up using the light from glow-worms, and the dreadful deadly walk over the heath by Clem's mother in high summer are just tremendous. The novel requires insight and probably doesn't suit adolescents; but for adults, I recommend it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and challenging piece of literature., 25 Oct 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Return of the Native (Penguin Classics) (Audio Cassette)
In this gripping story Hardy writes of his native Wessex with a clear passion and understanding. Indeed in this story of mis-loves and ironic coincidence the superbly described 'Egdon Heath' is given characteristics which are only matched by the books' main character, Eustacia Vye. The Heath is not just the setting for the novel but very much the sobering counter balance to Vye's passionate nature. During the novel she tries unsuccessfuly to defeat the Heath which holds her prisoner. I have read this book as a set text piece for A-level and expected a hard going read, but I was instantly captured by the tangible world Hardy creates. I would recommend this novel to anyone who can appreciate the English word at it's very best.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Evocative and moving, 11 April 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: The Return of the Native (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book immensely. Having read it far from home it reminded me of how magical the English countryside can be. It is also deeply interesting for the insights into a world long past- who remembers what a reddleman is now? The plight of Eustacia Vye is engaging, and, as usual with Hardy, tells us much that is sobering about our lives.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Raven-haired hotty takes on Egdon Heath
Underneath the dense verbiage of the Hardy prose, lies a superb tale. The story of an exotic-looking maid, with the sort of mouth Hardy takes a page to describe. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mr. S. J. Wade

5.0 out of 5 stars Good service
the book arrived on time and in good condition. I was very happy with the service provided.
Published 29 days ago by Mrs. Ju Koralambe

4.0 out of 5 stars A very fine novel
I had to read this one at university, ten years ago, and it was my first taste of Hardy. I found it quite difficult to get though at first, mainly due to those long Hardy... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Greshon

5.0 out of 5 stars Let it grow on you, and you'll never forget the characters and setting
It took me a while to love this book. It was a set text for my A-levels, which is never the best way to meet a book, and the first chapter was not exactly encouraging. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Morena

5.0 out of 5 stars the ending is a shame
I studied this for my English AS-level and so obviously approached this novel in a cynical fashion. However, due to the study of the text and language and themes, I realised what... Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2006 by Mr. J. P. Dickinson

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not his best
This novel is a highly enjoyable story that evokes a vast scope of emotions, from laughter to fear. As to be expected from Hardy, there are moments of astonding beauty in his... Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2006

4.0 out of 5 stars Word of Advice
Im currently studying this book as a set A-Level text and the best advice I can give to anyone reading it for the first time is not to read the first chapter initially. Read more
Published on 5 April 2005 by Angie

3.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to read... But
I am currently studying this book as part of my A-Level English Course, and when i first started reading it, i could Not get into it, i found it impossible! Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2005 by S. Anglim

4.0 out of 5 stars a great book
The Return of the Native is slow going, i read the book at A level and i barely made it through the first chapter, but once you get into the swing of the action it's hard to put... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2004 by A. Mohamed

1.0 out of 5 stars Oh, dear...bring back 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'...
Firstly, I don't loathe all Hardy. 'Tess' (as you may have guessed from the title) is a work of genius.
This is poor. Read more
Published on 3 April 2003

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