- Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (27 Nov 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140435131
- ISBN-13: 978-0140435139
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 13 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 719,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
The Mayor of Casterbridge (Pocket Penguin Classics)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Thomas Hardy's fascination with the dualities inherent in human nature is at the root of The Mayor of Casterbridge, now in a brand-new edition. In a drunken fit Michael Henchard sells his wife and infant daughter to a sailor at a country fair; when sobriety returns the following day, he is unable to find and reclaim his family. Vowing to transform his life, he settles in the town of Casterbridge, where he eventually rises to the position of mayor. Henchard is a man whose impulses are at war with one another, and when his wife and daughter, now a young woman, appear in Casterbridge, these internal contradictions drive him to commit acts that spell his final destruction. Employing the elements of classic tragedy Hardy took the English novel in a new direction, emerging as both the last Victorian novelist and the first modern one, and defines themes that would occupy such twentieth-century writers as Conrad and Lawrence.
About the Author
Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 and wrote both poetry and novels, including The Mayor of Casterbridge, Far From the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure. He died in 1928. Keith Wilson is Professor of English at the University of Ottawa and has edited Hardy's Fiddler of the Reels and Other Stories for Penguin Classics.
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First Sentence
One evening of late summer, before the present century had reached its thirtieth year, a young man and woman, the latter carrying a child, were approaching the large village of Weydon-Priors1 on foot. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
One evening of late summer, before the present century had reached its thirtieth year, a young man and woman, the latter carrying a child, were approaching the large village of Weydon-Priors1 on foot. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I received this book as a Christmas present along with various other books. I left this one to last because I thought it might be hard going. It turned out to be one of the best books I've ever read, The characters are brilliant, my interest was held the whole way through, and it most definately wasn't a hard read. Now forTess of the D'urbervilles!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This for me is Hardy's greatest novel, written at the peak of his career. The character of Henchard, although deeply flawed, nonetheless captures the reader's attention both during and after reading the novel. His journey from young and despondent husband and father, through to his time as the mayor and his eventual demise, prove most gripping. This novel along with Tess, Jude the Obscure and The Return of the Native make up Hardy's tragic Wessex novels, and although all of them are rather sad and to an extent depressing, The Mayor of Casterbridge really does stand out as the most satisfying read that chronicles the shift away from older models of masculinity towards the beginnings of modernity that Hardy himself lived through during his long life. Don't forget about the genius of this man's writing!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This never seems to garner the same loving affection that the other Hardy novels do, perhaps because Michael Henchard is such a difficult man to empathise with. And yet it's one of the most tragic of novels in the inexorable way that his downfall happens.
From the opening scene with its shocking outcome, to the twists of revelations about Henchard's personal life, and the delicate romance between Farfrae and Henchard's daughter, this is classic Hardy. Downbeat, pessimistic and unrelenting, this is a powerful read.
From the opening scene with its shocking outcome, to the twists of revelations about Henchard's personal life, and the delicate romance between Farfrae and Henchard's daughter, this is classic Hardy. Downbeat, pessimistic and unrelenting, this is a powerful read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
My first Thomas Hardy classic.
As a reader of action and sci-fi novels, at the age of 59 I thought it about time I tried one of the classics. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Reader Steve
Drama, excitement and intrigue
When I began this book I have to admit that I didn't think the three words I'd be using to describe it would be drama, excitement and intrigue . Read more
Published 4 months ago by Boof
Atmospheric but Unrewarding
A one-dimensional story about a stupid man who (only) does stupid things and unsurprisingly finds that life doesn't go well for him. Atmospheric but unrewarding. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Brownbear101
Excellent
As per the previous reviewer it is very disappointing to see so few reviews for Hardy on amazon. This is an excellent book with great characters and plot line. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2008 by Avril
a "stood the test of time " classic
only one review????
are we just taking this book for granted??? Does no-one read Hardy these days??? Read more
are we just taking this book for granted??? Does no-one read Hardy these days??? Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2007 by J. Wilkie
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