Sunday, June 2, 2019

Happy 179th Birthday, Thomas Hardy!

Under the Greenwood Tree is one of Hardy's earliest 'pastoral' novels. It was first published in 1872 and it centers around the inhabitants of Mellstock village, especially Dick Dewy, a member of the parish choir, Fancy Day, the pretty new schoolmistress, and Mr. Maybold, the young vicar. It's a study of village life ... and a romance, too. But while Hardy's writing and use of dialect are as good as ever, what this novel lacks is well-developed and likable characters to root for; even Dick and Fancy, the two main characters, lacked something. The other members of the parish choir had more personality than they did, but they were only peripheral players. And in the end, I didn't really care what happened to any of them. So while this particular Hardy novel lacks a tragic ending, it also lacks the depth and quality of his later, more well-known novels. But it does have a few good moments. Here are four of my favorites:

"I'm afraid Dick's a lost man," said the tranter. "There's too many o' them looks out of the winder without noticing anything: too much shining of boots -- too much looking at the clock: telling about clever things She did till you be sick of it, and then upon a hint to that effect a horrible silence about her. I've walked the path once in my life and know the country, neighbors; and Dick's a lost man!"

"If we be doomed to marry, we marry; if we be doomed to remain single we do," replied Dick.  

Three months had elapsed since Dick and Fancy had journeyed together from Budmouth, and the course of their love had run on vigorously during the whole time. There had been just enough difficulty attending its development, and just enough finesse required in keeping it private, to lend the passion an ever-increasing freshness on Fancy's part, whilst whether from these accessories or not, Dick's heart had been at all times as fond as could be desired. But there was a cloud on Fancy's horizon.

"How much you are to me depends upon how much I am to you," she said in low tones.

 Happy Reading!


P.S. This book counts as my 19th Century Classic for Karen's 2019 Back to the Classics Challenge.  But I'm kind of wishing I'd stuck to my original plan and read Return of the Native instead. Oh, well. Maybe next time.

Two other Hardy reviews:

28 comments:

  1. The only Hardy I've read is The Mayor of Casterbridge. It is worth a look--an intriguing plot and well-developed characters. I always planned to read more Hardy, but never did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is a Hardy novel I still need to read! I also need to read Far From the Madding Crowd. Sigh. I should have a Thomas Hardy readathon next June and finally read them all.

      Delete
  2. I usually love Thomas Hardy's books, but I agree with you about this one. Dick and Fancy weren't very strong characters and I didn't really care what happened to them either. I did like the descriptions of the village community and country life, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Usually it's Hardy's characters that make his books so memorable for me, but these two were shallow nothings. Still, his writing is always good. :)

      Delete
  3. I've only read Tess, which I LOVED. I definitely need to read more Hardy - actually, I need to read more classics :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Tess of the D'Urbervilles, too! :)

      Delete
  4. I find Hardy difficult reading for some reason and have only managed Under the Greenwood Tree and A Pair of Blue Eyes - and I see from my notes that I read both of those in 1997. I have to admit that I haven't been tempted since, but maybe I should take another look because it's a shame not to have read Tess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tess was my first encounter with Hardy and is still my favorite of his novels; although The Well-Beloved is a close second. :)

      Delete
  5. I have not read anything by Hardy, although I have been wanting to read Tess.

    ReplyDelete
  6. When one loves an author, even the lesser works are worth reading I think! I've not tried any Hardy yet, however. I was considering one of his titles for the Back to the Classics category "Read a Tragic Classic".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He certainly has several novels that fit that category! :)

      Delete
  7. I have never read Thomas Hardy, he is one of the classics authors that intimidates me a bit. And I've probably heard too much about all the tragedy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found Hardy really intimidating when I first tried him, but not so much any more. Do you think that means I've grown as a reader? ;D

      Delete
  8. I always hear that this is the book to read if you want to read Hardy but don't want his heavy-hand with tragedy, but it just doesn't sound all that interesting...and your review confirms that perception. Good review of what sounds like a rather mediocre novel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd probably recommend any of his other books over this one; at least it was short and a pretty quick read.

      Delete
  9. That's too bad! A good, but happy Thomas Hardy seems a pretty difficult combination to achieve... ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I think he's better at deep and tragic. :)

      Delete
  10. Hardy is someone I haven't read yet but want to, He's a great writer. I'm thinking Tess of the Ubervilles might be the way to go because its one of his best books. I understand he's a rather depressing writer but that's okay and I have also heard he does wonderful dipictions of nature.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you're going to read Hardy, definitely read Tess of the D'Urbervilles! It is definitely sad, but I think it's Hardy's best.

      Delete
  11. Yay for not having a tragic ending, I hate those! But boo for not having well-developed characters. It's hard to truly love a book without having characters with some depth. Wonderful review, Lark! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Characters make or break a book for me, that's for sure. :)

      Delete
  12. We have a section of this read in the Christmas Eve crib service every year, but that is the closest I've got to it! I have mixed success with Hardy, but should try more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You probably read the best part. ;D I've liked most of the other Hardy novels that I've read. But I have not read them all, that's for sure. Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  13. Those are nice excerpts. I have not read any Thomas Hardy novels. Not even in college! One of these days...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, when you decide to read one of his books, don't start with this one. :D

      Delete
  14. Well, I plan to read this one next year. I'm a huge Hardy fan, so I hope this one will not be too disappointing. His writing style is was really draws me, anyway, as his characters can be frustrating. So I'll give it a try and see what happens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I look forward to hearing what you think of this one!

      Delete