Showing results by author "Thomas Hardy" in All Categories

"The Well-Beloved" (1897) is A Sketch of a Temperament by Thomas Hardy. The novel tells the story of a sculptor's search for the ideal woman, through three generations of a Portland family. From the Preface: "The peninsula, whereon most of the following scenes are laid, has been for centuries immemorial the home of a curious and well-nigh distinct people, cherishing strange beliefs and singular customs, now for the most part obsolescent. Fancies, like certain soft-wooded plants which cannot bear the silent inland frosts, but thrive by the sea in the roughest of weather, seem to grow up naturally here."

A gripping collection of weird and fantastical stories of supernatural and unbelievable happenings. "Pomegranate Seed" by Edith Wharton; "The Tiger" by Hugh Walpole; "When I Was Dead" by Vincent O'Sullivan; "The Fire" by Charles John Cutcliffe Hyne; "Satan's Circus" by Eleanor Smith; "The Coffin Merchant" by Richard Middleton; and more tall stories....

A vintage collection of some of the greatest short stories ever written

A wonderfully evocative tale of the courtship of Fancy Day, newly arrived schoolmistress, by Dick Dewy, carrier of goods, during the four seasons of one year in Wessex. Most of Hardy’s work had tragedy woven into the narrative but ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ is full of whimsy and good humour. The story is not without its serious comment, however, as Hardy reflects on class division and the disappearance of heritage in the rural community.

August - the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and the full palette of nature is on glorious display. Our poets, Wordsworth, Swinburne, Alford, Riley, and Hardy, describe and reveal their thoughts on the month and notable dates within it.

We begin with one of Hardy’s best regarded stories, 'The Fiddler of the Reels'. Here Hardy exposes a supernatural and demonic theme, against a realistic and historical background of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the first trains. A typical Wessex girl is gripped by the power of music and dance when a lone fiddler casts his spell on her, causing her cloying but plain suitor to leave suddenly for London.

In a remote corner of early Victorian England, where traditional practices remain untouched by time, Bathsheba Everdene stands out as a beacon of feminine independence and self-reliance. However, when confronted with three suitors, among them the dashing Sergeant Troy, she shows a reckless capriciousness which threatens the stability of the whole community.

In "The Hand of Ethelberta", Thomas Hardy explores the complexities of love and class in Victorian England through the story of a young woman who rises from being a governess to marrying into the aristocracy. With his signature wit and insight, Hardy delves into themes of social mobility, gender roles, and the power of love to transcend societal expectations. The audiobook brings this delightful tale to life, immersing the listener in the richly detailed world of 19th-century England.

Scritto nel 1874, apparso anonimo a puntate, il romanzo ottenne generali critiche positive e segnò l'inizio della carriera letteraria dell'autore. È la storia di una ragazza che, nel temperamento e nella volontà di indipendenza, sembra l'antesignana di Rossella o'Hara di "Via col vento". (Una delle sue frasi: "mi piacerebbe sposarmi, se solo non dovessi poi vivere con un marito"). La vita impartirà una dura lezione al suo orgoglio.

Heden kring Wessex i sydvästra England bildar bakgrund för den storslagna historien om fem älskandes öden i slutet av 1800-talet, men utgör också ett personporträtt i egen rätt i Thomas Hardys älskade klassiker. Landskapets skiftningar speglar invånarnas känslotillstånd och formar deras drömmar, inte minst den drottninglika och splittrade Eustacia Vyes som längtar efter storstadens äventyr.

Tess, the young and lovely heroine of Hardy's classic tale, knows instinctively that the path she is choosing is the wrong one. But, a child of her times, what can she do but follow the dictates of her family?

"In The Woodlanders" by Thomas Hardy, a young woman's romantic entanglements with three men in a rural English village raise questions about social class, desire, and the constraints of Victorian society. Listeners will be swept away by the vivid descriptions of the natural world and the complex emotional struggles of the characters.

Immerse yourself in the rural charm and romance of Wessex as you listen to 'Under the Greenwood Tree', a delightful tale of love, music, and community. Thomas Hardy's vivid descriptions of country life and his tender portrayal of the budding romance between the young schoolmistress Fancy Day and the handsome church musician Dick Dewy will captivate your heart and transport you to another time and place. With its lively cast of characters, humorous anecdotes, and beautiful melodies, this audiobook is a true gem of English literature.

Between then and now poets have written verse, both serious and humorous, in attempts to keep a poetic track both of feelings and as a tribute to our four-legged friends and their adventures.

Set in rural Victorian England, Far from the Madding Crowd describes the life and relationships of a woman Farmer, Bathsheba Everdene. First with the faithful shepherd Gabriel Oak, then her lonely neighbor William Boldwood, and finally, the prodigal soldier Sergeant Frank Troy.

In "A Changed Man and Other Tales," Thomas Hardy delivers a captivating collection of stories exploring the complexity of human nature, the unpredictability of life, and the consequences of our choices. With vivid descriptions, well-crafted characters, and unexpected twists, these tales will transport you to Victorian England and leave you pondering the human condition. From the tale of a reformed convict seeking redemption to a wealthy woman's surprising generosity, each story is a journey that will leave you changed.

Grace Melbury, the only daughter of a timber-merchant, arrives home in Little Hintock after an expensive education and her father looks to find a husband for her. There are two rivals for her hand: Giles Winterborne, a good-hearted yeoman and her childhood sweetheart; and Edred Fitzpiers, an ambitious young doctor of good family. Fitzpiers wins her, but the mismatch brings unhappiness not just to the young couple, but to a wider circle in the woodland community.

An interesting novel due to its depiction of a violent love/hate relationship between two men, this story highlights the strains of competition in pre-industrial rural society. Michael Henchard attains the position of town mayor, but the lies that lead him there leave the door open to a dramatic newcomer to expose his fundamental flaws.

Thomas Hardy's novel about a British farm girl and her effect on the men who fall in love with her is read by Julie Christie. This rebellious young woman finds her affections a cause for competition between a soldier, a wealthy landowner, and a modest sheep farmer.

Bitter Lips, Sweet Heart is a unique collection of romantic poetry first assembled by a group of young male college students who got together to read poetry and drink tea every week, thinking themselves spurned romantics and talented poets. Most of the original selections have been forgotten, and the collection has been updated for this simple release with a sense of irony and sheepishness in mature adulthood. May its angst, irony, lust, and innocent affection amuse and entertain you today, just as it did the four nerdy boys who assembled it to communicate.