The Return of the Native…Thomas Hardy

 

I’m reading Thomas Hardy…and this is a most incredible book…but one that needs perseverance! 

Having started to read it before Christmas, I found it hard going; I took a break and then last week, I picked it up and started again! 

Set on Egdon Heath, ( and Hardy’s description, in Chapter One, really is first class writing), this is a story about the characters who inhabit and interact with the heath. Each character’s reaction to the heath, varies…as does Hardy’s description of this amazing setting. Egdon Heath can be stunningly beautiful and yet, equally, it can be dark, stark and threatening. Indeed, Hardy’s characterisation of this place, is superb as he gives the heath a number of different ‘coats’! 

Having set the scene, the reader is then gradually introduced to the characters, their behaviour and their relationship with each other. In typical, Hardy style, the writer takes one through much misunderstanding, drama, and tragedy..and all taking place on Egdon Heath.

This is a wonderful book but it needs to be given time and much concentration.

And take a tip from me and go to ‘Spark Notes’ if you need to aid your understanding! I did that…and then I happened to mention this to Nich and he said that he was doing the very same thing with ‘The Canterbury Tales’ ! LOL!