Classics > D Classics > Thomas Hardy

Advantages: Very funny, enjoyable melodrama
Disadvantages: Not for everyone

Desperate Remedies was written in response to publishers who rejected Thomas Hardy’s first novel, a socio-political story called The Poor Man and The Lady (which was never published and the manuscript was later destroyed by Hardy; a great pity), who wanted a more sensationalist story without the political overtones. The result, although not considered one of Hardy’s best works, is a delightful Victorian melodrama that’s extremely entertaining. The ...
...but as she grows more desperate she is forced to advertise her services as a maid and is offered a job by the mysterious Miss Aldclyffe. Miss Aldclyffe is heiress to Knapwater, currently in possession of her elderly father. She is resolutely single and of an indeterminate age – she looks younger than she actually is and tries to obscure her true age. She takes a liking to Cytherea and sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Cytherea being ... Read review

Advantages: Discover a great story of friendship and hardship
Disadvantages: Read it and you will know

...book is about the struggles of two very contrasting yet likeable charactors in the duo George and Lennie. They are two out of work and out of luck men in the depression period in the USA. They do everything together, work eat sleep everything. They even share the same dream of owning their own ranch where they can work for themselves. A thoroughly enjoyable book which I am glad that I bought, definitely surprised me more than once and especially ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting twists and turns in the plot
Disadvantages: Difficult to get into

...for the next chapter. Great Expectations: This was written in 1861, and has become known as one of the best novels of Dickens, with its strong characters such as Miss Havisham. Each installment of Great Expectations contained two chapters, and explains the crescendo's of climax found in the novel. Plot: THe story follows Pip from childhood to adulthood. At first, he is seen as an orphan, being brought up by his harsh sister and her gentle husband, ...
...deals with this. THoughts: Great Expectations is an interesting read in regards to atttitudes towards different classes, and for those who have interest in such history, there will no doubt be enjoyment from this novel. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, and found it a captivating read, as you identify with the feelings of many characters; Joe's continuous kindness towards Pip, Pip's desire to be a genteman, and Miss Havisham's ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful vivid descriptions, extremly developed characters
Disadvantages: Some may find it too detailed

...expressed in her writings. Although Rebecca is considered her masterpiece and has become a famous film, she wrote many other books such as Jamaica's Inn, My COusin Rachel and Frenchman's Creek which are less well-known. Rebecca: Rebecca was written in 1938, while Rebecca was unhappy at Egypt, where her husband was osted at the time. It is a story of a woman's first love, a story of mystery and a story of crime. As these different genres of the book ...
...to Maxim's first wife, Rebecca. Rebecca was a beatiful, sophisticated woman, with a high position in society, and was considered a social butterfly. In contrast to her, the new Mrs de Winter feels clumsy, ashamed and embarassed, and without her husband's suport, she is left to dream of Rebecca, and almost becomes obsessed with her. Rebecca had died at sea, and she feels that perhaps she is just a poor replacement of Rebecca, and under the constant ... Read review

Advantages: A great read
Disadvantages: You will want to go to Cornwall right away!

...favourite book ever. Rebecca is also based in beautiful Cornish countryside and really takes the reader back to a time of country mansions, butlers, maids, housekeepers and supressed women! The fact that we never know the new Mrs de Winter's forename is very intriguing, is du Maurier referring to herself? Du Maurier describes Cornwall beautifully, (she should know - she lived there most of her life!) the reader is really taken in by the description ... Read review