Advantages: Passionate, unique
Disadvantages: The ending isn't as 'satisfying' as it could be

...Two On A Tower must be one of the most under-rated of Thomas Hardy's novels. Whilst it's not perhaps the same standard as Tess of the D'Urbervilles and The Woodlanders, it's still a fantastic novel and it's a shame that most people have never heard of it. It's hard to compare it to Hardy's better-known works, as I can't quite put my finger on all the differences - the passion and realism is still there, but in a different way than it is in Jude The Obscure or Tess. Two On A Tower is essentially the age-old love story between two people whose circumstances presents a social barrier, in this case class and an older woman being the issues, but Hardy's skill elevates it. The novel was written in 1882, ten years after Hardy's first published novel, and his experience already shows. Some writers are simply a pleasure to read and, in my... Read review

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Advantages: Great characters and descriptions of setting
Disadvantages: Some parts are boring, depressing

...'Tess of the D'Urbervilles', one of Hardy's eleven novels, is considered as one of his better works throughout his career as a novelist. The book was first published in 1891 under the name 'A Pure Woman' and received a mixed reception. The book is currently in my English 'A' Level syllabus and with good reason too. From it we can appreciate how important effective characterisation is and obviously we can see how Hardy's views on such topics as fate are communicated through his books. The story is set in the bleak and forbidding Dorset landscape (South West England), referred to as 'Wessex' (this was actually the name used for the Ancient Anglo Saxon kingdom of King Alfred) in the novel. Almost all of Hardy's fiction is set here. As critical readers will notice, each different place in the story is associated with different... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant plot and characters
Disadvantages: lengthy, incongrous descriptions

...Tess of the D'urbervilles is a plot revolving around the impressive landscapes of Wessex, where Hardy set most of his novels, and the eponymous heroine; Tess Durbeyfield. The book is highly saturated with Hardy's lengthy descriptions yet gives a wonderful social commentary of contemporary 'Hardy' Wessex and the trials he put his heroine through. At a young age Tess is thrown into adulthood when her parents believe themselves to be descendants of the oldest family in Wessex ,thought to have died out. She gives birth to an illegitimate child and is condemned by society. The story is well written, however it is obvious how Hardy relied heavily on chance as many of the tragedies in Tess's life occurred only through a series of small flukes. On the other hand, the character of Tess is so well conceived and real that it is hard not to feel... Read review

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Advantages: Hardy at his most dramatic and powerful
Disadvantages: In places perhaps miserable to the point of being unbelieveable

...Jude the Obscure, Hardy's last novel, is certainly considered among the better of his 20-odd novels, both by modern critics and by Hardy himself. It's my personal favourite, though Tess of the D'Urbevilles comes not far behind. The social comment is worthy - that men cannot hope to acheive greatness by virtue of hard work alone - and revolutionary for its time. The characters are live and believable, and of course Hardy is able as always to make us truly sympathise with them: Jude's frustration is such that only the hardest-hearted reader could fail to feel anger at the way he is treated in the course of the novel. In the context of Hardy's other works, Jude the Obscure is something of an oddball: the rural setting, though still there, is much less important and apparent than in any of his other books, and the descriptions of rural... Read review

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Advantages: A must for Hardy fans
Disadvantages: You have to be interested in Hardy

...THE AUTHOR Claire Tomalin is a noted biographer, whose work includes biogs of Mary Wollstonecraft, Katherine Mansfield, Jane Austen, and Pepys. She is married to writer Michael Frayn. WHO IS THOMAS HARDY? Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was born at Bockhampton, Dorset and became a celebrated writer and poet, mainly of novels, short stories and poems set in ‘Wessex’ ie Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and part of Devon. Several notable films and TV series have been made of his novels e.g., 'Far from the Madding Crowd', 'Tess of the D'urbervilles', 'The Mayor of Casterbridge', and the dreaded 'Jude the Obscure’. These are probably most people's first introduction to Thomas Hardy nowadays. Although his books about Victorian Wessex are noted for their portrayal of agricultural and provincial town life, many of his characters suffer dreadful... Read review

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Advantages: Well-researched, interesting for Hardy fans
Disadvantages: Not a lot of info (certainly not beyond basic facts), disappointing

...I am a huge fan of Thomas Hardy. This caused me to be somewhat of a pariah during school and college, but I love his novels (and the short stories and poetry that I've read) and I don't care if my friends - or anyone else - think I'm weird. That's why I bought this book: not because I'm slightly interested in one of the greatest writers Britain (and the world) has produced, but because I'm slightly obsessed. I was also drawn by the quote on the front cover, from Richard Holmes of the Guardian, that this is "Outstanding, brilliant, another tour de force". Claire Tomalin has made a name for herself as a biographer, particularly of literary figures. Her other books include 'Shelly and His World', 'Jane Austen: A Life' and 'Katherine Mansfield: A Secret Life'. I sense that titles aren't her strong point and I didn't like this title... Read review

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Advantages: Fantastic Story, Classical work
Disadvantages: The language is a little staid at times

...---Introduction--- It was on holiday in Scotland that I chose to read the bulk of this particular book. Whether it was the magnificent Highland scenery that inspired the read (albeit the rugged mountainous terrain would hardly substitute for the fictional lowlands of *Wessex) or the more than common flock of sheep that put me in mind of the characters, I'm not sure; but having spanned a gap of some 24 years since the first time I read the book, this is an account of my experience. ---Thomas Hardy--- Thomas Hardy was born in June 1840 in Higher Bockhampton, just outside Dorchester. In 1874 “Far From the Madding Crowd” was published in serial form in the Cornhill Magazine in twelve numbers, illustrated by H. P. Allingham. Hardy went on to write and publish much loved works such as “The Mayor of Castorbridge” and “Tess... Read review

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