Set against the backdrop of peaceful south-west England, where Thomas Hardy spent much of his youth, The Mayor of Casterbridge captures the author's unique genius for depicting the absurdity underlying much of the sorrow and humor in our lives. In the stunning opening chapter of The Mayor of Casterbridge, a drunken hay-trusser, Michael Henchard, sells his wife and daughter for five guineas to a sailor. The book follows Henchard who, overcome by guilt after the sale of his wife, swears he will not have another drink of alcohol fortwenty years. By hard work, he becomes a wealthy dealer in corn and hay, and eventually the mayor of Casterbridge. But after eighteen years, his wife and child Elizabeth-Jane return and, from this point on, his fortunes decline, in part through bad luck and in part through his own obstinate nature.In the end, his rival Farfrae has Henchard's business, his house, Lucretta, and he even becomes mayor of Casterbridge. Henchard eventually dies in a miserable hut on Egdon Heath. This special edition of The Mayor of Casterbridge features a splendid introduction by fiction writer Rick Moody, who calls Hardy's classic "the first great novel about alcoholism."
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Publisher:
Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2001.
ISBN:
9780195148107
019514810X
019514810X
Branch Call Number:
FIC Hardy
FIC Hardy 3578au 1
FIC Hardy 3578au 1
Characteristics:
xxiv, 335 p. ; 17 cm. --
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Add a CommentThis novel served as my introduction to the work of Thomas Hardy. The writing style was brilliant. The voice of the narrator was distinct and acted as a humorous, yet insightful commentary on the strengths and shortcomings of the characters as key events unfolded. The clarity of the characters' motivations combined with the domino-like consequences of their actions made this an engaging and memorable story.
A powerful, moving tale of a remarkable man who overcomes his very humble beginnings and despite a shameful foolish act of his youth, rises to a position of respectability in his community as well as considerable wealth. Yet in the end, he succumbs to his inner demons and fatal flaws of character and utterly destroys all that he had achieved. Despite its archaic style and dated setting, the book hold one's attention right through to its inevitable tragic end.
A portrait of unconditional despair. The erosion to oblivion of a man.
Lacks maps, notes, and glossary for regionalisms and obsolescent words and phrases (the library should've ordered the Penguin Classics edition).
AMAZING CLASSIC!!!!! once you get used to the style of writing it proves to be an unforgettable read. loved the wife selling scene
The ultimate who done it. Written as a newspaper weekly series. Old english...I didn't guess the ending correctly!