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The Mayor of Casterbridge

(Modern Library Classics)

By J.I.M. Stewart, Thomas Hardy

(61)

| Paperback | 9780375760068

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Book Description

One of Hardy’s most powerful novels, The Mayor of Casterbridge opens with a shocking and haunting scene: In a drunken rage, Michael Henchard sells his wife and daughter to a visiting sailor at a local fair. When they return to Casterbridge some nineteen years later, Henchard—havinContinue

One of Hardy’s most powerful novels, The Mayor of Casterbridge opens with a shocking and haunting scene: In a drunken rage, Michael Henchard sells his wife and daughter to a visiting sailor at a local fair. When they return to Casterbridge some nineteen years later, Henchard—having gained power and success as the mayor—finds he cannot erase the past or the guilt that consumes him. The Mayor of Casterbridge is a rich, psychological novel about a man whose own flaws combine with fate to cause his ruin.

This Modern Library Paperback Classic reprints the authoritative 1912 Wessex edition, as well as Hardy’s map of Wessex.

Critics

  • 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' by Thomas Hardy

    When it comes to pre-20th century classics, Thomas Hardy is my man. Years before I started this blog I read and loved Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure. More recently I very much enjoyed A Mere Interlude, published as part of Penguin's G ... (read full critics)

    readingmatters published on Wed, 16 Feb 2011

5 Reviews

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  • Bleak Country

    I've just reread this after more than thirty years and I'm wondering how this tale of self imposed isolation and utter loneliness appealed to a teenager. And yet, I remember really enjoying it. Mystery.

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    Top of the pile said on Mar 18, 2011 | Add your feedback

  • I really enjoyed this book. I'd seen a lovely film version of it, which I only remembered the beginning of so it was really good to read it and get the full story. Hardy's prose was simply amazing in this book, so many of the passages, particularly in the first chapter were, really striking.

    I ... (continue)

    I really enjoyed this book. I'd seen a lovely film version of it, which I only remembered the beginning of so it was really good to read it and get the full story. Hardy's prose was simply amazing in this book, so many of the passages, particularly in the first chapter were, really striking.

    In the end I found myself feeling terribly sorry for Henchard. It was so interesting to see how he'd pulled himself together, and then it seemed that his world totally fell apart for no good reason. There was a lot of interesting character development and interactions in the novel, but I felt that not really seeing into their minds made it seem like they were all a bit disconnected. I think Hardy did a much better job in Jude the Obscure for portraying the motivation of his characters and giving insight into their nature.

    Another thing that was much better in the book was the historical side of things. It was interesting to see the effects of the Corn laws, and the slice of early 19th century life.

    At times I felt like the book was dragging a little, but I enjoyed it so much in the end that I'm very glad I read it. This is definitely my 2nd favorite of the Hardy novels I've read so far. (The first being Jude).

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    Robot-mel said on Dec 4, 2008 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

  • I tried

    A book club book. I wasn't keen on reading this, and it really didn't win me over. I got about half way through chapter 2, found the language difficult and couldn't really take it seriously. Possibly an acquired taste.

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    Athene1710 said on Oct 21, 2008 | Add your feedback

  • A great novel. The characters are superbly drawn. Some lovable, others not so pleasant, and some tragic. A wonderful picture of country life.

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    GraJon said on Aug 9, 2008 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

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9780375760068 Paperback $7.95 $7.15 bn.com
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