This is my first time reading a classic so old as to have been published in 1886. Many critics say that this novel is one of the greatest works of Thomas Hardy and I could see that crystal clear when I was reading this book.
Thomas Hardy's naturalistic writing and the rendering of the ordinary life of the people in the 19th century is what makes the novel a magnificent one. Casterbridge- the fictitious village described beautifully by Hardy represents all the remote villages of England in the 19th century. And thus, I would recommend this book for all the lovers of English literature.
As the subtitle of the novel- The life and Death of a Man of character- itself suggests, this story is about the life of a man who comes to Casterbridge in his twenties and sells his wife and child, under the influence of alcohol and is left suffering for the rest of his life for having committed such a heinous sin. The protagonist, on the journey to his final destiny- Death, experiences fame, sufferings and betrayal. Thomas Hardy's bleak conception of the world is perspicuously shown in his novels in which the protagonist suffers in unbearable circumstances and as a result learns his true place in the universe.
This novel has very strong characters. The change in one's emotions according to the situations is pictured perfectly by Hardy. The main charm of this novel was its allegorical flow in which modernity and tradition are contradicted. The plot of this novel has been carefully constructed to amuse the readers at every turn. I was tantalized by the characterization too. The perfect and alluring phraseology of the novel was the biggest appeal to me. For example: when one of the main characters comes to know a life-changing truth, the author says that the character tries to " adjust her filial sense to the new centre of gravity ".
Now, I would like to end my review by quoting my favourite lines from the book:
" The highroad into the village of
Weydon-Priors was again carpeted
with dust. The trees had put on as
of yore their aspect of dingy green,
and where the Henchard family
of three had once walked along,
two persons not unconnected with
the family walked now. "
I hope you enjoyed the review!!! I will be back soon with more interesting reviews!!!
Thomas Hardy's naturalistic writing and the rendering of the ordinary life of the people in the 19th century is what makes the novel a magnificent one. Casterbridge- the fictitious village described beautifully by Hardy represents all the remote villages of England in the 19th century. And thus, I would recommend this book for all the lovers of English literature.
As the subtitle of the novel- The life and Death of a Man of character- itself suggests, this story is about the life of a man who comes to Casterbridge in his twenties and sells his wife and child, under the influence of alcohol and is left suffering for the rest of his life for having committed such a heinous sin. The protagonist, on the journey to his final destiny- Death, experiences fame, sufferings and betrayal. Thomas Hardy's bleak conception of the world is perspicuously shown in his novels in which the protagonist suffers in unbearable circumstances and as a result learns his true place in the universe.
This novel has very strong characters. The change in one's emotions according to the situations is pictured perfectly by Hardy. The main charm of this novel was its allegorical flow in which modernity and tradition are contradicted. The plot of this novel has been carefully constructed to amuse the readers at every turn. I was tantalized by the characterization too. The perfect and alluring phraseology of the novel was the biggest appeal to me. For example: when one of the main characters comes to know a life-changing truth, the author says that the character tries to " adjust her filial sense to the new centre of gravity ".
Now, I would like to end my review by quoting my favourite lines from the book:
" The highroad into the village of
Weydon-Priors was again carpeted
with dust. The trees had put on as
of yore their aspect of dingy green,
and where the Henchard family
of three had once walked along,
two persons not unconnected with
the family walked now. "
I hope you enjoyed the review!!! I will be back soon with more interesting reviews!!!
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