The Woodlanders (1887)

I won’t even try to do this book justice. I couldn’t come close. For me it’s magical realism, with all the realism in the magic and all the magic in the realism. The pages exude atmosphere, atmosphere, and more atmosphere. His characters ride the hopelessness of humanity like dreamers in a slow boat. It’s easy to see why many people don’t like Hardy’s bleakness. But his world is mine, so I’m at home there. His austere presentation is beautiful. ( )

The novel reflects common Hardy themes: a rustic, evocative setting, poorly chosen marriage partners, unrequited love, social class mobility, and an unhappy, or at best equivocal, ending. As with most his other works, opportunities for fulfillment and happiness are forsaken or delayed. The plot was very credible and the characters were well developed. It had a very sad ending but very fitting for the circumstances. I would recommend this book if you have enjoyed some of this other writings. ( )

My least favorite Hardy to date. Probably a 3.5 star read after the second half but I really struggled feeling engaged in the first half. ( )

The Woodlanders Thomas Hardy
★★★

Set in the small country Hamlet of Little Hintock this is essentially the story of 2 families whose fate is intertwined.

When he steals the woman beloved of Winterbourne senior away only to have her die giving birth to his only daughter Melbury decides that to make amends he will pledge his daughter Grace to marry Winterbourne seniors only son Winterbourne Junior. This appears to be a good plot at first as the children are sweethearts however to make Grace into an asset as a wife Melbury sends her away to be privately educated.

Grace having finished her education returns to Little Hintock to find things not quite as she had been remembering them, her childhood home now appears small and humble and her childhood sweetheart is a stranger she feels she has outgrown, instead she becomes fascinated with newcomer Dr Fitzpiers.

Add into the mix the beautiful and rich landowner Mrs Charmond upon whom the fate of all The Woodlanders rests and you have the perfect mix for a tragic story of misunderstanding, lust, love and life in the English countryside.

This book is not in my edition of 1001 books and so I guess it has been removed which is a decision I agree with as Hardy is better recognised with the inclusion of Tess. Jude and the Madding Crowd.

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I've never been too keen on Hardy (Far from the Madding Crowd was possibly the first book I didn't finish) but actually I quite enjoyed this. I can't say I was much surprised by any of the events and the ending was a little too twee and redemptive, but the description and the way that Hardy portrays the natural surroundings is very poignant and kept me interested. I was rooting for Giles and Grace all along and I am still uncertain about Fitzpiers but a good read and I think I may reassess my Hardy hatred. I loved Tess of the D'Urbervilles and maybe it's just that I attempted his other works when I was too young? Anyway, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it but it was a good read and beautifully written, and as such deserves a place on the 1001 Books you must read before you die list. ( )