Book Club

[Puzzle Piece]

I was recently told that the writings are depressing.  I found the novels to be of interest and of course there were some hard times that were described.  The person who remarked was trying to get me to think I wasn't really reading good literature and that I made poor chooices.  I liked the writings and of ocurse, other authors who describe situations in such discriptive ways.  

[Bookplate]

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

I was recently told that the writings are depressing.  I found the novels to be of interest and of course there were some hard times that were described.  The person who remarked was trying to get me to think I wasn't really reading good literature and that I made poor chooices.  I liked the writings and of ocurse, other authors who describe situations in such discriptive ways.  

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@Puzzle Piece Considering that Thomas Hardy is considered to be one of the most important novelists and poets of 19th century England, I would say that the person who criticized him as an author knows exactly nothing about the subject!  His novels often describe characters in tragic situations stemming from societal injustices and are consequently serious in tone and sad in outcome.  Have you tried his poetry?  I remember quite liking it in college, and I think he considered himself to be a poet rather than a novelist.

[GenXmuse]

I enjoy Thomas Hardy. A lot of works from that time would be considered depressing but I don't find it a detriment. 

[walkingal]

Hardy's writing is considered to be sympathetic towards women.  If you read "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" you will agree.  I thoroughly enjoyed that book as well as "Far From the Madding Crowd."  

[Puzzle Piece]

@Bookplate Thanks for your reply.  I have not read his poetry but now I will make it goal to do so

The person who mde the remark isn't a happy person in my opinion and just wanted to 'say something' to someonw.  

[blueroses47]

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

@Bookplate Thanks for your reply.  I have not read his poetry but now I will make it goal to do so

The person who mde the remark isn't a happy person in my opinion and just wanted to 'say something' to someonw.  

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I love Thomas Hardy's novels.  I'm not so much into poetry, I'm not familiar with poetry in general, but one of Thomas Hardy's poems is my favoritie poem of all time.

I guess you could say it has depressing tones to it, it paints a dark picture, in a way, but the whole point of it, is that there is hope, hope that we may not be aware of.

It's called The Darkling Thrush.  I came across it in college, and I just never forgot it.  I read it now and again.

[Oznell]

@Puzzle Piece ,  I admire your taste in literature--  Hardy is great!

[mormel20]

I LOVE to read Thomas Hardy. "The Mayor of Casterbridge" is great.  I have read "Tess of the D'urbervilles", "Jude the Obscure", "The Woodlanders" and others.  His novels are certainly not upbeat or cheerful, but they are very interesting and evoke the time and place vividly.   If you enjoy Thomas Hardy you need to read Catherine Cookson novels which have a similar feel. But Catherine Cookson was writing in the mid 20th Century, so much later than Thomas Hardy.