Thank you for the review. I'm not as keen on the book as you are, although I am glad I read it. I agree that, for this type of literature, it is extremely accessible and technically superb; however, I did find the plot points a little bit too contrived. For me, the novel's central theme is to show how difficult it is to overcome one's central character flaws. This is all well and good, but I couldn't help but feel that much of the dramatic tension is derived from the various characters' inability to remove the giant victorian sticks each had lodged up their backsides. Of course, to be fair, that sort of socio-cultural conditioning was probably extremely powerful--if not during the historical time when the novel takes place, then certainly when Hardy was writing the book. Again, thanks for the review as I find it beneficial to my understanding of a novel to consider other reactions to it.

Excellent review! I always forget how much I've enjoyed Hardy in the past.

Great discussion, this is one of my favorite Hardy novels. That opening scene surely grabs you!

Tess of the D'Urbervilles put me off Hardy years ago. However, I recently read The Mayor of Casterbridge and Far From the Madding Crowd and loved them both.

Your review was so good I considered picking this novel up for Victober.... then I remembered it’s Hardy.🤓.

Dear Sir, Thank you very much for this informative video! As a non-native reader of the English language, I find it challenging to read Hardy. I am a literature student and would be very grateful if you can give me some tips to read his language. Thanks!

@thebooktraveller1901

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comments. Read slowly and look up words you don't understand in a dictionary.

@kathirthegreat1431

3 жыл бұрын

@@thebooktraveller1901 I will do that, Sir. Thank you!

The Mayor of Casterbridge is right up there with The Great Gatsby and The Age of Innocence on my list of favourite literature...😆...I've tried to make it through twice and each time put down the book in annoyed disgust. I liked the opening, but after that I found the plot silly and I couldn't make myself care about what happened to anyone in the novel.

@JosephFrancisBurton

4 жыл бұрын

Alan Moreton - sorry Alan, I am going to have to side with Amy on this one..!! I am glad you enjoyed the novel though, and thank you as always for this review.