Thomas Hardy Knihy

Hlavním hrdinou je zemědělský dělník Michael Henchard, který v opilosti prodá neznámému námořníku svoji ženu a dítě a potom se celý svůj život marně namáhá napravit tento hrozný čin. Díky své přičinlivosti, bystrosti a energii se domůže vynikajícího postavení, ale minulost ho pronásleduje dál a donutí ho, aby svedl zápas nejen o postavení a majetek, ale i o přízeň svých blízkých...

Typicky hardyovská atmosféra ponurého vřesoviště, precizní miniportréty lidí, jež zde žijí, překrásný jazyk, náznaky a symboly, množství odkazů a lehké ironie při charakterizaci jednotlivých postav, to vše provází tajemný příběh o slavných křtinách na samotě u pastýře Fennela, příběh záhadného uprchlíka, kterého všichni obdivovali pro jeho chladnokrevnost, ale který nebyl nikdy dopaden.

Tento hluboce pravdivý obraz Anglie na konci minulého století, mistrně vyprávěný a patřící dnes k předním dílům světové literatury, znamenal osudový mezník v autorově životě. Hardy, znechucený nespravedlivými útoky veřejnosti, se po vydání tohoto románu navždycky rozloučil s prozaickou literární činností a obrátil se k poezii. A proč se měšťácká společnost tak popudila? Snad proto, že autor tak mistrně vyjádřil na tragickém osudu hrdinů románu veškerou svou hrůzu ze společnosti, jež ve jménu konvencí lhostejně maří lidské životy. Sirotek Juda Fawley už od dětství touží po vzdělání a snaží se ze všech sil překonat překážky a dostat se do svého vysněného ráje – blízkého Oxfordu (v románě nazývaného Christminster) a vystudovat univerzitu. Po létech úporného zápasu však shledává, že brány vědy jsou pro lidi jeho druhu uzavřeny. A tak on, jenž má všechny předpoklady k tomu, aby zakotvil v univerzitní koleji, musí trvale pracovat jen kolem její budovy. Juda touží po lásce spřízněné bytosti, kterou odmalička tak postrádal – a prožije neradostné zkušenosti se svou sobeckou první ženou. Ani když pozná sestřenici Sue a hluboce se do ní zamiluje, nedojde štěstí. Jejich krásný lidský vztah ubíjejí všední skutečnosti, předsudky a měšťácká morálka.

Román Daleko od hlučícího davu patří k nejzářivějším pokladům anglické literatury. Už jeho první vydání v roce 1874 se stalo literární senzací, kniha se vyprodala během pouhých dvou měsíců a Thomasi Hardymu vynesla reputaci předního spisovatele viktoriánské doby. Čím kniha tolik zaujala ve své době a čím dodnes oslovuje další generace čtenářů? Hardyho román v sobě úchvatně kombinuje romantickou love story s upřímným, otevřeným vylíčením anglického venkova; nejedná se však o nějakou pastorální idylu, jakkoli je kniha prodchnutá nostalgií. Právě naopak, v mnoha ohledech jde o zcela moderní příběh s ryze moderní hrdinkou – mladá, nezávislá statkářka Batsheba se už dávno zařadila do kánonu velkých postav světové literatury, podobně jako její tři velice rozdílní nápadníci, oddaný pastýř Gabriel, postarší statkář Boldwood a světácký seržant Troy. Spletitý děj plný zvratů, nádherné popisy jihoanglické krajiny i života na venkově, zajímavě vykreslené postavy a dokonalá práce se čtenářovým očekáváním – to vše dělá z románu Daleko od hlučícího davu vpravdě mistrovské dílo, které nepochybně stojí za přečtení i dnes.

Thomas Hardy napsal kratších povídek několik svazků, z nichž Drobné ironie života jsou poslední a jsou psány v době, kdy vypravovatelské umění Hardyho plně vyzrálo a dosáhlo svého vrcholu (vyšly r. 1894). Jak naznačuje již název, projevuje se v těchto povídkách známá životná ironie, která si s lidmi zahrává a způsobuje, že se často to, co se zdá výhodou a ziskem, to, čeho si kdo přál a po čem toužil, proměňuje v pravý opak, v zklamání a žal. S neobyčejnou plastičností vystupují před námi osoby a scenerie povídek a je obdivuhodno, s jak nepatrnými prostředky dosahuje umění autorovo toho plného účinku. Jako živé pohybují se před námi tyto osoby, bezděčně se vžíváme v jejich city a prožíváme s nimi zvraty jejich osudů, někdy velmi překvapující. Kniha svým obsahem i formou plně zaujme čtenáře a nezklame jeho očekávání.

Citové drama dvou mladých lidí, místního rodáka, který se vrací domů z velkého světa Paříže, a ambiciózní dívky, toužící uniknout ze zastaralého venkova. Moderní překlad v Čechách dosud méně známého románu jednoho z nejvýznamnějších představitelů viktoriánské literatury. Působivý, bolestně tragický milostný příběh patří do skupiny tzv. wessexských románů.

Baladicky laděný příběh venkovské dívky Tess je nejvášnivější obžalobou morálky, jakou si lze představit. Román Thomase Hardyho Tess z D’Urbervillů patří k nejslavnějším viktoriánským románům a na čtenářské oblibě neztratil dodnes. Ve své době vzbudil obrovský rozruch a náležitě bouřlivou odezvu, zvláště díky autorově vášnivé obžalobě puritánské viktoriánské morálky. Podobně jako většina Hardyho ostatních románů se i Tess z D’Urbervillů odehrává ve fiktivním jihoanglickém hrabství Wessex; jeho hlavní hrdinkou je venkovská dívka Tess, jejíž upřímnost, citlivost a mravní nesmlouvavost naráží na pokrytecké konvence okolí a postupně vede k hrdinčině tragédii. Baladický příběh navíc působivě dokresluje časový rámec knihy: do poklidných venkovských končin začínají doléhat ozvěny společenských změn vyvolaných industrializací; lidé začínají ztrácet staré jistoty a mají před sebou náhle budoucnost zbavenou opor – ale zároveň i nové možnosti. Tato situace dává autorovi podnět k filosofickému zamyšlení nad osudovými silami, ovlivňujícími úděl člověka.

A pastoral work telling of the struggle of the Mellstock Quire, a group of country church musicians, against the threat of their replacement by a single organist. It also tells of the love of Fancy Day and Dick Dewy.

V krasových jeskyních u vesnice West Poley v Sommersetském hrabství byl pramen říčky, který objevili dva chlapci. Zkusili ho zavést jiným směrem a zažili různá dobrodružství v tajemném podzemí i mezi vesničany, závislými svým majetkem na říčním toku. Napínavé vyprávění klasika anglické literatury je oživeno realistickou psychologií a s optimistickým humorem líčí chlapeckou touhu po dobrodružství, spravedlnosti a hrdinství.

Autor nás zavádí v románě na západoanglickou venkovskou samotu v osmdesátých letech minulého století. Na pozadí věčného koloběhu přírody ztvárňuje řadu milostných vztahů, jejichž hrdinové stojí na různých stupních společenského žebříčku, jsou si nedosažitelní a prodírají se spletí navyklých představ a obecně uznávaných předsudků k poznání pravých hodnot a partnerů. Jeden z tzv. wessexských románů, který nemilosrdně odhaluje přežité společenské konvence.

The volume includes five of Hardy's best-loved novels, Under the Greenwood Tree, Far from the Madding crowd, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and Hardy's own favourite The Woodlanders.These much loved novels demonstrate the full range and power of Hardy's greatest fiction, including tragic heroes and heroines such as Michael Henchard and Tess, the bittersweet romance of Bathsheba and her lovers, and Hardy's matchless evocation of the shifting patterns of English rural life.

This collection presents five classic horror stories that delve into themes of unsettling dread and the unknown. Each tale, from Grant Allen's eerie "Pallinghurst Barrow" to H.P. Lovecraft's chilling "The Very Old Folk," explores the darker aspects of human experience. Notable works like Arthur Machen's "The Great God Pan" and Thomas Hardy's "The Withered Arm" contribute to an atmosphere of suspense and terror, ensuring a sleepless night for readers seeking the macabre.

The phrase `life's little ironies' is now proverbial, but it was coined by Hardy as the title for this, his third volume of short stories. While the tales and sketches reflect many of the strengths and themes of the great novels, they are powerful works in their own right. Unified by his quintessential irony, strong visual sense, and engaging characters, they deal with the tragic and the humorous, the metaphysical and the magical. The collection displays the whole range of Hardy's art as a writer of fiction, from fantasy to uncompromising realism, and from the loving re-creation of a vanished rural world to the repressions of fin-de-siecle bourgeois life.

Five novels are augmented by a biographical introduction and enhanced with contemporary photographs of the Wessex landscape

This poetic collection reveals Thomas Hardy's lyrical prowess and deep contemplation of the human condition. Published in the early 20th century, it highlights his versatility as a writer, showcasing a seamless transition from prose fiction to verse. The anthology features a blend of satirical elements and reflective pieces, offering readers insight into Hardy's thoughts and emotions during a transformative era in literature.

This work comprises a collection of the poetic works of Thomas Hardy. Hardy's poetry spanned over 50 years from the last half of the 19th century to the period after World War I, and ranges from pessimistic works to those which were witty and fanciful.

Classic / British EnglishMichael Henchard is a wealthy and respected man, but he has a terrible secret. Twenty years ago, when he was unemployed and penniless, he sold his wife to a sailor. Now she is looking for him again. Why? And what will happen when she finds him?

Bathsheba Everdene is young, proud, and beautiful. She is an independent woman and can marry any man she chooses - if she chooses. In fact, she likes her independence, and she likes fighting her own battles in a man's world. But it is never wise to ignore the power of love.

This poetry collection features Thomas Hardy's reflections on life's transience and the human experience, capturing societal changes of his era. The verses explore themes of love, loss, and complex relationships, providing an intimate look at the emotional landscape of humanity. Hardy's elegant language and introspective tone highlight his poetic craftsmanship, offering profound contemplation of existence's challenges. This anthology stands as a significant contribution to English literature and poetry, resonating with timeless relevance.

STAGE 3 - 1000 headwords | B1 | Preliminary | Classic A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented” The story, set in a poor rural area of England in the 19th century, centres around Tess Durbeyfield, a sweet, innocent, country girl who is a victim of fate and her own beauty. When her lazy father finds out that his ancestors were the noble d’Urberville family, he dreams of winning back this glory for his own family. Tess, 16 years old at the start of the story and the eldest of seven children, is pushed by her parents to go and work for Alec d’Urberville who will change Tess’s life in a dramatic way. In the middle of the chaos caused by Alec d’Urberville, Tess meets Angel Clare. Will he love her forever as he promises, without judging her for her past? Or will Alec d’Urberville become her master? Read and find out. Syllabus Grammar and structures Present simple and continuous, past simple and continuous, present and past perfect simple. Future with go-ing to and will. Passive forms. Modal verbs. Verb + infinitive, verb + ing. Phrasal verbs. First and second condi- tional. Comparatives and superlatives. In this Reader you will find: Information about Thomas Hardy and his times | Focus on section about Stonehenge | Glossary of difficult words | Comprehension and extension activities including B1 Preliminary style activities Tags Classic literature | Relationships | Fate | Judgement

With unfailing honesty and lyrical writing, Thomas Hardy captured his heroes' intimate relationship with the natural and social environment. Here are three of his finest works, uncut. "Tess of the Durbervilles" tells the tragic tale of a poor girl's coming of age and traumatic relationships with two men. Michael Henchard, in "The Mayor of Casterbridge," reaches the pinnacles of power-only to lose everything. Set in Hardy's beloved Wessex, "Far From the Madding Crowd" centers on Bathsheba Everdene and the men who love her.

Thomas Hardy's first love was always poetry, but it was not until 1898, when he was fifty-eight years old and had already established his reputation with fourteen novels and over forty short stories, that his first book of poetry, Wessex Poems, was published. For the final thirty years of his life he abandoned fiction and devoted himself entirely to poetry. ... The Complete Poems, appearing for the first time in paperback, was edited by James Gibson for the New Wessex series and includes all of Hardy's prolific output of over 900 poems -- his eight books of verse, all the uncollected poems, 'Domicilium' and the songs from The Dynasts. --PAPERMAC.

Featuring Clement Clarke Moore's beloved Christmas poem, this elegant hardback collection also includes festive works by Ralph Waldo Emerson and John Clare. Enhanced by Arthur Rackham's classic illustrations and charming vintage art throughout, the book is designed with a foil-embossed cover, ivory pages, and gilded edges. As part of the Arcturus Ornate Classics series, it offers a beautifully bound edition of timeless poetry, making it an ideal gift for fans of classic literature and holiday cheer.

Thomas Hardy is one of the sacred figures in English writing, a novelist with a world reputation, but above all a great poet. This work is a selection of Hardy's love poems.

Bathsheba Everdene is young and beautiful. She has her own farm and she likes to do things her way. Three men are in love with her - a poor shepherd, a rich farmer and a soldier. Which man will she choose, and will he be the right one for her?Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online.Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.

This award-winning graded readers series is full of original fiction, adapted fiction and factbooks especially written for teenagers.

FIRST EDITION. 1985 Select Editions oblong hardcover, British import. Thomas Hardy. “The Darkling Thrush” is a poem by the English poet and novelist Thomas Hardy. The poem describes a desolate world, which the poem’s speaker takes as cause for despair and hopelessness. However, a bird (the “thrush”) bursts onto the scene, singing a beautiful and hopeful song—so hopeful that the speaker wonders whether the bird knows something that the speaker doesn’t. -

As Thomas Hardy's first published novel, it offers a compelling exploration of desire and moral conflict. Originally serialized in 1871, the story delves into the complexities of love and the lengths individuals will go to achieve their desires. Set against a backdrop of Victorian society, it examines themes of fate and the consequences of choices, showcasing Hardy's signature blend of realism and emotional depth. The novel reflects the author's early style and sets the stage for his later, more renowned works.

A complete collection of Hardy's poetry, an output of over 900 poems, including his eight books of verse, all the uncollected poems, "Domicilium" and the songs from "The Dynasts". Hardy was 58 when his first book of poetry "Wessex Poems" was published.

A Pair of Blue Eyes, though early in the sequence of Hardy's novels, is lively and gripping. Its dramatic cliff-hanging episode, for example, is at once tense, ironic, feministic and erotic.

Recommended for adult literacy - intermediate level.

Macmillan Readers v této pokročilosti můžete číst asi po dvou letech studia angličtiny, knihy mají 80 až 69 stran. K porozumění vám postačí slovní zásoba 1 400 slov. Kniha je balena s poslechovým CD a obsahuje 8 stran cvičení. věk 15+ Jeden z největších románů Hardyho, daleko od hlučícího davu vypráví příběh života a osudových lásek odvážné a krásné Betsabé Everdene... Popis: Macmillan Readers v této pokročilosti můžete číst asi po dvou letech studia angličtiny, knihy mají 80 až 69 stran. K porozumění vám postačí slovní zásoba 1 400 slov.One of Hardy's greatest novels, Far from the Madding Crowd tells the story of the life and loves of the brave and the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene. // Attention: If no attachments (CDs, booklets etc.) are shown in the photo, they are not included.

Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting her 'cousin' Alec proves to be her downfall. A very different man, Angel Clare, seems to offer her love and salvation, but Tess must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future. With its sensitive depiction of the wronged Tess and powerful criticism of social convention, Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the most moving and poetic of Hardy's novels.

The quintessential Victorian novelist of unforgettable characters caught in their inescapable with unfailing honesty and lyrical writing, Thomas Hardy captured his heroes' intimate relationship with the natural and social environment. Here are three of his finest works, presented in their entirety. Tess of the Durbervilles tells the tragic tale of a poor young girl's coming of age and her traumatic relationships with two the wealthy and cold Alec D'Urberville and the beautiful, but unforgiving Angel Clare. Michael Henchard, the title character of The Mayor of Casterbridge , reaches the pinnacles of power-only to lose everything through folly and bad luck. Set in Hardy's beloved Wessex, and always attentive to the struggles of everyday life in the farming community, Far From the Madding Crowd centers on Bathsheba Everdene and the men who love her.

Designed to appeal to the book lover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautifully bound pocket-sized gift editions of much loved classic titles. Bound in real cloth, printed on high quality paper, and featuring ribbon markers and gilt edges, Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. Thomas Hardy saw himself, first and foremost, as a poet and he composed poetry throughout his prolific and acclaimed novel-writing years. In 1896, dismayed by the criticism he received on publication of Jude the Obscure, he astonished his worldwide readership by announcing that he would write no more novels. From 1898, until his death in 1928, Hardy published eight volumes of poetry - beginning with Wessex Poems and Other Verses - and this entirely new selection gives us the best from each volume. Now regarded as a bridge between the Victorian era and Modernism, his poetry is lyrical and soul-searching with subjects ranging from the poignant grief at the death of his wife to his experiences of war. Edited and introduced by Ned Halley.

Thomas Hardy's "Poetical Matter" notebook, the last published from a select group of his surviving notebooks, has been meticulously edited with comprehensive scholarly annotation. This notebook includes numerous notes copied from old pocket-books that were later destroyed, allowing it to reflect all periods of Hardy's life. It is particularly valuable for enhancing biographical knowledge of his final years and preserving intimate records, such as his vivid memories of childhood in Bockhampton and his impressions of a woman seen during a 1868 pleasure steamer trip. Its uniqueness lies in its role as a late working notebook focused specifically on verse. Florence Hardy, his widow, noted his late-life creative surge, feeling he could write indefinitely. "Poetical Matter" serves as direct evidence of his active engagement with poetry, showcasing his thoughts on new poems up until shortly before his death at eighty-seven. The notebook is rich with new ideas for poems and sequences, illustrating Hardy's creative process as he worked through initial concepts, gathered notes, tentative prose, verse fragments, metrical schemes, and rhyme patterns, ultimately leading to the drafts from which completed poems would emerge.

Tempestuous Eustacia Vye passes her days dreaming of passionate love and the escape it may bring from the small community of Egdon Heath. Hearing that Clym Yeobright is to return from Paris, she sets her heart on marrying him, believing that through him she can leave rural life and find fulfilment elsewhere. But she is to be disappointed, for Clym has dreams of his own, and they have little in common with Eustacia’s. Their unhappy marriage causes havoc in the lives of those close to them, in particular Damon Wildeve, Eustacia’s former lover, Clym’s mother and his cousin Thomasin. The Return of the Native illustrates the tragic potential of romantic illusion and how its protagonists fail to recognize their opportunities to control their own destinies.

Controversial when it was first published for challenging Victorian morals, Tess of the d'Urbervilles is here presented in a thoroughly edited and extensively annotated edition.

This is the novel that was Hardy's own favorite "as a story". It appears here for the first time critically edited, in a text based on the manuscript but incorporating Hardy's later revisions.

An alternate cover edition for this ISBN can be found here and here.Thomas Hardy's short stories reveal a literary persona, a creative intelligence and an imaginative vision uniquely and unmistakably his own. Those contained within this volume are among his finest and most representative and include The Withered Arm, one of his best known and most gripping; Barbara of the House of Grebe, said by T. S. Eliot to portray 'a world of pure evil'; The Son's Veto, regarded by Hardy as his best story; and, of course, The Distracted Preacher, possibly the most flawless of all. Like the novels, the short stories reveal Hardy's preoccupation with affairs of the heart, with love requited and frustrated, fulfilled or doomed. They contain many of his most powerful portraits of women; they are streaked with the grotesque, the macabre and bizarre; and they are permeated by that atmosphere, narrative power, and vivid sense of place and its intimate relation to character which are the essentials of Hardy's genius.

Tess is driven by her poverty into the service of her wealthy relations. Her lowly position leads her to become the victim of her cousin, Alec, her seducer and nemesis. When she marries Angel Clare, she confesses her past, but Clare is unforgiving and cruelly leaves her to face her destiny alone.

Selected Short Stories: Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 near Dorchester in that part of England he called Wessex. With stories sometimes from his own imagination and sometimes from local tradition, Hardy's work, like Dickens and Trollope, creates a strong sense of mood and location. Hardy hoped to be remembered for his poetry, but ours is not a poetic age. Thus his claim to a new generation of listeners rests on his prose. There are great similarities between his era, a time of challenge, and our own. This collection of short stories shows Hardy at his best and includes: "The Three Strangers," "The Withered Arm," "The Fiddler of the Reels," "Barbara of the House of Grebe" and "The Distracted Preacher."

Word count 11,680 Read at a comfortable level with word count and CEFR level on every cover Illustrations, photos, and diagrams support comprehension Activities build language skills and check understanding Glossaries teach difficult vocabulary Free editable tests for every book Selected Bookworms are available for your tablet or computer through the Oxford Learner's Bookshelf

Wessex Tales was the first collection of Hardy's short stories, and they reflect the experience of a novelist at the height of his powers.

"When Jack and Joan Durbeyfield learn that their ancestors were the d'Urbervilles - a rich and well-known family - they hope it will make their lives better. They send their eldest daughter, Tess, to introduce herself to some 'relatives'. There, Tess meets Alec d'Urberville, who immediately notices her beauty. The terrible event that follows changes her life forever."--Publisher

The Bookworms series offers six graded stages provide more than 130 stories at different levels of ability. The lower levels feature a wide choice of original stories, while the higher levels feature adaptations of well-known works originally published for native speakers. There are titles to suit all tastes: fantasy and horror; thriller and adventure; classics; true stories; crime and mystery; human interest.

Includes a selection of poems by Robert Browning, Emily Bronte, Matthew Arnold, William Butler Yeats, Rudyard Kipling, George Eliot, and others.

This collection of short stories was first published in one volume in 1894, it includes "An Imaginative Woman" orginally published in "Wessex Tales; " "On the Western Circuit", a favorite of Hardy's second wife, Florence; " A Tragedy of Two Ambitions", "The Fiddler of the Reels", "For Conscience Sake", "To Please His Wife", "A Few Crusted Characters", and "The Son's Veto", regarded by Hardy as his best short story.

Paula Power inherits an ancient castle,but can't decide the style to rebuild,nor can she decide about her architect

This selection was the third that Hardy collected together himself for publication as a single volume. It reflects the experiences of a novelist who was at the height of his creative powers. The stories are thematically linked by a concern with the diverse problems of marriage

The daughter of a wealthy railway magnate, Paula Power inherits De Stancy Castle, an ancient castle in need of modernization. She commissions George Somerset, a young architect, to undertake the work. Somerset falls in love with Paula but she, the Laodicean of the title, is torn between his admiration and that of Captain De Stancy.

As the last of Hardy's novels to be published, The Well-Beloved has generated great scholarly interest recently. Partly autobiographical, it tells the story of the sculptor Jocelyn Pierston, whose search for the ideal woman in both Portland and London leads him into courtships with a Portland woman, her daughter and her grand-daughter. This edition is the first to recover Hardy's final revisions to the text.

A POCKET CLASSICS edition of a collection of short stories, all of which reflect Hardy's love of the supernatural. Stories include THE WAITING SUPPER, ALICIA'S DIARY and THE ROMANTIC ADVENTURES OF A MILKMAID. By the author of JUDE THE OBSCURE and THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE.

Lady Constantine breaks all the rules of social decorum when she falls in love with the beautiful youth Swithin St Cleeve, her social inferior and ten years her junior. The tower in question is a monument converted into an astronomical observatory where together the lovers 'sweep the heavens'. Science and romance are destined to collide, however, as work, ambition and the pressures of the outside world intrude upon the pair. In what Sally Shuttleworth calls 'a drama of oppositions and conflicts', Hardy's story sets male desire against female constancy, and 'describes an arc across the horizon of late nineteenth-century social and cultural concerns: sexuality, class, history, science and religion'. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

'Woman much missed, how you call to me, call to me...' After the death of his wife Emma, a grief-stricken Hardy wrote some of the best verse of his career. Moving and evocative, it ranks among the greatest elegiac poetry in the language. Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions. Thomas Hardy (1840-1928). Hardy's works available in Penguin Classics are A Laodicean, A Pair of Blue Eyes, Desperate Remedies, Far from the Madding Crowd, Jude the Obscure, Selected Poems, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, The Distracted Preacher and Other Tales, The Fiddler of the Reels and Other Stories, The Hand of Ethelberta, The Mayor of Casterbridge, The Pursuit of the Well-beloved and The Well-beloved, The Return of the Native, The Trumpet-Major, The Withered Arm and Other Stories, The Woodlanders, Two on a Tower and Under the Greenwood Tree.

A collectible new Penguin Classics series: stunning, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets, which present each poet's most famous book of verse as it was originally published. Designed by the acclaimed Coralie Bickford-Smith and beautifully set, these slim, A format volumes are the ultimate gift editions for poetry lovers. Wessex Poems was Hardy's first collection of poetry, published after he had turned away from novel writing, disillusioned by the savage reception Jude the Obscure had received. Its publication marked the start of an extraordinary new phase in Hardy's writing career: for the rest of his long life, he would write only poetry. Here are sprightly Dorset ballads, verses set during the Napoleonic Wars, and personal poems reflecting on Hardy's life and loves. Composed throughout Hardy's life and animated by his affection for his beloved Wessex, their publication in 1898 heralded the arrival of a major new poetic voice.

On a stormy winter night, a stranger knocks at the door of a shepherd's cottage. He is cold and hungry, and wants to get out of the rain. He is welcomed inside, but he does not give his name or his business. Who is he, and where has he come from? And he is only the first visitor to call at the cottage that night... In these three short stories, Thomas Hardy gives us pictures of the lives of shepherds and hangmen, dukes and teachers. But rich or poor, young or old, they all have the same feelings of fear, hope, love, jealousy...

Jocelyn Pierston, celebrated sculptor, tries to create an image of his ideal woman - his imaginary Well-Beloved - in stone, just as he tries to find her in the flesh.

This award-winning collection of adapted classic literature and original stories develops reading skills for low-beginning through advanced students. Accessible language and carefully controlled vocabulary build students' reading confidence. Introductions at the beginning of each story, illustrations throughout, and glossaries help build comprehension. Before, during, and after reading activities included in the back of each book strengthen student comprehension. Audio versions of selected titles provide great models of intonation and pronunciation of difficult words.

Bathsheba Everdene is a beautiful young woman with three men who love her, but, unfortunately for her, she chooses the wrong man to marry.

Violated by one man, forsaken by another, Tess Durbeyfield is the magnificent and spirited heroine of Thomas Hardy's immortal work. Of all the great English novelists, no one writes more eloquently of tragic destiny than Hardy. With the innocent and powerless victim Tess, he creates profound sympathy for human frailty while passionately indicting the injustices of Victorian society. Scorned by outraged readers upon its publication in 1891, Tess of the d'Urbervilles is today one of the enduring classics of nineteenth-century literature.

Hardy tells the story of Tess Durbeyfield, a beautiful young woman living with her impoverished family in Wessex, the southwestern English county immortalized by Hardy. After the family learns of their connection to the wealthy d'Urbervilles, they send Tess to claim a portion of their fortune.

The story revolves around Elfride Swancourt, a young woman caught in a love triangle between two suitors from contrasting social backgrounds. As she navigates her feelings and the complexities of her relationships, themes of class disparity and emotional turmoil emerge, highlighting the challenges of love in a divided society. The narrative explores the tensions between desire and societal expectations, ultimately shaping Elfride's journey of self-discovery and the choices she must make.

The Norton Critical Edition features a comprehensive collection of critical essays, background materials, and contextual information that enhance the understanding of the primary text. It includes detailed annotations, historical context, and scholarly interpretations, making it an invaluable resource for students and readers seeking deeper insights. The edition also offers a selection of illustrations and supplementary texts that enrich the reading experience, providing a well-rounded exploration of the work's themes and significance.

The collection showcases Thomas Hardy's poetry, reflecting his critical view of Victorian society, particularly the plight of rural communities in South West England. Influenced by Romanticism and the works of William Wordsworth, Hardy's verses capture the essence of his era while expressing deep empathy for the struggles of the marginalized. As a Victorian realist, he intertwines his literary prowess with social commentary, offering readers a poignant exploration of themes related to decline and resilience in a changing world.

The narrative follows a country girl of noble descent who faces betrayal and tragedy after being seduced and left pregnant. Following the death of her baby, she encounters a man she hopes to build a future with, only to be abandoned on their wedding night when she reveals her past. The story explores themes of social class, morality, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society, highlighting the harsh realities of her life and the impact of her choices.

Set against a picturesque rural backdrop, this edition features an etching by H. Macbeth-Raeburn and a map of Wessex, enhancing its charm. The book presents a faithful reprint of the original 1898 publication, capturing the essence of its time. The artwork and map provide a visual context that complements the narrative, making it a delightful addition for readers interested in historical literature and the beauty of the Dutch School's influence.

This high-quality reprint of the original 1872 edition offers a glimpse into rural life through the lens of the Dutch school of painting. The book captures the essence of pastoral scenes, providing readers with a vivid representation of countryside beauty and simplicity. Its unchanged format allows for an authentic experience of the art and culture of the time, making it a valuable addition for art enthusiasts and historians alike.

This reproduction focuses on making historical works accessible, particularly for individuals with impaired vision. The publishing house Megali is dedicated to producing these texts in large print, ensuring a more comfortable reading experience.

Focusing on the tumultuous journey of a man through fate's twists, this novel intricately examines human character and societal expectations. Set in the fictional Wessex, it offers a tragic narrative that highlights the inevitability of life's challenges and the impact of time on personal choices. Thomas Hardy's storytelling captures the complexities of the protagonist's experiences against a beautifully rendered backdrop, making it a poignant exploration of life's unpredictability.