Victorian
3 primary works
Book 112
Published in 1882, "Two on a Tower", Hardy's ninth novel, is his most complete and daring treatment of the theme of love between characters of different classes and ages. Viviette, the married lady of the manor, is nine years older than Swithin St Cleve, the 20-year old "Adonis-astronomer", a "lad of striking beauty, scientific attainments, and cultivated bearing", the orphaned son of a curate who married the daughter of a family of farmers. The story of their love, both complex and remarkable, involves adultery and accidental polygamy. On publication some reviewers considered the novel to be immoral, and one suggested that the treatment of the Bishop of Melchester might be regarded as a "studied and gratuitous insult aimed at the Church". This sensational tale is informed throughout by the astronomical images and reflections which were preoccupying Hardy at the time of the book's composition. This critical edition is based on a study of the manuscript and Hardy's revised printed versions, and presents a text in which many variants make their appearance in print for the first time.
Book 127
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
Book 151
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.