Interesting, Kathy, that on the day you posted, I was finishing a re-read of Hardy's "The Woodlanders." I had taught it as part of a Hardy seminar 30 years ago. Like you experience with "Tess," I couldn't recall how the novel was going to conclude (a good thing, in a way.) But it also says something about Hardy as writer--how he allows his characters to be manipulated by forces even outside of his control. It makes, still today, for interesting shadows and pathways for his wanderers. "Woodlanders" indeed.
So true! I just finished reading the incredibly vivid threshing scene. Any lesser writer would have thrown Tess into the thresher then and there. I've been looking for my next Hardy read. Putting "Woodlanders" on my list...
Interesting, Kathy, that on the day you posted, I was finishing a re-read of Hardy's "The Woodlanders." I had taught it as part of a Hardy seminar 30 years ago. Like you experience with "Tess," I couldn't recall how the novel was going to conclude (a good thing, in a way.) But it also says something about Hardy as writer--how he allows his characters to be manipulated by forces even outside of his control. It makes, still today, for interesting shadows and pathways for his wanderers. "Woodlanders" indeed.
So true! I just finished reading the incredibly vivid threshing scene. Any lesser writer would have thrown Tess into the thresher then and there. I've been looking for my next Hardy read. Putting "Woodlanders" on my list...
Let me know what you think after you've read it.