Anon
05-24-2005, 06:07 PM
I think this is one of Hardy's most 'optimistic' novels, if I can use that word, although it is not without the dark (and sometimes horrendously dark) moments that characterize Hardy's novels (especially Tess and Jude the Obscure). It is one of the few novels that have a 'happy ending' (although even the ending is not all hunky dory...but yes, it is reconciliation, and moving towards some sort of happiness.)<br> <br> I really like Bathsheba Everdene...she is gutsy, beautiful, and independent. Of course, she makes many mistakes, but that's because of a realistic portrayal of 'Farmer Everdene', as she is called. Hardy's novels are all about women, really. It is surprising and great to know that he hardly used the Victorian standards of 'decorum' and 'beeing seen and not heard' and all those double standards, in order to 'judge' or understand women. <br> <br> In the beginning, the novel may be a bit tedious, but as it goes on, it becomes interesting, and towards the end, quite 'unputdownable'. It is also packed with lots of good humour, action, and of course, romances. A good 'start' to reading Hardy.<br>