This book has to be one of the so-so books I have ever read. I mean it is really deep, with underlying themes galore. BUT... It is dry and motonous, bringing sleep and stupidity. Luckily, Steven Thorne is one of my best friends. He read me the book while I followed along. After you read it it really isn't that bad, the painful part is getting through it. If you are interesting in more Thomas Hardy books, I recomment Return of the Native. It is a good long book, too. <br>