[.ca] Thomas Hardy Time Torn Man (ISBN 0141806877)

Thomas Hardy: man of literature:
I read this biography of Thomas Hardy in association with a discussion of the Mayor of Casterbridge: a very timely read. It is ironic that Thomas Hardy is known so well for his novels rather than his poetry. His ability to paint lyrical pictures in verse is, in my view, more consistent than his prose. Claire Tomalin's book is a very readable addition to the body of work about Hardy. In this book, we see Hardy the man with very human failings and foibles. We also see a man who is torn between urban, suburban and agricultural lifestyles. Much of this tension is shown in the way he presents society through his novels. For me, the portrayal of Hardy's relationships with the significant women in his life gives an extra dimension to Ms Tomalin's book. Thomas Hardy the author is perhaps easier to understand through Thomas Hardy the man. Recommended both to those who want to know more about Thomas Hardy specifically as well as to those who like to read about major literary figures. Jennifer Cameron-Smith