Mayor of Casterbridge (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

Great book with many twists and turns

Though some parts in the beginning of the book drag on a bit, the plot soon thickens. Each new event is unexpected and adds to the complexity of the writing. Many charchers evolve over the course of the book and you grow attached to them amd want to learn more aout their life. Overall the book is a good read for anyone interested in olden setting books with higher level vocabulary. Very enjoyable book :)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Worth the read!

Diving into The Mayor of Casterbridge with the highest of expectations, I found myself sorely disappointed after finishing the first third (or thereabouts) of the novel. Let's just say that, well, honestly, the first several chapters set the boo...k up for failure. Who doesn't know about Michael Henchard (the titular mayor, though his time in office occupies very little of the substance of the book) and his sale of his wife to an unassuming sailor in the first few pages? Such a scene brims with literary possibility, and Hardy did not disappoint--per se. However, as I read, I could not ward off the nagging dread that Hardy forced many of his plot twists just to keep readers entertained--he did serialize the novel before publishing it in book format, after all. Additionally, the first half of the book, though somewhat necessary to establish the characters, lacks much of the interest of the second half of the narrative. Nevertheless, this said second half is a true gem--so much so, in fact, that it largely makes up for its less-than-sterling earlier counterpart. Certainly worth the read, The Mayor of Casterbridge, at its best, is an excellent character study. Highly recommended!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the Best Summer Reading Books Ever

As a high school student, I wasn't too excited when I first picked up "The Mayor of Casterbridge" for my required reading. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Though in my opinion it is not a quick read (for there are slow parts in the plot that can be hard to get through), the overall story was extremely touching and memorable. Also, the language was very easy to understand without being too simple. I highly recommend.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The depravity of man

Hardy gives a good account of how one evil choice can lead to many others when a person seeks redemption without confession. Michael Henchard wants to improve himself but he never wants to reveal his past. Henchard swears off liquor but he never confesses why he has done so. Thomas Hardy really seems to understand many of our own thought processes as we decide we can make up for our past transgressions if we only really lead a good life. The mayor's past continually comes back on him until he finally has no place to turn. It is not a heart warming feel good book but it is a good read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Essence of the human condition

If there ever was a story that could be described as one representing the essence of the human condition, The Mayor of Casterbridge would be it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about matters of the heart, and the mistakes people make, some out of good intentions. The English countryside with its cozy feel and people comes alive through Hardy's canvases, and The Mayor of Casterbridge is no exception. This book is British literature at its best.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Thought provoking

Here is an excelent book. The story of ones mans selfishness and his ultimate lesson. There is something every human can learn from this book. We are all at one point like the mayor.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Surprisingly Good

I choose to read this book for an English project and was grateful I did. The author has your attention from the first 5 pages when the main character gets drunk and sells his wife at a fair.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the best books I've read all year!

This is such a wonderful and engrossing story about a man who lives with the consequences of a reckless deed he committed when he was young. It is a tragic novel, but oh, so well written and so compelling! I couldn't put it down! I absolutely loved it!!! This Barnes and Noble edition is superb! The introduction is very informative and the notes are excellent, adding so much to the enjoyment of the book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Incredible!

This is a fantastic must-read novel. Thomas Hardy gives life to his colorful characters expressing just about every human emotion such as love, hate, jealousy, sorrow, perseverance, forgiveness, and much more!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

PERFECT!

A beautiful touching tragedy. Hardy creates rich characters in all his works but Michael Henchard exceeds all.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Greatest Tragic Novelist

Thomas Hardy completely came out of nowhere and shocked me with this novel. It had been on my shelf for about half a year and this summer I read it. It only took about 4 days, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The contrast between the major characters, and the descriptions of the panoramic views were the perfect 1, 2 combo.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not Bad!

I was required to read this novel for Literature. It is does at some points become boring, and the ending is anti-climatic but the plot twists are entertaining. The premise is even intriguing that a guy sells his wife over a drunken bet!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Adeptation movie entitled "The Claim"

As soon as I saw the movie was an adeptation of Thomas Hardy's book "The Mayor of Casterbridge" I put a tape in my VCR and watched it and taped it at the same time because after having read so many of Thomas Hardy's books I knew it would be great. I've watched it again and again and invited my daughter to watch it. He was an exceptional writer for that period and I enjoy his books and I wish that they would do more of his work. I may have seen "Tess" a few years ago. I wish it would come out again. Maybe "The Movie Channel" will do it if its doable. Great movie and great books! "The Claim"

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

a general drama of pain.

Though I expected sadness and misery, I was hoping for something more profound at the ending than "Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain."

This is a many chaptered narrative that shows how the results of good intentioned-or-not mistakes can lead to personal ruin. The reader also will lose all respect for the main character.

A problem with Victorian Period literary giants I have is their long sentences. I counted one at 82 words.

Would only recommend this to someone who likes a challenging read (big words and colloquial language) and who doesn't mind a depressing, predictable story.

"The sun was resting on the hill like a drop of blood on an eyelid." Best line.

Though I expected sadness and misery, I was hoping for some

Though I expected sadness and misery, I was hoping for something more profound at the ending than "Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain."

This is a many chaptered narrative that shows how the results of good intentioned-or-not mistakes can lead to personal ruin. The reader also will lose all respect for the main character.

A problem with Victorian Period literary giants I have is their long sentences. I counted one at 82 words.

Would only recommend this to someone who likes a challenging read (big words and colloquial language) and who doesn't mind a depressing, predictable story.

"The sun was resting on the hill like a drop of blood on an eyelid." Best line.

Not an easy read but well worth it

I first read this book in middle school. It took me a while to finish but the questions it raises are universal and only more important as we age.

A Book to Love and Hate

This book is the synthesis of masterful writing, character development, and brilliant description. In itself, the book deserves the highest opinions amongst readers as one of the most enveloping reads Victorian England could have produced. However, the characters are so far from this beautiful perfection, that the contrast is angering and very frustrating, especially when we see the failings of the human heart, of the birth of weakness in the strong, of arrogant usurpation of the old by the new. It is a book you love to hate or hate to love.

A Challenge to Your Empathy

The genius of "The Mayor of Casterbridge" is in depicting a character you start out loathing, who improves himself only to be defamed when his past catches up with him. The titular character is a difficult person to empathize with and is one of the greater reasons why my interest was captured. Except for perhaps Humbert in "Lolita" (Nabakov) and the main character in "Disgrace" (Coetzee), there may not be a more difficult protagonist to like.

Chocked with Suspense

In the opening of this book, Michael Henchard, is introduced as a man who is focused solely on his shortcomings with wealth and his fate to be tied to his family whom he views as a hindrance to him.

Very early on in the story Hardy creates a scene in which Henchard is coaxed into public drunkenness where he proceeds to sell his wife and child to anyone willing to partake in his auction. The spectacle, however, is shortlived and before long Henchard is dreaming in his chair. The following morning as he rises he finds his loved ones missing and much to his dismay he soon recognizes his error.

This initial act continues to play a role in the character's conduct and motives throughout the events that follow. Because Henchard is never able to recover from his past wrongdoings, misfortune seems to shadow everything he happens upon.

As Donald Farfrae comes into the story it becomes clear from his successes that he has been introduced to foil the obscure Michael Henchard. This overt contradiction only adds to the downward spiral; hence in every area that Henchard has failed Farfrae has flourished.

With a handful of seemingly ordinary characters, Hardy has woven an intricate narration of scandal, revenge, and ultimately atonement. This book is an absolute classic!

eloquently written mumbo jumbo

this novel was originally written in installments in a magazine; perhaps it would be a stronger story if read in that manor. the major flaw with 'mayor of casterbridge' is the lack of a climax. the first chapter gave me hope, but the rest was like a bad sequel.