Return of the Native (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

Loved it!

I couldn't stop thinking about the characters after reading the book. Read to stimulate the brain. I enjoyed it!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Return of the Native

First of all, I just have to say...WHOA! What a deep, intriguing novel! Loved it all the way. Anyways, let's get to the review part. This novel is, for the most part, a tale of love distorted. The story pivots around five central characters. Eustacia Vye (a sexy, flirtatious muse lusting for vibrant city-life), Clym Yeobright (an intelligent young man who returns from Paris to relax in his native town, and weds the gorgeous Eustacia), Diggory Venn (the shy, shadowman of the novel, obsessively in love with Thomasin, he becomes her guardian angel in a sense that he refuses to allow any harm to come to her), Thomasin (Clym's cousin, who is delicate and innocent and mistakingly weds Damon), and Damon Wildeve (basically a 'player' who impulsively weds Thomasin when it appears that his passionate affair with Eustacia has fizzled). At last, all of these emotions boil over and result in a dynamic climax goading us towards a subtle, relieving ending. This book was embroidered with human sentiment and stenciled in sheer love. Can one ever tell where the heart truly leads? I don't know...but this book certainly opens up some doors.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

amazing

This book has one of the most brilliant tragic heroines of all time. It is beautifully written and every detail is meaningful. Read it for sure!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Simply captivating.

In my senior year of high school, I was made to read this novel. I was reluctant at first but I did not have to read very far before I was completely immersed in the plot. I could not put it down and then I wanted to read it again when I was done. It is a tragic love story, but it is not as cliche as Romeo and Juliet has become and is more unpredictable. My favorite book of all time!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Well worth listening to

I actually purchased this on CD for the sole reason that it was narrated by Alan Rickman. He has a marvelous voice. I didn't know much about the story but was drawn in by his portrayal of the many characters in the story. The voices he uses for each character are unique and I knew which character he was speaking as when listening to the story.

The first chapter, might put people off as it describes Egdon Heath in great detail. I listened to it twice as it was confusing. Once the human characters entered the scene, it just drew me in.

Hardy writes with much detail in this story. I felt I knew and understood the characters and miss them now that the story has concluded.

I would hope that Alan Rickman reads another book - makes it all the better!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Surprisingly good

You'd expect Hardy to be something English students have to suffer through, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. A pleasant surprise. Eustacia and Clym are far from the stereotypical repressed Englishfolk. I actually related to this and it was surprisingly suspenseful!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Return of the Native

I've always admired Thomas Hardy's work. This book has a plot that is very well developed. Like most the books, the beginning is hard to get through. But I liked the ending very much.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Timeless Classic

Hardy's masterpiece is perhaps the best description in a novel in English litterature. With the vivid image of the heath coupled with the absorbing plot, and characters whom excite, facinate and annoy (in the case of Clym) Rotn certainly is a timeless classic.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I know what happened here...

To april

Whateves i witnessed it jerk! I watched as they kissed and alex sat on dylans stomach and whatever they did next. So there "ape"ril!

Duncan

I thought the three stars was so we could tell it was you!? Gues not! Yaknow. If youve had to bribe your sister so much youd probably be due alot of money unless you got a high allowance. Also your sister eeems to always just want to get off when im on. And whenever your sisters on your on. Weird...

Dylan to alex

Hey you there

Alex

Yup

Years before Downton Abby

It took a bit for me to get up to speed with some of the wording but loving the story and the descriptions are incredible. Like Cold Mountain put me in the Carolina Mtns. this book puts me on the Scottish Heath.

Not One of Hardy's Finest...

I enjoy many of the works by Hardy but this one I am indifferent to. The beginning was not as easy read and boring at times. The actual story line was very interesting and the ending an utter dissapointment. The ending seemed to cliche frmo any other romantic tragedy. Through it all I enjoy Hardy's writing style and focus on character development along descriptions on pretty much everything.

Wonderful!!!

The Return of the Native is excellent. The characters are great and you really do share whatever pain they go through. Hardy does an excellent job with his description of Egdon Heath!

Not the best book I ever read...

The first three chapters were really boring! Basically the whole book was a little depressing... but by the end I started to get more into it. I only recommend this book to people who like the works of Thomas Hardy, and enjoy classics.

Entertaining...

The book starts out very slowly and tediously, but picks up quickly afterward. If I had started reading the book on my own I would have surely quit by the third chapter, but I had to read it for World Literature. After the third chapter, the book get really interesting and is fun to read. I highly recommend reading this book.

a good book

i personaly thought that the book contained a very interesting plot. the whol ei dea of the woman that wishes to leave and not capable f leaving. she needs a man to help her but in everyway she would find one. even if she has to marry him.

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