andrew61's review
4.0
My memories of reading as a teenager were dominated by the thoughts of meeting one of those wild beauties of Hardy's Wessex novels which I loved and who were then given form in wonderful films; thus Tess was the doomed heroine who is forever Natasia Kinski, Bathsheba Everdene the stunning Julie Christie. However for me Eustacia Vye remained a figure in my imagination as the dark haired dark eyed beauty and memory elevated the book to a classic. Thus I came to it 35 years on and found different things in the book. What I don't remember was the mystery of the scenery and the descriptions of a lost world thus I loved the character of Diggory Venn the Reddleman who is such a lynch pin in the tale of doomed love, the villagers who visit the newly weds to sing the traditional songs as a jilted bride hides with her aunt, and the wild heathland as a character in itself. Eustacia Vye still remains a wonderful character but she is difficult, manipulative and wilful destroying everyone in her path and I know in real life she would be horrendous but that is the joy of books that you can still sink in a story and its characters and they live with you for so long.Hardy will always remain a joy.
lucyyriddell's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
spicypenguin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bettyscollection's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
firerosearien's review against another edition
4.0
You can tell really quickly that this is one of Hardy's earlier works - the writing is polished, but the plot meanders, taking too long to introduce us to the main characters, and a climax that is not entirely believable.
thebookwormofnotredame's review against another edition
5.0
Thomas Hardy definitely is one of my top 3 favourite authors.
pandaburrr's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this book because I was named after Eustacia Vye. Not really sure what my parents were thinking when doing this. Love the book though.
liljen719's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn’t a big fan of this one. The only saving grace, at least for me, was the audible narration by Alan
Rickman (at 1.1x speed). The story itself was interesting, but felt too drawn out at times.
Rickman (at 1.1x speed). The story itself was interesting, but felt too drawn out at times.
tw1tch's review against another edition
3.0
Look, this book opens up with a chapter long discription of the setting (the heath). That should give you some idea of how this book's pacing is. I think I've literally watched paint dry faster then Hardy gets to his point.
However, with that being said, it's a good story and it's a good intro to Hardy and it makes Tess of the Uberduberness look way better. Read this one, then that one, and you'll like Tess way better.
However, with that being said, it's a good story and it's a good intro to Hardy and it makes Tess of the Uberduberness look way better. Read this one, then that one, and you'll like Tess way better.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
5.0
Re-reading The Return Of The Native brought so many fond memories back of A Level English Literature which is where I first came across this beautiful novel. Furthermore, I couldn’t believe how much I had actually forgotten, including a narrative which is filled with tragedy and melancholy - this is pretty characteristic of Hardy so I shouldn’t have been too surprised!
This is the story of Eustacia Vye, a strong, independent and determined woman who believes in deep romantic connections and adventure - anything that will take her away from her dreary life in the small community of Egdon Heath. Clym Yeobright, a young man recently returned from Paris seems to be the gentleman who will satisfy her hopes and dreams and they are married.
Unfortunately, things don’t quite work out the way she had hoped and the events that follow affect not only other members of the community (including a former lover and his wife) but her own relationship and future prospects.
Hardy’s talent at describing a countryside setting is second to none but for me, I think I appreciate the way he develops his characters even more, particularly the women. Considering the time he was writing in, his women have strength, power, a mind of their own and a role in society - even if Hardy makes it perfectly clear how diminished that role actually is.
Hardy is wonderful at creating these tiny, insular and quite frankly, claustrophobic communities and that are always fascinating to read about. When reading one of his novels, I find it so easy to get lost in the world he is showing us with characters like Eustacia Thomasin and Diggory the reddleman who have certainly left their mark. It’s a book I’m anticipating to re-read many more times in the future and expecting just as much enchantment.
Five perfect stars
This is the story of Eustacia Vye, a strong, independent and determined woman who believes in deep romantic connections and adventure - anything that will take her away from her dreary life in the small community of Egdon Heath. Clym Yeobright, a young man recently returned from Paris seems to be the gentleman who will satisfy her hopes and dreams and they are married.
Unfortunately, things don’t quite work out the way she had hoped and the events that follow affect not only other members of the community (including a former lover and his wife) but her own relationship and future prospects.
Hardy’s talent at describing a countryside setting is second to none but for me, I think I appreciate the way he develops his characters even more, particularly the women. Considering the time he was writing in, his women have strength, power, a mind of their own and a role in society - even if Hardy makes it perfectly clear how diminished that role actually is.
Hardy is wonderful at creating these tiny, insular and quite frankly, claustrophobic communities and that are always fascinating to read about. When reading one of his novels, I find it so easy to get lost in the world he is showing us with characters like Eustacia Thomasin and Diggory the reddleman who have certainly left their mark. It’s a book I’m anticipating to re-read many more times in the future and expecting just as much enchantment.
Five perfect stars