Hardy Women: Mother, Sisters, Wives, Muses

Thomas Hardy is one of the most beloved and most-read British authors, but his relationships with real women were troubled. In this innovative book, Paula Byrne re-examines Hardy's life through the eyes of the women who made him, exploring his obsession with the sight of a woman hanged, poignant vignettes of unfulfilled passion, and fascinating details of working women's lives in the nineteenth century. By understanding and witnessing these hardy women, we can truly enter the heart of this great novelist and poet.

Format: Hardback
Length: 656 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Thomas Hardy is a highly acclaimed British author who has left an indelible mark on literature and the minds of his readers. Despite his immense popularity, it is intriguing to explore the complexities of his relationships with real women. In her groundbreaking book, acclaimed biographer Paula Byrne delves into Hardy's life, offering a fresh perspective through the eyes of the women who played significant roles in his life: his mother, sisters, girlfriends, wives, and muses.

The narrative spans from shocking scenes of Hardy's obsession with the sight of a woman hanged to poignant vignettes of unfulfilled passion and fascinating details of working women's lives in the nineteenth century. Hardy Women is a captivating tale that reveals how the magnificent fictional women he created were made possible by the hardships and resilience of the real women who shaped his passions and imagination.

By understanding and witnessing these hardy women, readers gain a deeper insight into the heart and soul of this extraordinary novelist and poet. This book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to unravel the enigmatic complexities of Thomas Hardy's life and work.

Weight: 972g
Dimension: 166 x 244 x 62 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008322250