I loved revisiting Egdon Heath, especially while reading during the long autumnal evenings of October. In The Return of the Native, Hardy is off doing what Hardy does best: bitter romances unfolding in a richly portrayed (but often coldly indifferent) natural setting. As usual, he explores disastrous marriage choices and how our impulsive romantic delusions can destroy not only our own lives, but also our familial relationships and the lives of others around us! WOO HOO

Though Eustacia Vye certainly makes for a memorably tragic heroine, I must admit that in my opinion the show is stolen by Diggory Venn (The Reddleman? More like the Meddleman, am I right ladies?!)-- one of my all-time favourite Hardy characters. His narrative of persistence in the face of rejection is slightly creepy but majorly inspirational. Some people handle romantic rejection in a #basic way (tears, ice cream, Internet stalking) and some people handle it in an #iconic way (dying yourself red from head to toe, lurking in the woods, becoming a mythical figure, thwarting your adversary in morally-questionable-but-undeniably-epic ways). So even though this is an undeniably sad novel, Diggory Venn brought me a lot of joy so I’d say it all balances out in the end.

(Also quick shout out to my second fave, true-tragic-hero Christian Cantle!) ( )

This was an audiobook that I had to return to the library, then two years later took it back out and listened to the whole thing in a single month. ( )

Hardy isn’t the most easily accessible of Victorian authors. However, once through the first chapter or so, most of his novels move along at a pretty good pace.That said, this isn’t a favorite. There are five major characters, plus the landscape, whose lives intertwine in various ways. Clym and Thomasin are tooted in the heath and comfortable with what lives they can have. Eustacia and Damon are unhappy and uncomfortable with the place, especially Eustacia. Naturally the wrong people pair off and a lot of trouble ensues.
And that would be fine, except that the misfortunes and missteps here are mostly a result of either miscommunication, or delayed communication. So much so that it seems almost farcical: Clym cannot catch a break of any kind, and becomes more and more mired in misery.
I’m a fan of Hardy’s work, but this may be my least favorite novel of his. Too bad, too, because it is beautifully written (except for far too many literary references), and brings the heath to life. ( )

Book 94
The Return of the Native.
Thomas Hardy.
I remember sitting with my mouth wide open, I could not believe the ending. You know when you turn the book over saying "is that it?" Can it really finish line that? And you are searching at the back for more text...9.5/10
Just persuaded Peter to watch the film.. wonder if I will be disappointed? 1994 Catherine Zeta Jones. Anybody seen it? ( )

Couldn't put it down! ( )