It’s interesting to compare Hardy and Dickens. Dickens recognises the pain and sadness of life, but he’s basically cheerful and optimistic. Dickens says yes to life, and Hardy says no. (That said, Hardy really is a wonderful storyteller.)
I LIVE FOR THE BLEEP 🤣🤣 Also the rant is pure gold 😂👌🏼 And I'm so with you on everything you said about Tess! I'm very sensitive and so will never subject myself to unnecessary pain no matter how beautifully written a book might be. I really don't understand people who get touchy about other people's negative opinions on their favourite books & characters 🧐 We can't all like the same things. If it upsets you just move on & don't watch. It's that simple 🤷🏼♀
“Jude the Obscure” is Thomas Hardy’s “jumping the shark” moment. There was a reason that was the last Hardy novel. When I read Thomas Hardy, in the back of my mind I am looking at a world that was fading away during the time Hardy was writing and publishing. England’s agricultural sector was declining facing competition from the vast plains of the Americas. Also my view of Hardy is influenced by the great adaptations. The idyllic setting in Hardy’s Wessex is a major appeal that looks wonderful on screen. Just wanted to mention the passing of Ray Stevenson. One of his earliest roles was playing Clym Yeobright in a 1994 adaptation of “ Return of the Native”. That adaptation had a great cast that included Catherine Zeta Jones and Clive Owen wasted with poor directing. The adaptation is available on RU-vid.
I’m grateful for this video. I loved far from the madding crowd- mainly because of Gabriel. I have the mayor of Casterbridge, but I haven’t read it yet. I looked at Jude at the store, but based on the blurb I knew it wasn’t something I wanted to read, so I’ve wanted to know more about his books.
So glad to see that The Return of the Native topped your list. I'm trying to read it now and getting a bit bogged down at the beginning, but I'm going to stick to it now that I know you love it!
Thomas Hardy is one of those authors who, on paper, I shouldn’t like. 😂 Every time I read a Hardy novel though, it sticks with me for days (or years) and I find myself thinking “Do I love this author?” Even if I really dislike the story, I can’t shake it. 😂🤷♀️ I have only read Tess, Far from, and Mayor so far, so I’m curious if this will change.
I'm re-watching this video today since I'm reading Under the Greenwood Tree and my son kept hearing the bleeps, and said, "What is going on?! What are you watching?!" Haha!!
The way that you describe Tess and Jude I relate to a lot. I feel so bad sometimes because I just can't devote my time to books that will absolutely drain me, and I feel like I'm missing out because the books are regarded as classics or essential reads... it seems that some people purposefully seek out that darkness, but I get so burned out so quickly recently by those books, however well they are written. I do feel like I'm going to miss out a lot but I love authors that don't necessarily lack sadness, but there is a lot of light in their work too so to speak. There is sadness in John Keats at times, but it's tempered by this light I suppose and authors like that mean a lot to me...
@@jordananderson3543 I love that phrase "sadness tempered by light" - there are so many excellent works of literature that feature this. George Eliot is the first that comes to mind. She can show the immense pain that can be experienced in life but also how much beauty there is in the world.
@@katehowereads It reminds me sort of the night sky -- nothing is darker than the night, but nothing is more beautiful, especially the moon and stars, whereas some authors are more like the darkness of a room with no windows. It's darkness without counterbalance, at least that is how I feel when I try to read authors who were content to portray darkness without any light at the end of the tunnel -- Samuel Beckett etc.
@@jordananderson3543 You are speaking my language! I love this analogy so much. I think that many postmodern authors think that putting hope into a story makes it untrue.
I love the passion, Kate!! Boo on victim mentality!! I will always agree with you. And I loved your comparison of your own personal pain threshold with The Pit Of Despair!! 😂
Talk about timing -- just yesterday I chucked Madding Crowd about 85 pages in -- with the dog and sheep 'skirmish' doing me in -- and picked up Return of the Native! It was that or Tess and I did not want to take on Tess during Victober. Return has already hooked me about 25 pages in and I am confident it will prove a highlight of Victober!
Haha! I love hearing you rant about bleep bleep. 😅 I 100% agree. The characters are just stupid for no good reason. And, to a certain degree, I felt the same about Tess, but that was just so gorgeously written it's far better in my mind. So I've actually dubbed the way Jude made me feel called "The Jude the Obscure Effect." It's when I can't justify the characters' wild actions (because the author was just being overly dramatic or we lack the background information that would explain the behavior - like history of abuse, mental illness, etc.) and it just leaves me feeling cold about the book. Jude was the original, Tess to a lesser degree. But since then, The Street by Ann Petry and Stoner by John Williams left me with the exact same feeling. Don't bother reading those. I honestly think you would hate them.
Stoner was such an odd book - so highly recommended by so many. I got rid of it, but I must admit it has lingered in my memory and I puzzle over it. Do men really think like that? Men seem to love it. That worries me. LOL
@janetsmith8566 I know! It was weird. There wasn't any explicit information that would justify the crazy actions of some characters. There was one woman who I thought must have been sexually abused, but it doesn't say so she just seems crazy and irrational. It left me cold. I didn't care about anything that happened to anybody in it. Lol.
I love it when you get passionate about the unnamed book 😉 Also, I think you were talking about Nick Vujicic, the man born without arms or legs. I love him, he's amazing!
Just rewatched this one, Kate! I just love how feisty you are in this video! 😂 I just watched Jennifer Brooks’s Hardy ranking video, and she also ranks The Return of the Native right on the top, along with a lot of raving positive comments! Guess I need to get to that one!
I was surprised by Under the Greenwood Tree. It felt silly to me. I need to watch the film adaptation. Maybe I'd like the story better. I haven't read that many Hardy, but I did enjoy The Mayor of Casterbridge and Far From the Madding Crowd. I think both of those are great for discussion. I'm glad The Return of the Native hits the top for you because I'll be starting that one this week.
So sorry you didn't like Under the Greenwood Tree Mitzi. I really did and I was one of the people pushing for you to read it. I like the simple books like UTGT and Agnes Grey.😞
I love Hardy’s nature writing, but I’m not sure I’ll take time to read anymore. I’ve only read Far, Mayor, and Tess. I’m conflicted. Although, I trust your recommendations, so maybe Return someday! 🖤
I loved your Thomas Hardy review. You were spot on with your impressions of Far from the Madding Crowd. Gabriel Oak has been one of my favorite male leads of all time. Which is surprising since I’m not a big Thomas Hardy fan. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Kate for doing this video. I read The Mayor of Casterbridge last year for Victober and didn't like it too much. This video gives me an idea of what to read next of his books that are on my shelf.
I have found, that after watching you for years, that some times we disagree totally, and so you have not discouraged me at all from reading all of Hardy's works.😊There have also been times, like with A Women in White, that I listened to your praises and also loved it.
You are right...people get so touchy if you dislike a favorite. Girl, you can like and dislike any book you want :) I don't need to remind you, I have serious love for Jude The Obscure. Whenever I want to go into the depths of despair, I read it. When I saw the title of the video, i chuckled because I knew I'd hear the beep lol. For me Tess is your Jude. I know it's a fan favorite, but I HATE it . Jude used to be my favorite, but after re reading lots of Hardy in the last couple years, The Woodlanders , The Return of The Native, and A Pair of Blue Eyes are in an equal tie for my favorite Hardy. I just can't decide between the three and I go back and forth over which one is tops. As for Far from the Madding Crowd, I disliked that book when I first read it , but I really like it now and it is definitely in my top 5.
I am reading the Mayor of Casterbridge for Victober because it's shorter than other Hardy novels I have yet to read. Next year, I will have to read Return of the Native.
Is Tess one of Hardy's novels? I saw it played on the screen long time ago, but the landscape of England still touches me now. I believe nature cultivates mind to write for all those in sufferings, and he is also God watching us in bitterness. Don't forget to respect nature who is the only teacher for our life.
I love seeing your passion (rage?) about J**e the Obscure, it's brilliant. I've read a lot of Hardy, but not everything yet. I think I have a few of his "happier" books left to read LOL
No, Kate, I suspect that our assessments of Hardy are very much in sync. I don't at all question your basement placing of Jude. And I do very much like Hardy's work. I have only completed five of the novels with a couple other DNF's, and the lovely presentation of Tess (the fondness Hardy had for Tess and the beauty of the prose) makes me rate it above Under the Greenwood (although I do like that one quite a bit). I don't hate or despise Jude nor would I say Hardy "jumped the shark", but I don't rate it very highly out of disliking virtually all the characters. Jude IS a whiner, but you are correct: he is the major source of his troubles. I love "Far From" and agree with you that "Return of the Native" is his best work (of those I've read). Mayor is also good, but the likeability issue again factors in. I've always thought that Hardy didn't so much rail against marriage as against women. His first marriage (I read) was not particularly happy and his second one was tainted by memories of the first. His only female character that he unabashedly approved of (IMHO) was Tess. After Jude, I'd guess he was out of things he wished to say in the novel format. He had created his fair share of knaves and minxes, and perhaps was tired of being pilloried for his lack of respect for religious belief.
I like your forthright views! I read The Trumpet Major shortly after staying in the small village it was set in. That was amazing, the surroundings have hardly changed, you could picture the soldiers’ camp on the hill above the village. I disagree about Tess, some of the prose is so lyrical and beautiful.
I’ve only read to Hardys so far and had written him off for me personally. I’m afraid Mayor of Casterbridge left me cold and although I liked the writing in parts of two on a tower, I disliked it and got rid of it. But from everything I hear, I do think I need to read far from the Madding crowd. I will try to cram that one in this Vic!
So I agree with you on Jude's pity party... BUT I hated how he got tricked into something toward the beginning.. HATED HER!!! I considered him a victim at that point.... but after that, no. But the tone and theme of hating marriage and "marriage is bad" is tipped me over the edge with hate for the book. Is Nate a competitive fisherman? If so, he came to speak to our men's group at church. My husband said he was very inspiring with how he depends on the Lord in living his life.
I don't even feel sorry for him then. If you engage in a sexual relationship than reproduction is a possibility. I don't know what he was thinking having a sexual relationship with a woman he didn't want to marry in the Victorian era.
Yes! Good for you. You are entitled to your own opinion. I'm surprised people comment about that though. I've had ridiculous comments, but not about me disliking a book. but seriously, how come you didn't like (bleep) ? JUST KIDDING! 🤣 I see there are a lot of Hardy books I need to read next year. (after I move). Again, YES! Thank you Bathsheba imo is Jezebel. I disliked her so much. And was very disappointed with Gabriel. I'm pretty sure I've read Tess in high school, (but not sure it was for high school). Such a good video. Thank you.
The significant part of the story to me was what Jude chose to do with the hand he was dealt. I'm not saying his circumstances were ideal but I really resonate with characters in literature that strive and endure as they inspire me to be a better version of myself. Focusing solely on the things I don't like about my life (chronic illness, broken relationships) would eat away at my soul.
No don't lol!😆.. go on Roz... did you- or didn't you- love JTObscure??? i await with baited breath i've not read but think im going to have to.. eventually (no publicity is bad publicity??😅).. 💕🤓😁
@@melissahouse1296 I am passionate about Hardy. Jude is not my favourite of his books that I have read, but it is still a cut above many Victorian novels.
Thank you It's great to have your opinion. I've taken a few yrs of H but am looking fwd to finding out for myself i mean, one can always just put it aside after all 👍☺@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711
I could feel you holding back the restraint when talking about Jude Kate 😉, a book I can’t just bring myself to read- yet, maybe one day. I loved Tess but completely understand why others don’t and am throughly enjoying my reread of FFTMC- Gabriel is endearing from the very first paragraph! The only other I’ve read is Under the Greenwood Tree and I enjoyed it simply because I’d heard all Hardy’s novels were tragic and this one wasn’t!
This is so interesting, thank you! I am realizing how much Hardy I still have to read. I just started Return of the Native last night! I'm glad it's a tolerable pain level, lol It just occurred to me to wonder...how did Hardy write such a wonderful character as Gabriel Oak?? 😂
I really hate Return of the Native. After that, I vowed never to read Hardy again. I haven’t read Far From the Madding Crowd, but I watched the recent movie and really enjoyed it. It makes me want to give the book a chance.
Loved this Kate 🤗 I've been on a 'time out Hardy' for 3-4 yrs after reading Tess (re read) & i 100% agree with your comments. In retrospect there is *alot* i admire about it, but Jude.. oh my.. thing is.. my twisted sense of curiosity wants to find out one day so i prolly will eventually succumb.. Misery May perhaps lol?! At least ill be prepared 😅 TROTNative is now a priority.. along with TLaodacian (yep ) & TOATower as they're on my shelves.. 4 yrs is long enough... im ready now 😁💕🤓😊
Interesting. Many people rate "Tess" as Hardy's best. I haven't read it and you are, of course, allowed not to like books that others love. Now I am having to rethink where to start with TH.
Well you probably know how I feel. I admit he is wonderful with prose. I just was so disgusted by his worldview, I felt he had nothing really to tell me.
If you’re not open to dialogue, what is the point of your channel? I come to book lists looking forward to sharing opinions. I shan’t come back here because I don’t enjoy listening to someone basically talking about themselves.
I don't mind people sharing their opinions with me. I do, however, take umbrage with readers leaving pedantic comments on how wrong very personal reading experience of a book was. My channel is probably not your vibe if this is a problem.
