Title: Thomas Hardy
Author: Claire Tomalin
First published January 1, 2006
486 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781594201189 (ISBN10: 1594201188)
Rating: 4.06
Overview
Claire Tomalin’s riveting biography of Thomas Hardy delves deep into the enigmatic life of the celebrated writer. Although his novels have captured the hearts of generations, Hardy himself remains an enigma.
Tomalin offers a detailed and nuanced portrait of a man who was both a believer and an unbeliever, a socialist and a snob, and an unhappy husband and a desolate widower. Hardy’s novels challenged the sexual and religious norms of his time, and his decision to abandon fiction in favor of poetry was a bold move.
Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Tomalin brings to life a complex and fascinating figure who continues to captivate readers today.
About the Author
Claire Delavenay was born in London and received her education at Newnham College, Cambridge. She went on to become a literary editor for prominent publications such as the ‘New Statesman’ and the ‘Sunday Times’.
Delavenay has written a number of highly regarded biographies, earning recognition through the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Hawthornden Prize for her work ‘The Invisible Woman The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens’. Additionally, her biography of Samuel Pepys was awarded the Whitbread Book Award in 2002, the Rose Mary Crawshay Prize in 2003, and the Latham Prize of the Samuel Pepys Club in 2003.
It was also a finalist for the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2003.
Delavenay was first married to Nicholas Tomalin, a prominent journalist who was killed in the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War in 1973. She later married Michael Frayn, a novelist and playwright.
Currently, she serves as Vice-President for both the Royal Society of Literature and English PEN (International PEN).
Editoral Review
Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin is a fascinating biography of one of the most celebrated writers of the Victorian era. This book is an exemplary work of literature that brings to life the struggles and triumphs of Thomas Hardy, weaving a tale of the author’s formative years, his flawed character, and the enduring legacy of his work.
Claire Tomalin, a renowned biographer of English literature, presents a compelling and thoroughly researched account of Hardy’s life, tracing his humble beginnings in Dorset, his unfulfilling marriage to Emma Lavinia Gifford, his literary achievements, and his eventual rise to fame. The author sheds light on Hardy’s literary influences, including William Wordsworth and John Keats, and the impact of the era’s social and political turmoil on his work.
Tomalin writes with elegance, lucidity, and eloquence, crafting a narrative that is both informative and engrossing. She draws readers into Hardy’s world, evoking the sights, sounds, and emotions of each period in his life.
Her writing is imbued with a deep sense of empathy for the protagonist, allowing us to connect with Hardy on a personal level. Throughout the book, Tomalin demonstrates her knowledge of Hardy’s works and their significance in Victorian literature.
She explores the themes of love, class, politics, and culture that permeate his work and how his social critiques mirrored the issues of his time. The book offers an insightful analysis of his major works, including Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, and how they reflected Hardy’s own philosophical views on life.
One of the book’s strengths is its meticulous research, with Tomalin delving into previously unexplored archives and letters to uncover new insights into Hardy’s life. She paints a nuanced portrait of the man, showing us his strengths and weaknesses, his achievements, and his regrets.
The author does not shy away from the darker aspects of his life, including his extramarital affairs, which may cause some readers to view him in a more negative light. As for any book, Thomas Hardy is not without its flaws.
At times, Tomalin’s writing can feel overly academic, with an abundance of information and terminology that may be overwhelming for a casual reader. The book also lacks a coherent structure, with the narrative meandering at times, making it difficult to follow the chronology of events.
Nevertheless, Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin remains an engrossing and informative biography that will appeal to fans of Hardy and Victorian literature. It is a richly rewarding exploration of the life and times of one of Britain’s most influential writers.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in literary history, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Rating: 4/5
