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The First Countess of Wessex
Collected in "A Group of Noble Dames"
68 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1891
28 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Hardy
2,782 books6,647 followersThomas Hardy, OM, was an English author of the naturalist movement, although in several poems he displays elements of the previous romantic and enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural. He regarded himself primarily as a poet and composed novels mainly for financial gain.
The bulk of his work, set mainly in the semi-fictional land of Wessex, delineates characters struggling against their passions and circumstances. Hardy's poetry, first published in his 50s, has come to be as well regarded as his novels, especially after The Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
The term cliffhanger is considered to have originated with Thomas Hardy's serial novel A Pair of Blue Eyes in 1873. In the novel, Hardy chose to leave one of his protagonists, Knight, literally hanging off a cliff staring into the stony eyes of a trilobite embedded in the rock that has been dead for millions of years. This became the archetypal — and literal — cliff-hanger of Victorian prose.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
The bulk of his work, set mainly in the semi-fictional land of Wessex, delineates characters struggling against their passions and circumstances. Hardy's poetry, first published in his 50s, has come to be as well regarded as his novels, especially after The Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
The term cliffhanger is considered to have originated with Thomas Hardy's serial novel A Pair of Blue Eyes in 1873. In the novel, Hardy chose to leave one of his protagonists, Knight, literally hanging off a cliff staring into the stony eyes of a trilobite embedded in the rock that has been dead for millions of years. This became the archetypal — and literal — cliff-hanger of Victorian prose.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 18, 2023
Μα τι λεξιλόγιο! Πανέμορφη η πένα του Τόμας Χάρντι! Το πρώτο βιβλίο του που διαβάζω και το απόλαυσα. Μην περιμένετε γλυκανάλατες ιστοριούλες να συναντήσετε, κάθε άλλο θα έλεγα.
Προτείνεται.
Προτείνεται.
September 9, 2020
Μου άρεσε. Κατά κάποιο τρόπο ήταν λιγότερο Χάρντυ σε ατμόσφαιρα και ήταν αρκετά ξεκούραστο για την εποχή που το διάβαζα. Ο Χάρντυ είναι απ' τους συγγραφείς που θεωρώ φίλους, ανεξάρτητα απ' την κοινή μας συγγένεια λόγω Σοπενάουερ, όσο και ανεξάρτητα απ' τις θρησκοφάσεις που πέρναγε κατά διαστήματα. Υπό φυσιολογικές συνθήκες δεν ξέρω αν θα το απολάμβανα τόσο. Τον έχω αγαπήσει για το Τζουντ, για την Τριαγαπημένη, για το Λαοδικείς που διάβασα με διαφορά δύο μηνών, αλλά που όμως σε αυτή την περίοδο συνέβησαν αρκετά λυπηρά ώστε να μη μπορώ να διαβάσω κάτι τέτοιο, ή ακόμη και να ανεχτώ τον εαυτό μου για τον τρόπο που απαιτεί το καλό βιβλίο, γιατί με το καλό βιβλίο ανασαίνει ο Άλλος μέσα μας. Όχι πως αυτό δεν είναι ένα καλό βιβλίο, όχι πως είναι κακό, να είναι ανάλαφρο, όμως δεν ξέρω αν σε διαφορετική περίπτωση θα το εκτιμούσα.
Το διάβασα μεταξύ 25 Μαϊου - 15 Ιουνίου. Σε αυτή την περίοδο δεν είχα ιδέα για πόσο καιρό θα παραμείνω σε αναστολή, ή αν θα επιστρέψω στη δουλειά, είχα ξεμείνει από χρήματα και για να είμαι ειλικρινής το πιο βαρύ για εμένα ήταν πως πήγα σε άλλη περιοχή για να είμαι με την κοπέλα μου, χώρισα και μαζί έμαθα πως πολύ απλά ήμουν το τρίτο πρόσωπο. Δεν είχα τον εαυτό μου, για να μπορώ να διαβάσω κάτι παραπάνω. Ήταν αρκετά απαλό υπό τις παρούσες συνθήκες ώστε να μη με βαρύνει, αλλά και αρκετά ''δουλεμένο'' και ποιοτικό ώστε να μην αισθανθώ πως διαβάζω κάτι αφελές και κακογραμμένο. Μου κράτησε παρέα. Και γι' αυτό το θυμάμαι με συμπάθεια. Δεν το ξεσηκώνω όμως στο νου μου, σαν εικόνα, ήχο, διάλογο, όπως το Τζουντ, ή την Τρισαγαπημένη και την Πόλα απ' τους Λαοδικείς. Και δεν βρίσκω πραγματικά σε αυτό ένα λόγο ύπαρξης και εννοώ από εκείνους που με κρατούν στα βιβλία του Χάρντυ. Απ' εκείνους που φωτίζει και τον τρόπο που το κάνει.
* Η αναφορά σε προσωπικά γεγονότα δεν γίνεται για να επικαλεστώ συμπάθειες, άλλα γιατί είναι για 'μενα απαραίτητο να θέσω το πλαίσιο μέσα στο οποίο διάβασα αυτό το βιβλίο. Τώρα δε θα το διάβαζα. Παρά μόνο ίσως, για την ''αυθεντικότητα'' με την οποία σε βάζει σε άλλες εποχές, με ήθη, έθιμα κι αντιλήψεις.
Το διάβασα μεταξύ 25 Μαϊου - 15 Ιουνίου. Σε αυτή την περίοδο δεν είχα ιδέα για πόσο καιρό θα παραμείνω σε αναστολή, ή αν θα επιστρέψω στη δουλειά, είχα ξεμείνει από χρήματα και για να είμαι ειλικρινής το πιο βαρύ για εμένα ήταν πως πήγα σε άλλη περιοχή για να είμαι με την κοπέλα μου, χώρισα και μαζί έμαθα πως πολύ απλά ήμουν το τρίτο πρόσωπο. Δεν είχα τον εαυτό μου, για να μπορώ να διαβάσω κάτι παραπάνω. Ήταν αρκετά απαλό υπό τις παρούσες συνθήκες ώστε να μη με βαρύνει, αλλά και αρκετά ''δουλεμένο'' και ποιοτικό ώστε να μην αισθανθώ πως διαβάζω κάτι αφελές και κακογραμμένο. Μου κράτησε παρέα. Και γι' αυτό το θυμάμαι με συμπάθεια. Δεν το ξεσηκώνω όμως στο νου μου, σαν εικόνα, ήχο, διάλογο, όπως το Τζουντ, ή την Τρισαγαπημένη και την Πόλα απ' τους Λαοδικείς. Και δεν βρίσκω πραγματικά σε αυτό ένα λόγο ύπαρξης και εννοώ από εκείνους που με κρατούν στα βιβλία του Χάρντυ. Απ' εκείνους που φωτίζει και τον τρόπο που το κάνει.
* Η αναφορά σε προσωπικά γεγονότα δεν γίνεται για να επικαλεστώ συμπάθειες, άλλα γιατί είναι για 'μενα απαραίτητο να θέσω το πλαίσιο μέσα στο οποίο διάβασα αυτό το βιβλίο. Τώρα δε θα το διάβαζα. Παρά μόνο ίσως, για την ''αυθεντικότητα'' με την οποία σε βάζει σε άλλες εποχές, με ήθη, έθιμα κι αντιλήψεις.
August 3, 2024
The First Countess of Wessex was first published in Harper's Magazine in 1889, and later included in the collection "A Group of Noble Dames." When Betty Dornell was thirteen, her wealthy mother married her to Stephen Reynard against her father's wishes. Betty's father had a different groom in mind for his daughter. Since Betty was so young, she returned home with the understanding that her husband would claim her when she turned eighteen. Betty was very nervous about seeing her husband again as she approached her eighteenth birthday, and the story tells what occurred at that time. It's an enjoyable tale with good characterization. The story was inspired by the real romance of the first Earl of Ilchester and his Lady. 3.5 stars.
October 24, 2020
Πείτε μου, μπορείτε να σκεφτείτε πιο ρομαντικό, πιο φίνο τίτλο για ένα βιβλίο που αφηγείται ιστορίες κυριών και των ερώτων τους;
Σε μία λέσχη κυρίων, λοιπόν, μεταξύ μπράντυ και πούρων, διάφοροι συνδαιτυμόνες αφηγούνται ιστορίες με πρωταγωνίστριες αριστοτοκράτισσες του παρελθόντος. Θα μπορούσε να είναι άρλεκιν, μιας και η θεματολογία φαντάζει κουτσομπολίστικου και αισθαντικού περιεχομένου, όμως ο Τόμας Χάρντυ κάνει τα μαγικά του και δεν απογοητεύει.
Γνώστης της ανθρώπινης φύσης και δεινός λογοτέχνης, γράφει άμεσα και με λεπτή ειρωνεία για τις χαρές και τις στενοχώριες που συντροφεύουν το γυναικείο φύλο. (Εδώ να πω και ένα μπράβο στις μεταφράστριες, που υποψιάζομαι πως έβαλαν το χεράκι τους ώστε να κυλήσει η αφήγηση ομαλότερα).
Είχα πολύ καιρό να διαβάσω μονορούφι και με τόση προσήλωση ένα βιβλίο, ειδικά κάποιο που να περιέχει μικρές ιστορίες.
Σε μία λέσχη κυρίων, λοιπόν, μεταξύ μπράντυ και πούρων, διάφοροι συνδαιτυμόνες αφηγούνται ιστορίες με πρωταγωνίστριες αριστοτοκράτισσες του παρελθόντος. Θα μπορούσε να είναι άρλεκιν, μιας και η θεματολογία φαντάζει κουτσομπολίστικου και αισθαντικού περιεχομένου, όμως ο Τόμας Χάρντυ κάνει τα μαγικά του και δεν απογοητεύει.
Γνώστης της ανθρώπινης φύσης και δεινός λογοτέχνης, γράφει άμεσα και με λεπτή ειρωνεία για τις χαρές και τις στενοχώριες που συντροφεύουν το γυναικείο φύλο. (Εδώ να πω και ένα μπράβο στις μεταφράστριες, που υποψιάζομαι πως έβαλαν το χεράκι τους ώστε να κυλήσει η αφήγηση ομαλότερα).
Είχα πολύ καιρό να διαβάσω μονορούφι και με τόση προσήλωση ένα βιβλίο, ειδικά κάποιο που να περιέχει μικρές ιστορίες.
August 11, 2016
(I wonder if Agatha Christie read this book. It certainly reminded me of one of her books - a group of people swap mystery stories one evening?) Hardy gets his people together to swap stories about notable women. I like this method a lot, it gives a theme and continuity to the stories - something I miss in most short story collections. Very different from the Wessex Tales. Not so much of the countryside or country people. But Hardy shows off his skill here too - his usual themes come through clearly: the problems caused by class, bad timing, impulsiveness in choosing a mate, and pride - to name a few. Lots of drama - secret marriages, forging of wills, illigitimate children, elopements, estrangements - it all gets quite messy and interesting. Hardy is wonderful in short story or novel.
February 12, 2021
Όλες οι ιστορίες ήταν εξαιρετικές. Διαβάζεται ευχάριστα.
February 22, 2019
Al estar estructurado en forma de relatos, como suele pasar algunos me han gustado más que otros pero està tan bien escrito que se merece las cuatro edtrellas.
September 2, 2023
My completion of the entire set of short stories in this collection within a few weeks was completely unexpected. I had planned to spread them over a few months but Mr. Hardy was so clever with his packaging that I simply could not stop at one or two - or even three or four - stories!
The setting for the book is a two-day meeting of the fictional Wessex Field and Antiquarian Club. The planned field excursion had been rained out so ten of the members present agreed instead to entertain the group by relating some interesting stories from their communities about — you guessed it! — noble dames.
The stories in this collection vary in length from very short to quite long (for a “short” story) but the collection is an absolute delight from beginning to end. But what else should a reader expect from Mr. Hardy?
Table of Contents
Part I - Before Dinner
✔ The First Countess of Wessex (15/08/23)
✔ Barbara of the House of Grebe (19/08/23)
✔ The Marchioness of Stonehenge (19/08/23)
✔ Lady Mottisfont (20/08/23)
Part II - After Dinner
✔ The Lady Icenway (20/08/23)
✔ Squire Petrick’s Lady (20/08/23)
✔ Anna, Lady Baxby (21/08/23)
✔ The Lady Penelope (21/08/23)
✔ The Duchess of Hamptonshire (21/08/23)
✔ The Honourable Laura (22/08/23)
The First Countess of Wessex (15/08/23) ★★★★
“Arranged marriage or puppy love?” might have been the subtitle of this rather long short story. It was probably quite a contentious tale in the time of Hardy. Nevertheless, in this day, it still provides good entertainment and some food for thought.
The little white frock in which she had been married to him at the tender age of twelve was carefully preserved among the relics at King’s-Hintock Court, where it may still be seen by the curious—a yellowing, pathetic testimony to the small count taken of the happiness of an innocent child in the social strategy of those days, which might have led, but providentially did not lead, to great unhappiness.
Barbara of the House of Grebe (19/08/23) ★★★★
A collection of short stories by Thomas Hardy would not be complete without at least one creepy story. What a nasty, nasty man poor Barbara ended up with. Well done, Mr. Hardy!
The Marchioness of Stonehenge (19/08/23) ★★★
This “noble dame” learned the hard way that some decisions simply cannot be reversed.
‘No, my lady. If I must say it, you were ashamed of my poor father, who was a sincere and honest man; therefore, I am ashamed of you.’
Nothing would move him; and the suffering woman at last gasped, ‘Cannot—oh, cannot you give one kiss to me—as you did to her? It is not much—it is all I ask—all!’
‘Certainly,’ he replied.
He kissed her coldly, and the painful scene came to an end.
Lady Mottisfont (20/08/23) ★★★★
Who is willing to look after Lord Mottisfont’s love-child? The answer might surprise you.
The Lady Icenway (20/08/23) ★★★★
A tragic tale of bigamy gone awry.
Squire Petrick’s Lady (20/08/23) ★★★
The desirability of noble blood seems to be a given — but beware if you don’t have it!
Anna, Lady Baxby (21/08/23) ★★★★
“Blood is thicker than water.” . . . until you add jealousy to the equation. Then logic flees the scene.
The Lady Penelope (21/08/23) ★★★
“The third time’s the charm!” — so the saying goes. Does this apply to marriage? Lady Penelope would have an opinion about that.
. . . this beautiful and noble lady had been done to death by a vile scandal that was wholly unfounded; her husband was stung with a dreadful remorse at the share he had taken in her misfortunes, and left the country anew, this time never to return alive.
The Duchess of Hamptonshire (21/08/23) ★★★★★
The Duke of Hamptonshire loved the parson’s daughter, but whom did the parson’s daughter love?
This one’s a real heart-breaker!
The Honourable Laura (22/08/23) ★★
There is nothing like saving the worst for the last. I think that Mr. Hardy ran out of ideas and consulted the cook for this story.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
★
★★
★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The setting for the book is a two-day meeting of the fictional Wessex Field and Antiquarian Club. The planned field excursion had been rained out so ten of the members present agreed instead to entertain the group by relating some interesting stories from their communities about — you guessed it! — noble dames.
The stories in this collection vary in length from very short to quite long (for a “short” story) but the collection is an absolute delight from beginning to end. But what else should a reader expect from Mr. Hardy?
Table of Contents
Part I - Before Dinner
✔ The First Countess of Wessex (15/08/23)
✔ Barbara of the House of Grebe (19/08/23)
✔ The Marchioness of Stonehenge (19/08/23)
✔ Lady Mottisfont (20/08/23)
Part II - After Dinner
✔ The Lady Icenway (20/08/23)
✔ Squire Petrick’s Lady (20/08/23)
✔ Anna, Lady Baxby (21/08/23)
✔ The Lady Penelope (21/08/23)
✔ The Duchess of Hamptonshire (21/08/23)
✔ The Honourable Laura (22/08/23)
The First Countess of Wessex (15/08/23) ★★★★
“Arranged marriage or puppy love?” might have been the subtitle of this rather long short story. It was probably quite a contentious tale in the time of Hardy. Nevertheless, in this day, it still provides good entertainment and some food for thought.
The little white frock in which she had been married to him at the tender age of twelve was carefully preserved among the relics at King’s-Hintock Court, where it may still be seen by the curious—a yellowing, pathetic testimony to the small count taken of the happiness of an innocent child in the social strategy of those days, which might have led, but providentially did not lead, to great unhappiness.
Barbara of the House of Grebe (19/08/23) ★★★★
A collection of short stories by Thomas Hardy would not be complete without at least one creepy story. What a nasty, nasty man poor Barbara ended up with. Well done, Mr. Hardy!
The Marchioness of Stonehenge (19/08/23) ★★★
This “noble dame” learned the hard way that some decisions simply cannot be reversed.
‘No, my lady. If I must say it, you were ashamed of my poor father, who was a sincere and honest man; therefore, I am ashamed of you.’
Nothing would move him; and the suffering woman at last gasped, ‘Cannot—oh, cannot you give one kiss to me—as you did to her? It is not much—it is all I ask—all!’
‘Certainly,’ he replied.
He kissed her coldly, and the painful scene came to an end.
Lady Mottisfont (20/08/23) ★★★★
Who is willing to look after Lord Mottisfont’s love-child? The answer might surprise you.
The Lady Icenway (20/08/23) ★★★★
A tragic tale of bigamy gone awry.
Squire Petrick’s Lady (20/08/23) ★★★
The desirability of noble blood seems to be a given — but beware if you don’t have it!
Anna, Lady Baxby (21/08/23) ★★★★
“Blood is thicker than water.” . . . until you add jealousy to the equation. Then logic flees the scene.
The Lady Penelope (21/08/23) ★★★
“The third time’s the charm!” — so the saying goes. Does this apply to marriage? Lady Penelope would have an opinion about that.
. . . this beautiful and noble lady had been done to death by a vile scandal that was wholly unfounded; her husband was stung with a dreadful remorse at the share he had taken in her misfortunes, and left the country anew, this time never to return alive.
The Duchess of Hamptonshire (21/08/23) ★★★★★
The Duke of Hamptonshire loved the parson’s daughter, but whom did the parson’s daughter love?
This one’s a real heart-breaker!
The Honourable Laura (22/08/23) ★★
There is nothing like saving the worst for the last. I think that Mr. Hardy ran out of ideas and consulted the cook for this story.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
★
★★
★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
December 7, 2022
Kocham Hardego, kocham jego książki i koooooocham czytać, kocham to wszystkoooooo
„Barnet miał w swojej naturze nieograniczoną zdolność cierpienia i ta zawładnęła nim teraz niewątpliwie w całej pełni.”
„Pierwsza hrabina Wessex” to książka składająca się z dwóch opowiadań. Pierwsze, zatytułowane „W pewnym miasteczku” to historia niespełnionej miłości. Główny bohater w dniu, w którym traci żonę, z którą nie łączyło go żadne uczucie, jest gotów w końcu oświadczyć się swojej ukochanej - jak to jednak u Hardego bywa, nie jest to takie proste. Drugie tytułowe opowiadanie, to historia młodej dziewczynki, którą matka, bez wiedzy ojca, wydała za mąż za dużo starszego mężczyznę. I tu tak samo, nic nie jest takie jak może się wydawać. Pojawiają się dylematy, bohaterowie stają si�� rozczarowani i nieszczęśliwi, aż wszystko zaczyna wyglądać nie tak jak miało.
„(…) w ludzkiej naturze jest skłonność do błędnego mniemania, że ta linia życiowa, której się nie obrało, byłaby najlepsza.”
„Barnet miał w swojej naturze nieograniczoną zdolność cierpienia i ta zawładnęła nim teraz niewątpliwie w całej pełni.”
„Pierwsza hrabina Wessex” to książka składająca się z dwóch opowiadań. Pierwsze, zatytułowane „W pewnym miasteczku” to historia niespełnionej miłości. Główny bohater w dniu, w którym traci żonę, z którą nie łączyło go żadne uczucie, jest gotów w końcu oświadczyć się swojej ukochanej - jak to jednak u Hardego bywa, nie jest to takie proste. Drugie tytułowe opowiadanie, to historia młodej dziewczynki, którą matka, bez wiedzy ojca, wydała za mąż za dużo starszego mężczyznę. I tu tak samo, nic nie jest takie jak może się wydawać. Pojawiają się dylematy, bohaterowie stają si�� rozczarowani i nieszczęśliwi, aż wszystko zaczyna wyglądać nie tak jak miało.
„(…) w ludzkiej naturze jest skłonność do błędnego mniemania, że ta linia życiowa, której się nie obrało, byłaby najlepsza.”
June 16, 2019
Me encanta Hardy!!!
Este libro tiene de todo, un poco de comedia y, sobre todo, esos giros dramáticos tan de Hardy. Cada relato hace referencia a una dama, cada cual más particular.
Es una libro que se lee rápido muy indicado para aquellas personas que no leyesen nada de este autor clásico.
Este libro tiene de todo, un poco de comedia y, sobre todo, esos giros dramáticos tan de Hardy. Cada relato hace referencia a una dama, cada cual más particular.
Es una libro que se lee rápido muy indicado para aquellas personas que no leyesen nada de este autor clásico.
November 21, 2024
Η αιώνια μάχη των δυό φύλων σε 10 ιστορίες, λεπτοδουλεμένες, γραμμένες με χάρη και οξυδέρκεια, με ντελικάτη ειρωνεία η οποία ξεδιπλώνει και αποκαλύπτει τους χαρακτήρες.
May 5, 2023
"Αλλά κανείς δεν μπορεί να προβλέψει τι παραμονεύει πίσω από το ασάλευτο και σιωπηλό πέπλο του μέλλοντος"
"Αν η αλήθεια κρύβεται στον πάτο του πηγαδιού,γιατί να θεωρείς ότι η δικαιοσύνη βρίσκεται στα υψηλά αξιώματα;"
" Μα οι ανθρώπινες καρδιές ρέπουν προς την αλλαγή όπως και τα φύλλα αναρριχητικού φυτού στον τοίχο"
"Η καρδιά ενός εραστή, αφότου κατακτηθεί, παρουσιάζει αναλογίες με τα γεωλογικά στρώματα...αρχικά καυτό κάρβουνο, έπειτα θερμό, ύστερα δροσερό αποκαΐδι, κατόπιν ψυχρό"
"Αν η αλήθεια κρύβεται στον πάτο του πηγαδιού,γιατί να θεωρείς ότι η δικαιοσύνη βρίσκεται στα υψηλά αξιώματα;"
" Μα οι ανθρώπινες καρδιές ρέπουν προς την αλλαγή όπως και τα φύλλα αναρριχητικού φυτού στον τοίχο"
"Η καρδιά ενός εραστή, αφότου κατακτηθεί, παρουσιάζει αναλογίες με τα γεωλογικά στρώματα...αρχικά καυτό κάρβουνο, έπειτα θερμό, ύστερα δροσερό αποκαΐδι, κατόπιν ψυχρό"
February 17, 2015
Ay Hardy
April 28, 2016
Ten stories about women, told in a men's club. I am reminded of Pickwick and of Hawthorne.
February 20, 2020
Τέλειο τέλειο τέλειο!!! Λάτρεψα Όλα τα διηγήματα!! 10/5✨
November 4, 2022
Thomas Hardy is one of the greatest authors ever to have lived... But this is a pretty good example of why you should judge authors by their best work.
This feels like all the ideas Hardy rejected while planning his novels, turned into a rather forgettable collection of short stories.
If you're coming here wondering if you should read this, just reread Tess or Jude, or try Two in a Tower or The Trumpet Major if you want something more obscure.
This feels like all the ideas Hardy rejected while planning his novels, turned into a rather forgettable collection of short stories.
If you're coming here wondering if you should read this, just reread Tess or Jude, or try Two in a Tower or The Trumpet Major if you want something more obscure.
July 15, 2013
Read for my on-going Hardy reading project, this was the first book of Hardy’s work I hadn’t read previously, the only other one I haven’t read is A Changed man and other tales – which is scheduled for next May. I was therefore looking forward to reading a selection of short stories which were new to me, and over all I wasn’t disappointed, although these won’t be my favourites Hardy stories. In these stories there are little of the pastoral scenes which I so love in Hardy’s work, the emphasis being instead themes of love and marriage in stories largely of women.
For each of these ten stories Hardy has taken the idea of noble country families – and the stories which could lie behind them. Each story is set historically (from Hardy’s time) and is told by a different gentleman of the Wessex Field and Antiquarian Clubs.
Focusing on the lives, loves and marriages of aristocratic women, Hardy examines the secrets and hypocrisies of some country families. Marriage is a recurring theme in many Hardy novels, and each of these perfectly constructed stories could quite easily be stretched to novel size, such is their depth and complexity – several of the tales span many years. It’s always so hard to review short stories – talking about each story in detail could end up being rather wordy. I will try therefore to just give a brief flavour of the whole collection – which recount the fortunes of some very memorable young ladies. Hardy’s female characters are always fascinating – and these are no exception. Not all of these women are likeable, Hardy is very good presenting his female characters as real and flawed people, be they shallow, conniving, romantic or proud.
In the opening story we meet the first Countess of Wessex – whose early marriage at thirteen, arranged by her mother, so incensed her adoring father. Having lived apart from her husband until she is eighteen, she contemplates being reunited with her husband nervously. In the second story, Barbara marries a beautiful poorly educated young man unwisely and in haste, but when her young Adonis returns from abroad horrifically disfigured following a fire, she is unable to reconcile the memory of her lovely young husband with the changed man before her.
“O Edmond – it is you? – it must be?’ she said, with clasped hands, for though his figure and movement were almost enough to prove it and the tones were not unlike the old tones, the enunciation was so altered to seem that of a stranger”
Another noble young woman who marries secretly quickly repents her choice – so when her husband dies suddenly she finds an ingenious way of covering up her hasty union, only things take an unexpected turn, and she is unable to undo her lies. Then there is the Lady Penelope who is courted by three different men, and foolishly makes a hasty declaration.
“I would have you know, then, that a great many years ago there lived in a classical mansion with which I used to be familiar, standing not a hundred miles from the city of Melchester, a lady whose personal charms were so rare and unparalleled that she was courted, flattered, and spoilt by almost all the young noblemen and gentlemen in that part of Wessex.”
Heartbreak, deceit and the inconsistencies of romance all play a part in these stories. Thomas Hardy really was a consummate storyteller, and these stories like The Wessex Tales which the Hardy group read last – really show how he was a gifted writer of shorter fiction too.
For each of these ten stories Hardy has taken the idea of noble country families – and the stories which could lie behind them. Each story is set historically (from Hardy’s time) and is told by a different gentleman of the Wessex Field and Antiquarian Clubs.
Focusing on the lives, loves and marriages of aristocratic women, Hardy examines the secrets and hypocrisies of some country families. Marriage is a recurring theme in many Hardy novels, and each of these perfectly constructed stories could quite easily be stretched to novel size, such is their depth and complexity – several of the tales span many years. It’s always so hard to review short stories – talking about each story in detail could end up being rather wordy. I will try therefore to just give a brief flavour of the whole collection – which recount the fortunes of some very memorable young ladies. Hardy’s female characters are always fascinating – and these are no exception. Not all of these women are likeable, Hardy is very good presenting his female characters as real and flawed people, be they shallow, conniving, romantic or proud.
In the opening story we meet the first Countess of Wessex – whose early marriage at thirteen, arranged by her mother, so incensed her adoring father. Having lived apart from her husband until she is eighteen, she contemplates being reunited with her husband nervously. In the second story, Barbara marries a beautiful poorly educated young man unwisely and in haste, but when her young Adonis returns from abroad horrifically disfigured following a fire, she is unable to reconcile the memory of her lovely young husband with the changed man before her.
“O Edmond – it is you? – it must be?’ she said, with clasped hands, for though his figure and movement were almost enough to prove it and the tones were not unlike the old tones, the enunciation was so altered to seem that of a stranger”
Another noble young woman who marries secretly quickly repents her choice – so when her husband dies suddenly she finds an ingenious way of covering up her hasty union, only things take an unexpected turn, and she is unable to undo her lies. Then there is the Lady Penelope who is courted by three different men, and foolishly makes a hasty declaration.
“I would have you know, then, that a great many years ago there lived in a classical mansion with which I used to be familiar, standing not a hundred miles from the city of Melchester, a lady whose personal charms were so rare and unparalleled that she was courted, flattered, and spoilt by almost all the young noblemen and gentlemen in that part of Wessex.”
Heartbreak, deceit and the inconsistencies of romance all play a part in these stories. Thomas Hardy really was a consummate storyteller, and these stories like The Wessex Tales which the Hardy group read last – really show how he was a gifted writer of shorter fiction too.
July 10, 2025
4,5 ⭐️
Thomas Hardy escribía tan bien, eran tan dramático y sabía tanto de las contradicciones humanas que cada libro que leo suyo es un regalo.
‘Nobles damas’ es una colección de diez cuentos que se van narrando por turnos por cada uno de los miembros de un club de naturaleza y arqueología que, al verse atrapados por el mal tiempo, comienzan a relatar historias sobre damas de la nobleza inglesa de las que son conocedores.
Mis favoritos fueron:
- La marquesa de Stonehenge.
- La duquesa de Hamptonshire.
- Bárbara de la casa de Grebe.
En definitiva, una lectura súper recomendable y que ha conseguido sacarme del bloqueo lector que venía arrastrando últimamente.
Thomas Hardy escribía tan bien, eran tan dramático y sabía tanto de las contradicciones humanas que cada libro que leo suyo es un regalo.
‘Nobles damas’ es una colección de diez cuentos que se van narrando por turnos por cada uno de los miembros de un club de naturaleza y arqueología que, al verse atrapados por el mal tiempo, comienzan a relatar historias sobre damas de la nobleza inglesa de las que son conocedores.
Mis favoritos fueron:
- La marquesa de Stonehenge.
- La duquesa de Hamptonshire.
- Bárbara de la casa de Grebe.
En definitiva, una lectura súper recomendable y que ha conseguido sacarme del bloqueo lector que venía arrastrando últimamente.
March 23, 2018
Este es mi primer encuentro con la escritura de de T. Hardy y elegí esta novela que esta compuesta de 10 historias unitarias precisamente para conocer a este famoso escritor clásico y debo decir que me ha gustado.
Historias bien contadas que se leen rápido y sin aburrir, algunas muy emotivas y otras un poco más frías. Me emocioné con un par de ellas y con la penúltima historia donde básicamente era un varón el protagonista y la noble dama casi una mera referencia, debo admitir que me conmoví y sentí tristeza. Algunas tiene un final trágico y otras terminan en un happy end por lo que las disfruté casi todas.
Mi Reseña completa aquí:
http://perezosa69.blogspot.cl/2018/03...
Historias bien contadas que se leen rápido y sin aburrir, algunas muy emotivas y otras un poco más frías. Me emocioné con un par de ellas y con la penúltima historia donde básicamente era un varón el protagonista y la noble dama casi una mera referencia, debo admitir que me conmoví y sentí tristeza. Algunas tiene un final trágico y otras terminan en un happy end por lo que las disfruté casi todas.
Mi Reseña completa aquí:
http://perezosa69.blogspot.cl/2018/03...
March 12, 2014
This was very interesting. A group of "local history" men get together and tell each other stories about women from the past. The stories all have to do with love, marrying the wrong man, and illegitimate children. It says a lot about how women were viewed at the time. Even ones who were well off had very little agency and were frequently condemned for using it when they had the chance. Many of these stories had the theme that parents (especially fathers) know best. But they were all interesting tales. I really enjoy Hardy's writing style. I'm glad I found a nice old copy of this.
August 30, 2020
"A Group of Noble Damed" was my Freudian slip typo of a title and it fits quite well, albeit mispelled.
December 15, 2023
Δέκα άντρες συγκεντρώνονται και αφηγούνται έρωτες αριστοκρατικών γυναικών. Έχοντας τη δομή του δεκαήμερο του Βοκάκιου, περιλαμβάνει 10 ανεξάρτητες ιστορίες ερώτων με άλλοτε θετική και άλλοτε αρνητική κατάληξη, και όλα αυτά στη συνήθη, πολύ κομψή γραφή του Ηardy.
"Η μοναδική σταθερή ιδιότητα στη ζωή είναι η αλλαγή και σε όλη τη διάρκεια της ζωής μιας γυναίκας τίποτε δεν είναι προδιαγεγραμμένο άμα την κυριεύει το πάθος."
"Η καρδιά ενός εραστή, αφότου κατακτηθεί, παρουσιάζει αναλογίες με τα γεωλογικά στρώματα, όπως μας τα έχει περιγράψει κάμποσες φορές ο αξιοσέβαστος πρόεδρός μας: αρχικά καυτό κάρβουνο, έπειτα θερμό, ύστερα δροσερό αποκαΐδι, κατόπιν ψυχρό."
"Αλλά το πιο λυπηρό από όλα ήταν πως η ομορφιά εκείνου, σύμφωνα με όλες τις διηγήσεις, αποτελούσε το πιο ασήμαντο προσόν του, αφού από κάθε περιγραφή συμπεραίνεται πως πρέπει να υπήρξε άνθρωπος με σταθερό χαρακτήρα, λαμπρή νοημοσύνη και πολλά υποσχόμενη ζωή."
"Αλλά κανείς δεν μπορεί να προβλέψει την παραμονεύει πίσω από το ασάλευτο και σιωπηλό πέπλο του μέλλοντος."
"Η μοναδική σταθερή ιδιότητα στη ζωή είναι η αλλαγή και σε όλη τη διάρκεια της ζωής μιας γυναίκας τίποτε δεν είναι προδιαγεγραμμένο άμα την κυριεύει το πάθος."
"Η καρδιά ενός εραστή, αφότου κατακτηθεί, παρουσιάζει αναλογίες με τα γεωλογικά στρώματα, όπως μας τα έχει περιγράψει κάμποσες φορές ο αξιοσέβαστος πρόεδρός μας: αρχικά καυτό κάρβουνο, έπειτα θερμό, ύστερα δροσερό αποκαΐδι, κατόπιν ψυχρό."
"Αλλά το πιο λυπηρό από όλα ήταν πως η ομορφιά εκείνου, σύμφωνα με όλες τις διηγήσεις, αποτελούσε το πιο ασήμαντο προσόν του, αφού από κάθε περιγραφή συμπεραίνεται πως πρέπει να υπήρξε άνθρωπος με σταθερό χαρακτήρα, λαμπρή νοημοσύνη και πολλά υποσχόμενη ζωή."
"Αλλά κανείς δεν μπορεί να προβλέψει την παραμονεύει πίσω από το ασάλευτο και σιωπηλό πέπλο του μέλλοντος."
July 1, 2018
Si bien creo que por momentos abusa de los giros dramáticos (que por cierto me encantan), me parece un libro muy entretenido, y que al mismo tiempo sigue mostrando como Thomas Hardy podía transportar a las situaciones que nos cuenta. Recomendado.
January 27, 2025
Απολογουμαι καθώς δυσκολεύτηκα να ταυτιστώ με ένα έργο που γράφτηκε το 1891 κι αφορά τα ερωτικά πάθη των γαλαζοαιματων γυναικών της εποχής, είναι καλογραμμένο και είμαι σίγουρη ότι εκείνη την εποχή έδειχνε πολύ πιο φρέσκο και δροσερό.
October 26, 2018
Easygoing short stories about "doomed" relationships, worth reading for an anatomy of the social lives and beliefs of English people during the 19th century.
April 25, 2022
All I can say is that I'm glad that the story ended on a positive note. Because it could've gone either ways very easily. Also, have people always been this melodramatic?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2023
3.53⭐
This is a collection of short stories written as a frame tale where the first story sets the stage for more stories to follow. The Mid-Wessex Field and Antiquarian Club were having a two-day meeting in a town inn situated in the county of Wessex where due to the inclement weather they couldn't explore the sites they wanted, decided to share stories. Each of the ten members then proceeded to share a chapter from the domestic histories, traditions and legends of the county about the noble dames of the past 17th and 18th century. Thomas Hardy described the contents of A Group of Noble Dames in (Letters VII, 113) as “I may say it is to be a Tale of Tales; a series of linked stories, of a somewhat different kind from the mass of my work of late”. In his Preface, dated June 1896, Thomas Hardy elucidates that the narratives contained in this collection have been derived from “the diagrams on pages of county histories” of the “pedigrees of country families.” By transforming “this dryness as of dust” into a palpitating drama through a careful comparison of dates alone, the framework of the motives, passions and personal qualities of these extraordinary Dames, most of the stories have “arisen and taken shape.” These “curious tales of fair dames, of their loves and hates, their joys and misfortunes, their beauty and their fate” offer a rich quarry for a study of the female gender in Hardy's time.
Hardy's focus is on the women, and the injurious effect upon them of the clash between convention and sexual passion. They are the victims of social rules, of men, and sometimes even of their own prejudices. Each noble dame tries to make a marriage that will allow for the fulfilment of her desires and affections within the framework of a society which requires in a spouse education, social accomplishment, inherited wealth, and title. Differences in class both attract and repel lovers, and youth and physical beauty are placed in opposition to age and established rank. By extension, the book also presents children as victims of the insidious claims of class. Legitimate
children stand above illegitimate, male above female, and all are seen by their parents in terms of the laws of inheritance.
17th-19th Century European Costumes Description
European costumes from the 17th to the 19th century: 1) Charles I of England (1624); 2) French noblewoman (1650); 3) Dutch citizen couple (1640); English noblewoman (1640); 5) Nobleman (Time during the Thirty Years War); 6) Cologne citizen woman; 7) Louis XIV of France (1680); 8) French noblewoman with the "Fontage" (1680 - 1700); 9 - 10) Woman and Man costume (1730/40); 11) French woman (1794); 12) French dandy (Incroyable, 1794 - 1799); 13) French dandy (Riding habit, 1802); 14) French lady in Empire dress (1803).
Contents:
Preface ✔
Part I—Before Dinner
The First Countess of Wessex by The Local Historian 4⭐
Barbara of the House of Grebe by The Old Surgeon 4.5⭐
The Marchioness of Stonehenge by The Rural Dean 3⭐
Lady Mottisfont by The Sentimental Member 3.5⭐
Part II—After Dinner
The Lady Icenway by The Churchwarden 3.25⭐
Squire Petrick’s Lady by The Crimson Maltster 3⭐
Anna, Lady Baxby by The Colonel 3⭐
The Lady Penelope by The Man of Family 3.5⭐
The Duchess Of Hamptonshire by The Quiet Gentleman 4⭐
The Honourable Laura by The Spark 3.5⭐
This is a collection of short stories written as a frame tale where the first story sets the stage for more stories to follow. The Mid-Wessex Field and Antiquarian Club were having a two-day meeting in a town inn situated in the county of Wessex where due to the inclement weather they couldn't explore the sites they wanted, decided to share stories. Each of the ten members then proceeded to share a chapter from the domestic histories, traditions and legends of the county about the noble dames of the past 17th and 18th century. Thomas Hardy described the contents of A Group of Noble Dames in (Letters VII, 113) as “I may say it is to be a Tale of Tales; a series of linked stories, of a somewhat different kind from the mass of my work of late”. In his Preface, dated June 1896, Thomas Hardy elucidates that the narratives contained in this collection have been derived from “the diagrams on pages of county histories” of the “pedigrees of country families.” By transforming “this dryness as of dust” into a palpitating drama through a careful comparison of dates alone, the framework of the motives, passions and personal qualities of these extraordinary Dames, most of the stories have “arisen and taken shape.” These “curious tales of fair dames, of their loves and hates, their joys and misfortunes, their beauty and their fate” offer a rich quarry for a study of the female gender in Hardy's time.
Hardy's focus is on the women, and the injurious effect upon them of the clash between convention and sexual passion. They are the victims of social rules, of men, and sometimes even of their own prejudices. Each noble dame tries to make a marriage that will allow for the fulfilment of her desires and affections within the framework of a society which requires in a spouse education, social accomplishment, inherited wealth, and title. Differences in class both attract and repel lovers, and youth and physical beauty are placed in opposition to age and established rank. By extension, the book also presents children as victims of the insidious claims of class. Legitimate
children stand above illegitimate, male above female, and all are seen by their parents in terms of the laws of inheritance.
17th-19th Century European Costumes Description
European costumes from the 17th to the 19th century: 1) Charles I of England (1624); 2) French noblewoman (1650); 3) Dutch citizen couple (1640); English noblewoman (1640); 5) Nobleman (Time during the Thirty Years War); 6) Cologne citizen woman; 7) Louis XIV of France (1680); 8) French noblewoman with the "Fontage" (1680 - 1700); 9 - 10) Woman and Man costume (1730/40); 11) French woman (1794); 12) French dandy (Incroyable, 1794 - 1799); 13) French dandy (Riding habit, 1802); 14) French lady in Empire dress (1803).
Contents:
Preface ✔
Part I—Before Dinner
The First Countess of Wessex by The Local Historian 4⭐
Barbara of the House of Grebe by The Old Surgeon 4.5⭐
The Marchioness of Stonehenge by The Rural Dean 3⭐
Lady Mottisfont by The Sentimental Member 3.5⭐
Part II—After Dinner
The Lady Icenway by The Churchwarden 3.25⭐
Squire Petrick’s Lady by The Crimson Maltster 3⭐
Anna, Lady Baxby by The Colonel 3⭐
The Lady Penelope by The Man of Family 3.5⭐
The Duchess Of Hamptonshire by The Quiet Gentleman 4⭐
The Honourable Laura by The Spark 3.5⭐
August 28, 2021
Connaissant mon admiration pour la plume de Thomas Hardy, vous vous imagez bien à quel point j’étais joie d’avoir la plaisir de découvrir une nouvelle œuvre de ce dernier. Cependant et malgré ma très grande envie, ce roman étant un recueil de nouvelles et connaissant mes difficultés face à ce genre, j’avais de très grandes craintes et quelques réserves en ce qui le concerne. Fort heureusement, l’auteur est parvenu à m’entraîner avec aisance dans son récit dont lequel je ne me suis pas ennuyé un seul instant.
Mon intérêt provient avant tout du fil conducteur et du lien qui unit chacune des nouvelles présentées. Finalement, j’ai eu l’impression d’être face à unique roman dans lequel prenaient places plusieurs histoires indépendantes les unes des autres. J’ai vraiment apprécié cette impression de constance permanente et pertinente. Ainsi, j’ai pris énormément de plaisir à suivre les dix récits romantiques contés par différents narrateurs. D’autant plus que j’ai trouvé très réussi l’idée d’offrir autant d’intrigues que de narrateurs. Cela permet à Thomas Hardy de livrer plusieurs point de vue – plus ou moins pertinents – quant aux femmes et à leurs places au sein de la société d’antan. En effet, les femmes et la féminité sont les éléments centraux de ces dramatiques histoires d’amour. Je trouve toujours incroyable à quel point l’auteur a tant de choses à écrire sur l’amour et à quel point chacune de ses ouvrages se dévoile être une hymne à celui-ci. Je suis vraiment en admiration devant en tel hommage à ce vif sentiment.
Cependant et bien qu’il nous en a donné l’habitude, il m’a semblé que cette fois-ci ce dernier mêlait avec éloquence, subtilité et magnificence l’amour et la mort. Je suis vraiment admirateur de ce contraste si brute et particulier à savourer et à déguster. Ainsi chacune des nouvelles présentées se dessinent aussi belles que cruelles à découvrir. Par conséquent, j’ai à nouveau vibré au rythme de ses mots, des ses phrases et de ses paragraphes se dévoilant toujours aussi émouvants et mélodieux. Par ailleurs et sans être son roman le plus puissant, le style de Thomas Hardy se dévoile fortement accessible et fluide à lire. Mieux encore, j’ai adoré les thèmes abordés au cours de ces différentes commérages et même si le sexe féminin n’est pas toujours représenté avec délicatesse, j’ai apprécié les nombreuses et différentes critiques présentes dans cette œuvre et qui concernent de larges thèmes tels que le mariage ou la vanité humaine par exemple. Néanmoins et malgré ces tous leurs atouts, je regrette que certaines nouvelles se dévoilent bien moins captivantes que d’autres ce qui créer un sentiment d’inégalité. Fort heureusement, cela n’a aucunement freiné mon rythme de lecture. De plus et contrairement à cette inégalité, j’ai trouvé que les réactions et le ton des narrateurs étaient parfois trop égaux et semblables installant une certaine monotonie et quelques répétitions narratives.
Quand bien même mes nombreuses craintes quant à la forme de cette œuvre, je suis plus que ravi de sortir totalement enchanté de cette lecture. Thomas Hardy nous dévoile différentes mais inégales nouvelles débordantes d’amour et de cruauté, offrant un contraste pertinent et captivant à découvrir.
Mon intérêt provient avant tout du fil conducteur et du lien qui unit chacune des nouvelles présentées. Finalement, j’ai eu l’impression d’être face à unique roman dans lequel prenaient places plusieurs histoires indépendantes les unes des autres. J’ai vraiment apprécié cette impression de constance permanente et pertinente. Ainsi, j’ai pris énormément de plaisir à suivre les dix récits romantiques contés par différents narrateurs. D’autant plus que j’ai trouvé très réussi l’idée d’offrir autant d’intrigues que de narrateurs. Cela permet à Thomas Hardy de livrer plusieurs point de vue – plus ou moins pertinents – quant aux femmes et à leurs places au sein de la société d’antan. En effet, les femmes et la féminité sont les éléments centraux de ces dramatiques histoires d’amour. Je trouve toujours incroyable à quel point l’auteur a tant de choses à écrire sur l’amour et à quel point chacune de ses ouvrages se dévoile être une hymne à celui-ci. Je suis vraiment en admiration devant en tel hommage à ce vif sentiment.
Cependant et bien qu’il nous en a donné l’habitude, il m’a semblé que cette fois-ci ce dernier mêlait avec éloquence, subtilité et magnificence l’amour et la mort. Je suis vraiment admirateur de ce contraste si brute et particulier à savourer et à déguster. Ainsi chacune des nouvelles présentées se dessinent aussi belles que cruelles à découvrir. Par conséquent, j’ai à nouveau vibré au rythme de ses mots, des ses phrases et de ses paragraphes se dévoilant toujours aussi émouvants et mélodieux. Par ailleurs et sans être son roman le plus puissant, le style de Thomas Hardy se dévoile fortement accessible et fluide à lire. Mieux encore, j’ai adoré les thèmes abordés au cours de ces différentes commérages et même si le sexe féminin n’est pas toujours représenté avec délicatesse, j’ai apprécié les nombreuses et différentes critiques présentes dans cette œuvre et qui concernent de larges thèmes tels que le mariage ou la vanité humaine par exemple. Néanmoins et malgré ces tous leurs atouts, je regrette que certaines nouvelles se dévoilent bien moins captivantes que d’autres ce qui créer un sentiment d’inégalité. Fort heureusement, cela n’a aucunement freiné mon rythme de lecture. De plus et contrairement à cette inégalité, j’ai trouvé que les réactions et le ton des narrateurs étaient parfois trop égaux et semblables installant une certaine monotonie et quelques répétitions narratives.
Quand bien même mes nombreuses craintes quant à la forme de cette œuvre, je suis plus que ravi de sortir totalement enchanté de cette lecture. Thomas Hardy nous dévoile différentes mais inégales nouvelles débordantes d’amour et de cruauté, offrant un contraste pertinent et captivant à découvrir.
April 26, 2024
Thomas Hardy is a master of novels that reflect on the 19th-century people who live in small communities and mysteries. His writing comes alive in his descriptions, dialogue and, often, humor. While they may seem dated at times — his opinion on women is sometimes worrisome for the modern reader — the stories are very much a delight to read.
So far, I’m not sold so much on his short stories, at least the collection he has gathered in A Group of Noble Dames. The stories as presented here were published in serial form during the period of 1878 and 1881, after a couple of anonymous efforts, Desperate Remedies and Under the Greenwood Tree, as well as one of his most popular works, Far from the Madding Crowd.
Unlike the novels, I disliked several of these stories — the women, the main focus of the stories, were often calculating, capricious, impractical and naïve. I am aware that many of these women may be reflections of their times, but still where Bathsheba Everdene, in Far from the Madding Crowd, is a property owner and respected by her workers, her creator makes her both headstrong, prideful, silly and frivolous. As I am still reading Madding Crowd, I still have hope of growth and wisdom coming for Bathsheba — the women in Noble Dames, unfortunately rarely show this.
Also unlike his novels, which are definitely pastoral, these stories focus on the aristocracy. While I can’t fault his writing — his pacing, descriptions of people and place, dialogue — are simpler than in his novels to understand but still strong in emotions. But these stories are almost parables to women: behave in this way and suffer at your peril. No wonder that when the collection was first published, its reception was mixed.
Take for example the first story in this book: The First Countess of Wessex, in which the wife presses for a betrothal of their 11-year-old daughter to a man of 30 with little money, no property but status at court. The husband disagrees but is thwarted when his wife takes the daughter to London and marries her off to her choice. While the girl continues to live with her parents until she reaches the age of 18, she really doesn’t understand the consequences of that London visit. All three suffer as a consequence.
While the men are not only the smarter in these stories, overwhelmingly, these are stories of how women pay for their actions. That was a major disappointment to this reader.
So far, I’m not sold so much on his short stories, at least the collection he has gathered in A Group of Noble Dames. The stories as presented here were published in serial form during the period of 1878 and 1881, after a couple of anonymous efforts, Desperate Remedies and Under the Greenwood Tree, as well as one of his most popular works, Far from the Madding Crowd.
Unlike the novels, I disliked several of these stories — the women, the main focus of the stories, were often calculating, capricious, impractical and naïve. I am aware that many of these women may be reflections of their times, but still where Bathsheba Everdene, in Far from the Madding Crowd, is a property owner and respected by her workers, her creator makes her both headstrong, prideful, silly and frivolous. As I am still reading Madding Crowd, I still have hope of growth and wisdom coming for Bathsheba — the women in Noble Dames, unfortunately rarely show this.
Also unlike his novels, which are definitely pastoral, these stories focus on the aristocracy. While I can’t fault his writing — his pacing, descriptions of people and place, dialogue — are simpler than in his novels to understand but still strong in emotions. But these stories are almost parables to women: behave in this way and suffer at your peril. No wonder that when the collection was first published, its reception was mixed.
Take for example the first story in this book: The First Countess of Wessex, in which the wife presses for a betrothal of their 11-year-old daughter to a man of 30 with little money, no property but status at court. The husband disagrees but is thwarted when his wife takes the daughter to London and marries her off to her choice. While the girl continues to live with her parents until she reaches the age of 18, she really doesn’t understand the consequences of that London visit. All three suffer as a consequence.
While the men are not only the smarter in these stories, overwhelmingly, these are stories of how women pay for their actions. That was a major disappointment to this reader.
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