Thomas Hardy

<p>Thomas Hardy was the foremost novelist of his time as well as an established poet. Author of <em>Jude the Obscure</em> and <em>Far from the Madding Crowd</em> Hardy reflected in his works the dynamics of social intellectual and aesthetic change in nineteenth-century England.<br>This guide provides students with a lucid introduction to Hardy's life and works and the basis for a sound comprehension of his work including:</p><ul> <li>the major aspects of Hardy's life in the context of contemporary culture</li> <li>a detailed commentary on Hardy's most important work and a critical map of Hardy's complete writing</li> <li>an outline of the vast body of criticism that has built up around Hardy's work with examples of recent critical debate.</li> </ul><p>Exposition and guide this volume enables readers to form their own readings of one of the most important writers of the nineteenth century.</p>