"Too fragrant was life's early bloom/Too tart the fruit it brought!" - can sum up, in his own words, Hardy's life. This mild, amazingly intelligent man straddles the horrific social divide he was born into with strength, insight and bravery. Wonderfully researched (as always) by Tomalin. We are left thankful for a rich, strong and original mind who produced a peerless addition to our Island novelists.
(Joan Jackson - bwl 44 February 2008 ) |
