Ranking the Novels of Thomas Hardy | 2021

[@goodstrongwords]

It’s been brought to my attention that I totally forgot to rank Jude the Obscure in this list 😱. It would probably be just below Two on a Tower. I just felt that Hardy came across as too cynical for me in that one, but I recognize his writing style is at its best and the characters definitely come alive in that one. Sorry about that!

[@kathrynmcnerney6490]

The scene from Jude the Obscure, with the children and the note.. absolutely soul destroyingly sad..

[@goodstrongwords]

It really is! I read it in a Vlog and I think my first reaction was to laugh because I was so shocked that that actually happened. And then I cried of course.

[@novellenovels]

This has been so helpful and given me ideas what book to put in what order.. I will definitely be reading the woodlanders next year. I actually preferred Jude the obscure to return of the native. Tess is my favourite at the moment ☺️

[@goodstrongwords]

Interesting that you preferred Jude. I will say it is much more pacey and the character development is better, but there’s just something darkly enchanting to me about Return of the Native. But, Tess is definitely the best 🥰

[@outofoblivionproductions4015]

Some moments in Jude about love are uplifting (I remember). Tess I always raved about, but I've since read Native and Madding Crowd and it would be hard and interesting to rate them all. There are so many. And he stopped writing novels after he got married- interesting. Victorian novels so often end with the marriage 😉.

[@kathrynmcnerney6490]

I love Jude! Wonderful read.

[@meltodd4103]

@@outofoblivionproductions4015 No - he stopped writing after hostile reception to Jude.He was married throughout his novel writing life.

[@emilythomas3119]

Woodlanders was such a surprise. One of my favorite books ever.

[@jackiereadsandwrites]

I love that cliffhanger fun fact! That's so interesting

[@goodstrongwords]

I know, isn’t that cool! When I heard that I was super fascinated.

[@bobdenmore]

Interesting you ranked The Mayor of Casterbridge so low. I think it’s one of his very best, with massive plot twists and a great character study. I guess one criticism you could make of Hardy, and that stems from his need for cliffhangers due to serialisation of his work, is the constant use of coincidence. That’s very evident in Casterbridge. But overall, I think this shines an intense light on key parts of human nature - particularly pride and ambition.

[@goodstrongwords]

Thank you for your thoughts! I actually reread The Mayor of Casterbridge a few months ago and enjoyed it much more on this second read through. I don’t think I was in a position to appreciate Michael Henchard’s characterization as much the first time. This time around I found him fascinating to follow. Still not an absolute favorite, but in a future re-ranking, I would likely put it above Desperate Remedies, just below The Trumpet Major and Hand of Ethelberta (though I would like to re-read those as well to be sure).

[@bobdenmore]

@@goodstrongwords Good to hear. I’m currently reading ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ and agree with you it is slight and lacking in substance. I think in those early novels he is revelling in the patois and culture of his West Country upbringing to a large extent and not focusing so much on narrative, of which there is little in this case. I too read ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’ twice and got much more out of it the second time around. On ‘Return of the Native’, I can strongly recommend the audible version with narration by the great and missed Shakespearean actor Alan Rickman. He captures so well the nuances of the local accents that might not be evident to someone who reads the book.

[@goodstrongwords]

An audiobook by Alan Rickman sounds incredible! Thank you for letting me know it exists! And yes, “Under the Greenwood Tree” was a disappointment for me as far as the general reading experience. I’m hoping that now I know what to expect, a reread will improve my feelings towards it as well.

[@anotherview7937]

I think Tess Durbeyfield may be the greatest single character in English literature. Haunting.

[@goodstrongwords]

Haunting is a perfect word for her.

[@Kay-th2cx]

Great video. Lovely to see Hardy's less well known novels being talked about. I'm still working my way through the last few Hardy books on my tbr, but so far, from top to bottom, my ranking goes like this: The Woodlanders Far from the Madding Crowd Return of the Native The Trumpet Major Tess of the D'Ubervilles A Pair of Blue Eyes The Mayor of Casterbridge Under the Greenwood Tree

[@goodstrongwords]

Thank you for sharing! Looks like we have a similar order (though with a few differences, obviously). I’m excited to hear how the rest go for you!!

[@kevinrussell1144]

You must have noticed that Jude the Obscure is NOT included in your list OR GSW's. I suspect many woman have problems with Jude because (in my opinion) it is the book most about himself, and most of the women in the book are seriously flawed. Jude is often listed as "his best" but even I, a mature male of +70 years, don't place it at the top. My three favorites are Return of the Native, Far From the Madding Crowd, and Tess, but I am currently reading the Woodlanders and suspect it will slip into the third slot. Men think (at times) that they understand women but, of course, they don't. Hardy probably understood or sympathized with them as much as any man writing in the English language. In Bathsheba, Tess, and Eustacia he created some of the most complex and (at times) beloved women you're ever going to read. When I rank Hardy, I consider which characters I admire and the quality of the story. Diggory Venn and Gabe Oak are far and away the best (in quality) male characters he ever conceived. Tess is almost an unappreciated goddess, whereas Eustacia and Thomasin are opposite sides of a coin, yet both are fascinating and compelling. Gabe and Bathsheba make a lovely, complete couple, while we wonder if Diggory and Tamsie will "grow together" (in the Hardy version that has them wed). Recall that Thomasin refused him before the book starts, and she obviously has an eye for flashy, worthless men. Perhaps (in another world), Jude needed to have met Eustacia; they could have moved to London, and he could become an architect. But it is hard to see either one satisfied with the simple things of happiness. I fear they were doomed to tragedy. One doesn't feel that way about Tess, which is why the story is so sad.

[@goodstrongwords]

Thank you for pointing out that I had neglected Jude the Obscure! I had read it right before this video was made and it must have just slipped my mind. I think I would put it somewhere in the lower half. Not because I had an issue with the female characters (they actually were stand outs to me in the book) but rather because Hardy comes across as most cynical in this book. While Tess, though tragic, makes a commentary on society that I can appreciate, Jude seems to just be commenting that the world is an unfair place and there’s nothing we can do to change it. That being said, his writing is certainly at his best, and the characters have stuck with me. Thank you for sharing your top 3 novels and thoughts on some of the characters! I so appreciate in depth comments like this!

[@kevinrussell1144]

@@goodstrongwords I liken Jude to Wuthering Heights; both are spectacular tour de forces but full of (mostly) unlikeable characters. But once you read them, you remember them.

[@anauldlad]

Jude is a representation of the working class intellectual caught between a blocked road of privilege and a life of dull manual labour, surrounded by the dull and dim witted. There are no other avenues open to him to make more of. Sue is of a higher class, with more options, but chooses a life with her first cousin. No chance of marriage and a life in the margins.

[@LanaCelebic]

Wonderful video! I've never read any Hardy, but I'm very interested in his work. My plan is to start with Tess in a few days. It's the only book by him that I own, so I might as well start there. :)

[@goodstrongwords]

That’s so exciting! A lot of people suggest not starting with Tess, but I think if you know you enjoy tragedies, it’s a good place to start. Obviously I started there and I fell in love with his work so it worked for me 😊

[@PoiemaLee]

I have also been working my way through Hardy's novels and really appreciated your insights. So far, I think my favorite has been The Woodlanders. So much beauty and contrasting pathos all wrapped up together.

[@goodstrongwords]

Thank you! That is such a wonderful description of The Woodlanders. It’s definitely an enchanting read!

[@MishelleLexi]

Okay I have only read one Thomas Hardy book so far which was Far From the Madding Crowd, which I really liked! I have bookmarked this video for future reference. Also, just found your channel through this video, so, hello!

[@goodstrongwords]

Yay! Thank you and welcome to the channel!

[@mrsmarfaasmr3259]

Love your ranking. I only read Tess so far. Have you read Jude the Obscure since then? 👍🤗

[@goodstrongwords]

Thank you! I have read Jude the Obscure! It’s more of a middle of the road one for me, mostly due to it creating a melancholy atmosphere in a way that just feels cynical and completely hopeless. Tess at least has some more hopeful pieces and I’m more sympathetic with Tess than with Jude throughout most of the book 😬

[@adamhasideas6813]

This was an extremely informative video! I've only read one Hardy novel, and that was "Far From the Madding Crowd", and I thought it was pretty good, but not super memorable. I would like to read some other Hardy novels and this video was helpful in giving me some direction towards doing that.

[@goodstrongwords]

I’m so glad!! Hardy is such a wonderful author, I hope you find something by him that piques your interest a bit more!

[@tomaria100]

Lovely analysis!

[@goodstrongwords]

Thank you!

[@toddbelanger1923]

Very very nice video... Just found you by total accident and I'm so glad I did...your awesome... Will definitely follow you going forward.....learnt a lot ...thank you

[@goodstrongwords]

So glad you enjoyed it! I always adore discussing Hardy 😊

[@toddbelanger1923]

@@goodstrongwords How about I just bought 3 of your top Thomas Hardy books...lol...and all his poems..have you ever talked about his poems...I bought this huge complete addition of his poems...massive book haha...see what you started...lol...can't wait to get my first Hardy book under my belt...mini yahoo...haha....

[@goodstrongwords]

@@toddbelanger1923 I have only read a few of his poems, but I do have a bind up of his complete poems and plan to start it soon!

[@toddbelanger1923]

@@goodstrongwords Awesome...when you do I would so love to hear your thoughts on his work..:) Please..:)

[@annpippin6388]

A .list of top nels?

[@fredwelf8650]

Please read DHLawrence’s review of Thomas Hardy, “Containing Six Novels and the Real Tragedy.

[@outofoblivionproductions4015]

If the end was to influence your rating, be interesting how they would change.

[@goodstrongwords]

That’s actually a fun idea! Maybe I will do a “Hardy ending” ranking sometime. Thanks!

[@lindaleehall]

Where is Jude?

[@goodstrongwords]

I included that in a pinned comment. I had just finished it and for some reason totally forgot to mention it 🤦‍♀️. I would put it somewhere in the middle. I appreciate Hardy’s writing in it and enjoyed some of the characters, but ultimately I felt Hardy was at his most cynical in a way that I couldn’t relate to. I just didn’t really pity the characters as much as I think I was supposed to, particularly Jude. 😬. Thanks for watching!

[@annpippin6388]

Captioning eeded