Downloads and Free Reading Options

1Jude the Obscure

By Thomas Hardy

<i>Jude the Obscure</i> is the last of Thomas Hardy's novels, begun as a magazine serial and first published in book form in 1895. Its hero Jude Fawley is a lower-class young man who dreams of becoming a scholar. The two other main characters are his earthy wife, Arabella, and his intellectual cousin, Sue. Themes include class, scholarship, religion, marriage, and the modernization of thought and society. (from Wikipedia)

2Return of the Native

By Thomas Hardy

Like all of Hardy's work, The Return of the Native (1878) is passionate and controversial, with themes and sympathies beyond what a good Victorian would ever admit. A modern and honest novel of chance and choice, faith and infidelities, this dark story asks what is free will and what is fate? What is the true nature of nature, and how do we fit together? <i>Can</i> we fit together?<br /><br /> A tragedy set in the barren land of Edgon Heath. Our heroine, Eustacia, is proud, passionate, cruel, fickle, avaricious, and desperate. She burns every life she touches, never able to find the mad love and exotic world she dreams of. Our supposed hero, Clym, is modest, steady, plain, moral, and dutiful. He is satisfied returning from Paris to the simple comfort of home.<br /><br /> When they come together, the Heath will come apart.<br /><br /> Originally released as five books, in classic tragic form, a sixth, tacking on a 'happy ending', was added by editor and public pressure. (Summary by Marlo Dianne)

LibriVox volunteers bring you seven different recordings of <em>The Oxen</em>, by Thomas Hardy. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of December 17th, 2006.

4Far from the Madding Crowd

By Thomas Hardy

Far from the Madding Crowd (1874) is Thomas Hardy's fourth novel and offers in ample measure the details of English rural life that Hardy so relished. Hardy's growing taste for tragedy is also evident in the novel. It first appeared, anonymously, as a monthly magazine serial, where it gained a wide readership and critical acclaim. According to Virginia Woolf, "The subject was right; the method was right; the poet and the countryman, the sensual man, the sombre reflective man, the man of learning, all enlisted to produce a book which . . . must hold its place among the great English novels." The book is often regarded as an early piece of feminist literature, since it features an independent woman with the courage to defy convention by running a farm herself. Although Bathsheba's passionate nature leads her into serious errors of judgment, Hardy endows her with sufficient resilience, intelligence, and good luck to overcome her youthful folly.

5Trumpet-Major

By Thomas Hardy

Our heroine, Anne Garland, lives quietly in a rural community deep in the English countryside. However, the arrival of several regiments preparing for an expected invasion brings colour and chaos to the county. A graceful and charming young woman, Anne is pursued by three suitors: John Loveday, the trumpet-major in a British regiment, honest and loyal; his brother Robert, a merchant seaman and womaniser, and Festus Derriman, the cowardly son of the local squire. Set at the time of the Napoleonic wars, this is the author's only historical novel, and unusually for Hardy's books, some of the characters live happily ever after. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia by Cori Samuel.)

6Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses (Selection)

By Thomas Hardy

Hardy claimed poetry as his first love, and published collections until his death in 1928. Although not as well received by his contemporaries as his novels, Hardy's poetry has been applauded considerably in recent years. Most of his poems deal with themes of disappointment in love and life, and mankind's long struggle against indifference to human suffering. (Summary from Wikipedia).

7Mayor of Casterbridge

By Thomas Hardy

The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) is a tragic novel by English author Thomas Hardy subtitled, "The Life and Death of a Man of Character". It is set in the fictional town of Casterbridge (based on the town of Dorchester in Dorset). The book is one of Hardy's Wessex novels, all set in a fictional rustic England. (Wikipedia)<br/><br/> A poor, disgruntled, drunken young man sells his wife and child to the highest bidder. When he awakens, sober, the next day he regrets his rash act and vows to give up drink and find his family and bring them home. Eventually he is forced to give up the search and move on with his life. He does this quite successfully until, nearly 20 years later, his past comes back to haunt him. (DebraLynn)

8Tess of the d'Urbervilles

By Thomas Hardy

One of the greatest English tragic novels, TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES (1891) is the story of a “pure woman” who is victimized both by conventional morality and its antithesis. Born near Dorchester, Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) set most of his stories in the region between Berkshire and Dorset in the fictional county of Wessex. He was a controversial writer whose work often showed the result of flouting the rigid Victorian moral code — his novel JUDE THE OBSCURE was (allegedly) burned by the Bishop of Wakefield for its shocking content. Hardy was an unflinching observer and in TESS has left us some unforgettable vignettes of rural life in late 19th-century England: the slow death of a flock of wounded pheasants, the monotony of field labour under an iron gray sky, and the itinerant farm worker’s seasonal round. (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis)

9Under the Greenwood Tree

By Thomas Hardy

This novel is subtitled <em>The Mellstock Quire, A Rural Painting of the Dutch School</em>. The Quire is the group of musicians who accompany the hymns at the local church and we follow the fortunes of one member, Dick Dewy, who falls in love with the new school mistress, Fancy Day. <br /><br />Another element of the book is the battle between the traditional musicians of the Quire and the local vicar, Parson Maybold, who installs a church organ. This battle illustrates the developing technology being introduced in the Victorian era and its threat to traditional country ways. <br /><br />The novel was published anonymously in 1872 and is often seen as Thomas Hardy's most gentle and pastoral novel. In 2005 <em>Under the Greenwood Tree</em> was adapted for a television version by Ashley Pharoah. (Summary by Rachel Lintern)

10Woodlanders

By Thomas Hardy

The story takes place in a small woodland village called Little Hintock, and concerns the efforts of an honest woodsman, Giles Winterborne, to marry his childhood sweetheart, Grace Melbury. Although they have been informally betrothed for some time, her father has made financial sacrifices to give his adored only child a superior education and no longer considers Giles good enough for her.<br /><br /> The Woodlanders marks the beginnings of controversy for Hardy's novels. At this point in his career he was established enough as a writer to take risks, especially in the areas of sex, sexual attraction, marriage, divorce, marital fidelity, unconventional plots and tones, and seemingly immoral conclusions. (Summary Wikipedia)

11Pair of Blue Eyes

By Thomas Hardy

The book describes the love triangle between a young woman, Elfride Swancourt, and her two suitors from very different backgrounds. Stephen Smith is a socially inferior but ambitious young man who adores her and with whom she shares a country background. Henry Knight is the respectable, established, older man who represents London society. (Summary by Wikipedia)

12Far From The Madding Crowd, version 2

By Thomas Hardy

Far From The Madding Crowd is Hardy's fourth novel. It centres on the lives of five characters: Gabriel Oak, Bathsheba Everdene, Mr Boldwood, Sgt. Troy and Fanny Robin. The plot involves love, loyalty, death and betrayal and all this is delivered to us in Hardy's most eloquent prose. The images of character and nature are painted for our mind's eye with sublime style. Finally, but not least, Hardy's use of the Greek chorus is unsurpassed in injecting comedy and nudging the story along. (Summary by Tadhg Hynes)<br /><br /> Proof-Listeners: Joy Easton & Betty M.

13Woodlanders (version 2)

By Thomas Hardy

The Woodlanders is one of Hardy's later novels, although he originally intended it as a successor to Far From The Madding Crowd. It concerns the life and loves of Giles Winterborne, Grace Melbury, Edred Fitzpiers, Felice Charmond and Marty South. The topics of class, fidelity and loyalty are dealt with in Hardy's exquisite style and set in the beautiful woodlands of Hintock (T.Hynes)

14Two On A Tower

By Thomas Hardy

The plot concerns two – literally star-crossed – lovers: Swithin St. Cleeve, a very young amateur astronomer, and Viviette Constantine, an unhappily married and abandoned woman 8 or 9 years his senior. Each night Swithin climbs the old tower of the title, in the grounds of the Constantine estate. Lady Constantine, whose husband has been absent some years on an extended hunting and exploring journey to Africa, joins the young man in his stargazing, and supports his astronomical ambitions by buying him equipment, though his dreams of scientific renown are disappointed. Their relationship then deepens and takes several twists and turns.(Summary by Tadhg)

15Desperate Remedies

By Thomas Hardy

Cytherea Graye is poor, but accepts a post as lady's maid to the eccentric Miss Aldclyffe, the woman whom her father had loved but had not been able to marry. Cytherea in turn loves a young architect, Edward Springrove; but will Miss Adclyffe's machinations, the knowledge that Edward is already engaged to a woman whom he does not love, and the urgent need to support her sick brother drive Cytherea to accept the hand of Aeneas Manston? Will true love triumph in the end or will she be forced to live a life of misery with a man she doesn't love? ( Michele Eaton )

16Wessex Tales

By Thomas Hardy

Wessex Tales is a collection of six short stories written by Hardy in the 1880’s. If you’ve never read Hardy they’ll serve as a good introduction to his writing. Though not as comprehensive as his major works they do contain all the ingredients that make him instantly recognisable. (Introduction by T. Hynes.)

17Well-Beloved

By Thomas Hardy

'The Well-Beloved' tells the story of Jocelyn Pierston and his love for three generations of women - the grandmother, her daughter and grand-daughter over a period of forty years. Pierston is seeking for perfection in his choice of lover and in doing so lets opportunities for happiness pass him by. However, at the end of his life, he finds some kind of contentment in compromise. (Summary by Simon Evers)

18Mayor of Casterbridge (version 2)

By Thomas Hardy

Irritated and drunken, an itinerant farm-worker sells his wife and child to a stranger. Thus begins The Mayor of Casterbridge, set in rural and small-town England in the mid-1800s. In the original subtitle, Hardy called this the story of "a man of character," and the central character, Michael Henchard, is one of English fiction's greatest creations. Henchard is deeply developed as a realistic character, but also larger-than-life in the manner of a Greek or Shakespearean tragic hero — huge in his determination and huge in his failings. The novel deals with the struggles between individual will, the hold of the past, and the relentless control of circumstances in a changing society. (Summary by Bruce Pirie)

19Tess of the d'Urbervilles (version 2)

By Thomas Hardy

Tess of the d'Urbervilles subtitled, "A Pure Woman," is the story of a young working woman named Tess Durbeyfield who is sent by her father to visit wealthy relatives. Her encounter with Alec d'Urberville changes her life forever, and brings about a doom that no one could have foreseen. (Summary by Alisson Veldhuis)<br/><br/>Files edited by TriciaG & Cody Russell

20Hand of Ethelberta

By Thomas Hardy

Ethelberta was raised in humble circumstances but became a governess and consequently, at the age of 18, married well. However, her husband died two weeks after the wedding. Her father-in-law, Lord Petherwin, died shortly afterwards. Ethelberta (now 21) lives with her mother-in-law, Lady Petherwin. In the three years that have elapsed since her marriage, Ethelberta has been treated to foreign travel and further privileges by Lady Petherwin but restricted from seeing her own family. The story follows Ethelberta's career as a famous poetess and storyteller. Meanwhile, she struggles to support her family and conceal the fact that her father is a butler. Ethelberta easily attracts four very persistent suitors but is reluctant to give her much-coveted hand. The book is written in serial form. (Summary by Simon Evers)

21Jude the Obscure (Version 2)

By Thomas Hardy

Eleven-year-old Jude Fawley, inspired by his teacher Mr. Phillotson, who leaves Marygreen for Christminster to take a university degree, decides to adopt the same course for himself. Raised by his great-aunt, he studies hard with the aid of some old Latin and Greek books sent to him by Phillotson.He trains as a stonemason in order to enable him to support himself when at the university. However when he finally arrives in Christminster he soon finds that a university education is not easily come by for one of his social standing.Meeting and falling in love with his cousin Sue Bridehead his future becomes a series of challenges to his moral, religious and social beliefs.<br><br> The novel caused quite a stir in late Victorian England due in part to it’s depiction of marriage and the role religion played in it. Savagely criticised on publication it led to Hardy turning from novel writing and concentrating for the rest of his career on poetry alone. It’s now considered one of Hardy’s finest works and is held up as an example of English novel writing at it’s best.<br><br> Summary by T.Hynes.

22Song of the Soldiers' Wives

By Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy is regarded as one of the best English novelists. His novels are heartbreaking, unconventional, sad and lyrical. He also wrote many poems. This is one of the best. This is the weekly poem for the week starting at 5 August 2012. (Summary by Stav Nisser)

23Tess of the d'Urbervilles (version 3)

By Thomas Hardy

"Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented" is a novel by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1891. It initially appeared in a censored and serialised version, published by the British illustrated newspaper, The Graphic. Though now considered an important work of English literature, the book received mixed reviews when it first appeared, in part because it challenged the sexual mores of Hardy's day. The original manuscript is on display at the British Library, showing that it was originally titled "Daughter of the d'Urbervilles." (Summary by Wikipedia) <br><br /> This project was DPLed by Bead Krazy Dawn and pwaugh68

24Return of the Native (version 2 dramatic reading)

By Thomas Hardy

<br />Clym Yeobright returns home to Egdon Heath, a scattered collection of houses on the isolated Wessex moors, and is caught up in a "love pentagon" which includes: his cousin, Thomasin Yeobright; the shadowy inn-keeper, Damon Wildeve; the controversial and romantic Eustacia Vye; and the mysterious reddleman, Diggory Venn, whose skin is stained completely red from his work. This work has all the well-known marks of Thomas Hardy: the Wessex landscape, a choice of lovers, a wedding gone wrong, a particularly shy 30-something man, and a woman with an independent spirit. But, The Return of the Native is unique in its pagan undertones - the first five books take place over a year and a day, starting on All Hallow's Eve, and hints of magic and witchcraft. (Summary by Libby Gohn)<br /><br /> <strong>Characters:</strong><br /> Narrator: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/3912">Bob Neufeld </a><br /> Clym Yeobright: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4344">Tadhg </a><br /> Eustacia Vye: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6544">Amanda Friday </a><br /> Damon Wildeve: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/8466">Chris Cartwright </a><br /> Thomasin Yeobright: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6924">Rapunzelina </a><br /> Diggory Venn: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7079">Chuck Williamson </a><br /> Mrs. Yeobright: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7026">Michele Eaton </a><br /> Grandfer Cantle and "Saint George": <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7170">alanmapstone </a><br /> Timothy Fairway: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/8169">tovarisch </a><br /> Humphrey, Bonfire Boy, Party Guest, Raffle Woman, Inn Girl and Rachel: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1259">Elizabeth Klett </a><br /> Olly Dowden and Charley: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7315">Charlotte Duckett </a><br /> Susan Nunsuch: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6281">Beth Thomas </a><br /> Christian Cantle: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/3157">TriciaG </a><br /> Sam: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW </a><br /> Captain Vye,"Doctor", Driver, and Pedlar: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4145">Patti Cunningham </a><br /> Johnny Nunsuch: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7138">CaprishaPage </a><br /> Vye Servant and"Saracen": <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7679">Libby Gohn </a><br /> "Father Christmas": <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6065">David Olson </a><br /> "Valiant Soldier": <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6548">Kristingj </a><br /> Chapman and Surgeon: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/103">Karen Savage </a><br /> Nurse: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4174">Availle </a>

25Group of Noble Dames

By Thomas Hardy

The pedigrees of our county families, arranged in diagrams on the pages of county histories, mostly appear at first sight to be as barren of any touch of nature as a table of logarithms. But given a clue—the faintest tradition of what went on behind the scenes, and this dryness as of dust may be transformed into a palpitating drama. Out of such pedigrees and supplementary material most of the following stories have arisen and taken shape. (Summary adapted from the preface)

26In Time Of The Breaking Of Nations

By Thomas Hardy

LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 recordings of "In Time Of The Breaking Of Nations" by Thomas Hardy. This was the Weekly Poetry project for June 30, 2013.<br><br>Written during the First World War, this is a poem about love, war and their timelessness by one of the best Victorian novelists. (Summary by Stav Nisser)

27Mayor of Casterbridge (version 3)

By Thomas Hardy

In a fit of drunkenness, Michael Henchard sells his wife and baby daughter to the highest bidder at a country fair. He lives with regret and swears off drink, until his wife and daughter return eighteen years later, when he is now well-off and the Mayor of Casterbridge. - Summary by Alisson Veldhuis

28Wessex Poems

By Thomas Hardy

A collection of poetry by Thomas Hardy, some of which were previously published or adapted into his prose works. - Summary by Libby Gohn

29Changed Man And Other Tales

By Thomas Hardy

Eleven short stories. - Summary by david wales

30Life's Little Ironies; A Set Of Tales With Some Colloquial Sketches Entitled A Few Crusted Characters

By Thomas Hardy

Eighteen short stories by a master story teller. - Summary by david wales

31Laodicean

By Thomas Hardy

The Laodicean (someone whose religious beliefs are “lukewarm”) of the title is Paula Power who bought the ancient castle De Stancy which she is determined to restore. Being of a modern frame of mind, she has the telegraph connected to the castle – and uses it all the time in the course of the story. <br /><br /> George Somerset is a young architect who is invited to compete for the chance of the commission to restore the castle and who falls in love with Paula. <br /><br /> However, the brother of Paula’s great friend Charlotte De Stancy – of the aristocratic family that once owned the castle – aided by his villainous illegitimate son, sets out to win Paula for himself. <br /><br /> Although Paula likes the idea of being a De Stancy, she is drawn to George from the start. The various machinations of De Stancy and his son keep the narrative moving along at a fast pace. <br /><br /> Summary by Simon Evers

32Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid

By Thomas Hardy

A milkmaid, Margery, encounters a mysterious foreigner and perhaps prevents him from committing suicide. In gratitude, the man offers her any reward she can name. She tells him she wants to go to a ball. He takes her, admittedly a bit reluctantly, to a yeoman's ball in a neighboring county. From there the story continues because of course, a lot happens after the ball. She happens to already have an engagement to a local lad but his hold over her seems to grow of its own accord. This Hardy story may not end the way you wish, but that is often true of stories by this master writer. (Summary by Phil Chenevert)

33Satires of Circumstance, Lyrics and Reveries, with Miscellaneous Pieces

By Thomas Hardy

Published in 1914, this is a compilation of 107 poems by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), who is probably better known as the author of such famous novels as <i>Tess of the d'Urbervilles</i> and <i>Far from the Madding Crowd</i>. <br><br> Similar to his novels, the underlying themes of the majority of the poems in this collection are death, departure and unfulfilled love, while the central piece is comprised of the 15 short "Satires of Circumstance," funny poems with a bittersweet touch. <br><br> The poems have been recorded by our trio of readers John Burlinson, Tomas Peter and Sonia. As an interesting touch, some poems can be considered short dramatic readings, and as such have been performed as dialogues.

34Middle Age Enthusiasms

By Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy, OM was an English novelist and poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot, he was influenced both in his novels and in his poetry by Romanticism, especially William Wordsworth. Charles Dickens was another important influence. Like Dickens, he was highly critical of much in Victorian society, though Hardy focused more on a declining rural society. - Summary by Wikipedia

35Ruined Maid

By Thomas Hardy

While Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and regarded himself primarily as a poet, his first collection was not published until 1898. Initially, therefore, he gained fame as the author of such novels as Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895). During his lifetime, Hardy's poetry was acclaimed by younger poets (particularly the Georgians) who viewed him as a mentor. After his death his poems were lauded by Ezra Pound, W. H. Auden and Philip Larkin. (Wikipedia)

36Songs of Two

By Arthur S. Hardy

This is a volume of poems by American engineer, educator, editor, diplomat, novelist, and poet Arthur Sherburne Hardy. All of the poems in this volume are short and expressive, touching upon many different subjects. - Summary by Carolin

37At A Lunar Eclipse

By Thomas Hardy

LibriVox volunteers bring you 25 recordings of At A Lunar Eclipse by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for January 27, 2019. <br> ------<br> While Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and regarded himself primarily as a poet, his first collection was not published until 1898. Initially, therefore, he gained fame as the author of such novels as Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895). During his lifetime, Hardy's poetry was acclaimed by younger poets (particularly the Georgians) who viewed him as a mentor. - Summary by Wikipedia

Water is fascinating! Which child is not delighted by the sea shore, by rivers, even by puddles in the street? This little book explains to children that a river can cut through rock to weave its way to the sea, how sand is made, and how fish can breathe underwater. Grown-ups may learn some new things, too! - Summary by Carolin

39Great Ghost Stories

By Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards, Joseph Lewis French, Théophile Gautier, Thomas Hardy, E. T. A. Hoffmann, M. R. James, Frederick Marryat, Fitz-James O'Brien, Margaret O. Oliphant, Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch and William Sharp

A great collection of 12 classic stories about ghosts and the supernatural. Included are stories by Thomas Hardy, Fitz-James O'Brien, and Margaret Oliphant. Recommended for fans of classic ghost stories of yesteryear. - Summary by Phyllis Vincelli

40To Flowers From Italy In Winter

By Thomas Hardy

LibriVox volunteers bring you 13 recordings of To Flowers From Italy In Winter by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for July 25, 2021. <br> ------<br> This Weekly Poem features some of the Poet's thoughts on imported flowers. ( a curious subject) - Summary by David Lawrence

LibriVox volunteers bring you 12 recordings of When I set out for Lyonnesse by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for August 22, 2021. <br> ------<br> This Weekly poem is from the collection Satires of Circumstance by Thomas Hardy (1914). Lyonnesse was a mythical Kingdom mentioned in the Arthurian legends. - Summary by Alan Mapstone

42Commonplace Day

By Thomas Hardy

LibriVox volunteers bring you 14 recordings of A Commonplace Day by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for February 27, 2022. <br> ------<br> Thomas Hardy OM was an English novelist and poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot, he was influenced both in his novels and in his poetry by Romanticism, including the poetry of William Wordsworth. He was highly critical of much in Victorian society, especially on the declining status of rural people in Britain, such as those from his native South West England. (Wikipedia)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 23 recordings of 'A Popular Personage at Home' by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for January 15, 2023. <br> ------<br> A dog's point of view? - Summary by David Lawrence

44Backward Spring

By Thomas Hardy

LibriVox volunteers bring you 22 recordings of A Backward Spring by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for March 19, 2023. <br> ------<br> While Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and regarded himself primarily as a poet, his first collection was not published until 1898. Initially, he gained fame as the author of novels such as Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895). During his lifetime, Hardy's poetry was acclaimed by younger poets (particularly the Georgians) who viewed him as a mentor - Summary by Wikipedia

45British Soldier: His Courage And Humour

By Edward John Hardy

The Reverend Edward John Hardy, ordained in the Church Of Ireland, was a chaplain in the British army for thirty one years. His 1915 collection of anecdotes is by and about the British soldier, the “Tommy” or “Mr. Thomas Atkins” as Hardy calls him. “I did not need a war of nations to learn about the courage and humour of the British soldier…. . I have done little more than select and classify the letters of that best of war correspondents—the British soldier. The letters are a credit to his head and his heart, and throw a searchlight on the war. The soldier wrote of the things he knew about, and the result is that we can see his pen pictures….” - Summary by Book Preface and david wales

46Poems of Pilgrimage

By Thomas Hardy

A short collection of poems by Thomas Hardy describing his feelings when visiting various places of historic interest in Italy and Switzerland. The first poem is a tribute to Queen Victoria written in the week of her death. (Summary by Alan Mapstone)

Poems of the Past and the Present is the second collection of poems by Thomas Hardy published in 1901. It is divided into 5 sections, War Poems, Poems of Pilgrimage, Miscellaneous Poems, Imitations and Retrospect. <br><br> The first poem is a tribute to Queen Victoria written in the week of her death. (Summary by Alan Mapstone)

48Two Wives

By Thomas Hardy

LibriVox volunteers bring you 13 recordings of The Two Wives by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for October 15, 2023. <br> ------<br> Taken from Late Lyrics and Earlier, With Many Other Verses by Thomas Hardy (1922) - Summary by David Lawrence

LibriVox volunteers bring you 14 recordings of The House of Hospitalities by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for December 13, 2023. <br> ------<br> Although his poems were initially not as well received as his novels had been, Thomas Hardy is now recognised as one of the great poets of the 20th century, and his verse had a profound influence on later writers, including Robert Frost, W. H. Auden, Dylan Thomas and Philip Larkin. - Summary by Wikipedia

50Choirmaster's Burial

By Thomas Hardy

LibriVox volunteers bring you 21 recordings of The Choirmaster's Burial by Thomas Hardy.<br> This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for February 16, 2025. <br> ------<br> During his lifetime, Hardy's poetry was acclaimed by younger poets (particularly the Georgians) who viewed him as a mentor. After his death his poems were lauded by Ezra Pound, W. H. Auden and Philip Larkin. (Summary by Wikipedia)