The First Countess of Wessex in Works of Thomas Hardy

From the Bookshelf of Works of Thomas Hardy…

The First Countess of Wessex

Thomas Hardy

Start date: July 28, 2024

Finish date: August 3, 2024

Discussion: A Group of Noble Dames

Discussion leader: Pamela Mclaren

Why we're reading this: Our short story group read
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A Group of Noble Dames

The First Countess of Wessex (from A Group of Noble Dames) hosted by Pamela
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last updated Aug 07, 2024 09:01PM

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Aug 03, 2024 Connie G rated it liked it

Shelves: short-stories, thomas-hardy

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 ...more

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Apr 25, 2024 Pamela Mclaren rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: short-stories, classics, kindle, literary-fiction

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 鈥� his opinion on women is sometimes worrisome for the modern reader 鈥� the stories are very much a delight to read.

So far, I鈥檓 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 publi 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 鈥� his opinion on women is sometimes worrisome for the modern reader 鈥� the stories are very much a delight to read.

So far, I鈥檓 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 鈥� the women, the main focus of the stories, were often calculating, capricious, impractical and na茂ve. 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 鈥� 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鈥檛 fault his writing 鈥� his pacing, descriptions of people and place, dialogue 鈥� 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鈥檛 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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Aug 06, 2024 Bridget rated it really liked it

Read this short story with the GR "The Works of Thomas Hardy" group, led by the fabulous Pamela. This was a delightful story to read, especially with the group. It's surprisingly romantic, for Thomas Hardy that is. ...more

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