The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters

by Thomas Hardy

Overview

The tale of an opportunistic yet ultimately loyal adventuress who begins life humbly and ends as the wife of a rakish aristocrat, THE HAND OF ETHELBERTA will surprise readers of Thomas Hardy's more familiar, and darker, Wessex novels. Hardy combines elements of domestic melodrama and drawing-room farce with calculated irreverence for literary form. 11 illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781775454045
Publisher:	The Floating Press
Publication date:	07/01/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	556 KB

About the Author

Thomas Hardy (2 June 1840 - 11 January 1928), was an English novelist and poet.

Date of Birth:

June 2, 1840

Date of Death:

January 11, 1928

Place of Birth:

Higher Brockhampon, Dorset, England

Place of Death:

Max Gate, Dorchester, England

Education:

Served as apprentice to architect James Hicks

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The Hand of Ethelberta is … a portrait of two artists – Ethelberta Petherwin and Thomas Hardy …"
—Tim Dolin

Editorial Reviews

Fenella Woolgar gives an exemplary performance of this gentle comic novel, which skews the English class system. Ethelberta is a beautiful and clever young widow who is struggling to provide financial support for her nine siblings and invalid mother. When her efforts as a poet fail, her practicality impels her to consider marriage to one of her many tenacious suitors. Woolgar provides Ethelberta with a youthful, light tone that belies her resolute nature. Woolgar expertly distinguishes the many characters with individualized vocal expression. Her pacing is relaxed, and her vivid depictions of rural and city settings add atmosphere. This novel is an easy listen and can serve as an introduction to Hardy's works. M.J. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2023 - AudioFile