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Fellow-Townsmen
Subtly chronicling the cruel twists and turns of human fate, Fellow-Townsmen exemplifies Hardy’s enduring perfection of his literary craft—and the artistic brilliance of his passionate portrayal of the trials of the human heart. Barnet and Downe are old and good friends in the Wessex town of Port Bredy—yet fate has treated them differently. Barnet, a prosperous man, has been unlucky in love and now lives with the consequences of a judicious but loveless marriage. Downe, a poor solicitor, is radiantly happy, with a doting wife and adoring children. A chance meeting one night causes them to reflect on their disparate lots in life and sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever. Both a meticulous record of English provincial customs and a melancholic reflection on the brevity of human happiness, this short work displays all the artistry of Hardy’s major fiction. Thomas Hardy is one of Britain’s greatest authors; among his most famous works are Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure.
88 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1880
About the author
Thomas Hardy
2,790 books7,029 followersThomas Hardy, OM, was an English author of the naturalist movement, although in several poems he displays elements of the previous romantic and enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural. He regarded himself primarily as a poet and composed novels mainly for financial gain.
The bulk of his work, set mainly in the semi-fictional land of Wessex, delineates characters struggling against their passions and circumstances. Hardy's poetry, first published in his 50s, has come to be as well regarded as his novels, especially after The Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
The term cliffhanger is considered to have originated with Thomas Hardy's serial novel A Pair of Blue Eyes in 1873. In the novel, Hardy chose to leave one of his protagonists, Knight, literally hanging off a cliff staring into the stony eyes of a trilobite embedded in the rock that has been dead for millions of years. This became the archetypal — and literal — cliff-hanger of Victorian prose.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
The bulk of his work, set mainly in the semi-fictional land of Wessex, delineates characters struggling against their passions and circumstances. Hardy's poetry, first published in his 50s, has come to be as well regarded as his novels, especially after The Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
The term cliffhanger is considered to have originated with Thomas Hardy's serial novel A Pair of Blue Eyes in 1873. In the novel, Hardy chose to leave one of his protagonists, Knight, literally hanging off a cliff staring into the stony eyes of a trilobite embedded in the rock that has been dead for millions of years. This became the archetypal — and literal — cliff-hanger of Victorian prose.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 28, 2026
I’ve been gradually making my way through Thomas Hardy’s short stories, and with this one I have completed the collection “Wessex Tales”.
Although classed as a short story, “Fellow Townsmen” borders on novella territory. Personally I think it’s one of the best of the collection.
It has an urban setting and the protagonist, Barnet, is the son of a successful manufacturer. With his inherited wealth he has no need to work, but he is trapped in an unhappy marriage, one which he made for reasons of status. In deciding to marry he gave up the true object of his affections, one Lucy Savile.
As with all Hardy’s stories, this one displays the mores of the period. Barnet’s wife once had her eye on a Lord Ringdale, and tells her husband that:
“Her concern was not with him or his feelings, as she frequently told him; but that she had, in a moment of weakness, thrown herself away upon a common burgher when she might have aimed at, and possibly brought down, a peer of the realm.”
Interesting use of language, which rather suggests that the upper classes of the period saw marriage as a form of predation.
A spoiler follows, hopefully invisible.
Although classed as a short story, “Fellow Townsmen” borders on novella territory. Personally I think it’s one of the best of the collection.
It has an urban setting and the protagonist, Barnet, is the son of a successful manufacturer. With his inherited wealth he has no need to work, but he is trapped in an unhappy marriage, one which he made for reasons of status. In deciding to marry he gave up the true object of his affections, one Lucy Savile.
As with all Hardy’s stories, this one displays the mores of the period. Barnet’s wife once had her eye on a Lord Ringdale, and tells her husband that:
“Her concern was not with him or his feelings, as she frequently told him; but that she had, in a moment of weakness, thrown herself away upon a common burgher when she might have aimed at, and possibly brought down, a peer of the realm.”
Interesting use of language, which rather suggests that the upper classes of the period saw marriage as a form of predation.
A spoiler follows, hopefully invisible.
November 22, 2018
Hardy siempre es un acierto. Conciudadanos es una historia muy cortita pero de una gran intensidad. Aviso que es de esas novelas que dejan huella y que te dejan pensando una vez cierras el libro.
Os la recomiendo.
Mi reseña: http://contandoteunlibro.blogspot.com...
Os la recomiendo.
Mi reseña: http://contandoteunlibro.blogspot.com...
February 3, 2021
Take the risk or lose the chance. Buena historia para reflexionar sobre lo breve que es la vida y lo mucho que desaprovechamos el tiempo y las oportunidades. El arrepentimiento es demasiado duradero.
August 28, 2022
«Hay hombres honestos que no admiten en sus pensamientos, incluso como vanas hipótesis, visiones de futuro que conjeturen como realizado un acto que les repugnaría realizar; y hay otros hombres igual de honestos para quienes la moralidad acaba en la superficie de sus propias cabezas, y que deliberan sobre lo que los primeros ni siquiera llegarán a conjeturar».
Nos narra la historia de Barnet, un rico hombre de negocios, casado con una mujer refinada y fría a la que no quiere. Su infeliz matrimonio le lleva a recordar a Lucy, su antiguo amor, al que tuvo que renunciar debido a la baja posición social de la joven. Tenerla tan cerca y a la vez tan lejos supone una tortura para Barnet, que no pierde ocasión de buscarla y ofrecerse a ayudarla, dadas las duras condiciones en las que vive la joven, sin trabajo ni familia. Pero Lucy, dulce y entregada a sus convicciones, no acepta la caridad de un hombre casado, mucho menos de uno cuyos lazos fueron tan estrechos en el pasado.
Estamos ante una obra breve, de apenas 120 páginas, pero sumamente disfrutable. En ella ya se ve un atisbo del pesimismo que suele acompañar a las obras de Hardy. Desde el principio ves venir la fatalidad que envuelve las vidas de los personajes y, aún así, no puedes más que leer y leer como cuando ves un accidente del que no puedes apartar la vista.
Y las descripciones... maravillosas, como siempre.
Hardy nunca decepciona.
Nos narra la historia de Barnet, un rico hombre de negocios, casado con una mujer refinada y fría a la que no quiere. Su infeliz matrimonio le lleva a recordar a Lucy, su antiguo amor, al que tuvo que renunciar debido a la baja posición social de la joven. Tenerla tan cerca y a la vez tan lejos supone una tortura para Barnet, que no pierde ocasión de buscarla y ofrecerse a ayudarla, dadas las duras condiciones en las que vive la joven, sin trabajo ni familia. Pero Lucy, dulce y entregada a sus convicciones, no acepta la caridad de un hombre casado, mucho menos de uno cuyos lazos fueron tan estrechos en el pasado.
Estamos ante una obra breve, de apenas 120 páginas, pero sumamente disfrutable. En ella ya se ve un atisbo del pesimismo que suele acompañar a las obras de Hardy. Desde el principio ves venir la fatalidad que envuelve las vidas de los personajes y, aún así, no puedes más que leer y leer como cuando ves un accidente del que no puedes apartar la vista.
Y las descripciones... maravillosas, como siempre.
Hardy nunca decepciona.
September 14, 2015
I loved this book. I want to give it less stars only because it is such a terribly heart wrenching story.
July 20, 2018
In which all involved fall in love and live happily ever after.
C'mon, this is Thomas Hardy. In this one we follow the fates of two townsmen, a hard-working solicitor with a happy home life but poor, and a inherited rich lay-about man with a not-so-happy home life because of a decision he rashly made some time ago.
All goes topsy-turvy in each man's life after a boating accident and the rich man soon has a chance to set things right. Not once, but three times in his life he has this chance and is denied every time.
Fate and free will are always a theme in Hardy - in this one he tips towards the fact that sometimes it is a matter of a day that things could change if one had only waited or if one had only acted sooner. But how do we know which one? That is where tragedy comes in.
C'mon, this is Thomas Hardy. In this one we follow the fates of two townsmen, a hard-working solicitor with a happy home life but poor, and a inherited rich lay-about man with a not-so-happy home life because of a decision he rashly made some time ago.
All goes topsy-turvy in each man's life after a boating accident and the rich man soon has a chance to set things right. Not once, but three times in his life he has this chance and is denied every time.
Fate and free will are always a theme in Hardy - in this one he tips towards the fact that sometimes it is a matter of a day that things could change if one had only waited or if one had only acted sooner. But how do we know which one? That is where tragedy comes in.
February 13, 2015
What a magnificent little book! I am actually quite disappointed that it is so short, as I would have loved to immerse myself a little more in the story and the characters' lives! Oh, well.
March 10, 2024
I read this for a class and didn't expect much, to be honest. Boy was I surprised.
A brilliantly written emotional rollercoaster. I'm well accustomed with tragic romances, and sad stories in general; even grew to enjoy them. This one, particularly, both captivated and annoyed me for the twists and turns it plays on the reader: every time you think something good is about to happen, that happiness slips through your fingers, yet again. A beautiful tale on the fragility of human life and the importance of seizing the opportunities for happiness that are thrown at us.
A brilliantly written emotional rollercoaster. I'm well accustomed with tragic romances, and sad stories in general; even grew to enjoy them. This one, particularly, both captivated and annoyed me for the twists and turns it plays on the reader: every time you think something good is about to happen, that happiness slips through your fingers, yet again. A beautiful tale on the fragility of human life and the importance of seizing the opportunities for happiness that are thrown at us.
February 5, 2025
wtf thomas hardy
January 9, 2021
This story is calculated to crush your heart.
June 30, 2012
Found this in the clearance area & scooped it up at once. I've only listened to a BBC radio version of Tess of the d'Urbervilles and after seeing how long that book is, I figured I could start with something a little shorter to make sure I like Hardy. Though it's short, this story is quickly engrossing. Plus, the main character is Barnet. So, really, how could I pass this up?
June 12, 2020
Two old friends in a provincial English town, Barnet and Downe, that have lived rather different lives (one rich and unhappy, the other poor but with a fulfilling family life) have a chance meeting that will entail a life changing chain of events for them both, resulting in a complete flip of their destinies.
December 23, 2020
Hardy's treatment of fate in life are themes I always identify with. It is subtle twists of fate that cause characters to just miss that elusive thing called happiness. It is important to take any moment of happiness as often it seems blind luck when it happens!
December 2, 2019
What a lovely book. I thought that they will end up together. I was disappointed with the end. Lucy should have accepted Barnet's proposal. He was so unlucky!!! It was a nice read. I am going to read more Thomas Hardy books.
June 14, 2008
Classic. Never judge in a hasty fashion, you may not be extended the opportunity to change your opinion.
Read
March 7, 2012Damn I love Hardy
April 10, 2014
Classic Hardy!
December 28, 2014
Wonderful, as is Hardy always!
September 9, 2015
Deliciously sad and fateful Hardy at his best.
October 19, 2015
Perhaps the moral of this story is to grasp opportunities as they come, as the characters in Fellow-Townsmen leave it until it is too late to get what they want. Beautifully sad and bitter sweet.
January 1, 2017
A short, but masterfully executed work from one of Britain's best. Though the story doesn't stray far from the expected, it remains at all times emotionally enthralling and exceptionally engaging.
September 9, 2020
I don’t know how this gem of a novella by Thomas Hardy has escaped my attention for so long, but I was delighted upon its discovery! While it will not be held up as an example of Hardy’s strong plotting skills, Fellow-Townsmen is a remarkable example of his ability to create memorable and credible characters.
The story is about the unlikely friendship of two men living in a small town at the turn of the nineteenth century. I say “unlikely” because though they were equal contemporaries at one time when their friendship flourished, one of them, Barnet, has a rapid change of fortune and rises rapidly through inherited wealth and position in the community. Nevertheless, his friendship with struggling young lawyer Downe had solidified beyond jeopardy, and they remained good friends.
Their fates play out through the women in their lives, of which there are three. There are, of course, the wives Mrs. Barnet and Mrs. Downe, but there is also Lucy Savile, who had been a romantic interest of Mr. Barnet in earlier times. But family history and tradition not only kept Barnet and Lucy apart, but led to Barnet marrying unwisely.
And so the stage is set for this little drama to play out quite sadly. Hardy took liberties with the fickleness of fate to incorporate rapid and convenient instances of unrequited love, death, loss, broken marriages, grief, happiness regained, and missed second opportunities. But again, this little book is a showcase for Hardy’s talent at gripping storytelling with perfectly-drawn characters that will stay with readers long after the last page.
Fellow-Townsmen is the most satisfying one-sitting read I have had in a long time!
The story is about the unlikely friendship of two men living in a small town at the turn of the nineteenth century. I say “unlikely” because though they were equal contemporaries at one time when their friendship flourished, one of them, Barnet, has a rapid change of fortune and rises rapidly through inherited wealth and position in the community. Nevertheless, his friendship with struggling young lawyer Downe had solidified beyond jeopardy, and they remained good friends.
Their fates play out through the women in their lives, of which there are three. There are, of course, the wives Mrs. Barnet and Mrs. Downe, but there is also Lucy Savile, who had been a romantic interest of Mr. Barnet in earlier times. But family history and tradition not only kept Barnet and Lucy apart, but led to Barnet marrying unwisely.
And so the stage is set for this little drama to play out quite sadly. Hardy took liberties with the fickleness of fate to incorporate rapid and convenient instances of unrequited love, death, loss, broken marriages, grief, happiness regained, and missed second opportunities. But again, this little book is a showcase for Hardy’s talent at gripping storytelling with perfectly-drawn characters that will stay with readers long after the last page.
Fellow-Townsmen is the most satisfying one-sitting read I have had in a long time!
Read
July 3, 2026“‘Well, Lucy, I have kept myself a little in America, and a little in Australia, a little in India, a little at the Cape, and so on; I have not stayed in any place for a long time, as it seems to me, and yet more than twenty years have flown. But when people get to my age two years go like one!–Your second question, why did I go away so mysteriously, is surely not necessary. You guessed why, didn’t you?’.”
[Image: Book Cover]
I listened to Fellow-Townsmen by Thomas Hardy via the Sleepy Bookshelf podcast over 4 nights. As narrated by Elizabeth Grace, it made for a pleasant way to fall asleep.
[Image: The Sleepy Bookshelf logo]
Title: Fellow-Townsmen
Author(s): Thomas Hardy
Year: 1880
Genre: Fiction - Short Story
Page count: 88 pages
Date(s) read: 6/29/26 - 7/3/26
Book 128 in 2026
November 12, 2021
This is the story of two families, the Barnet's and the Downe's in a small village set over the course of many many years. Throughout the course of time an unfortunate disaster occurs which changes both families accordingly.
This is quite a sad story that gently unfolds over a prolonged period of time. It is a story of love, of feelings, sadness, loss, of "what if's" lost moments, moments missed and "should have's". The descriptiveness of scenes and settings in this book was exceptional and you felt that you were in the scene that Hardy was describing.
The story has a very sad ending to add to this story.
This is quite a sad story that gently unfolds over a prolonged period of time. It is a story of love, of feelings, sadness, loss, of "what if's" lost moments, moments missed and "should have's". The descriptiveness of scenes and settings in this book was exceptional and you felt that you were in the scene that Hardy was describing.
The story has a very sad ending to add to this story.
November 15, 2025
This is quintessential Thomas Hardy. There is an interplay of inhabitants of a small town. One missed opportunity after another shapes the lives of people. Hardy is forever showing how fate is as determinate a factor in human lives as the wills of the people involved. This story made me wish for a 5+ starts button.
All the stories in Wessex Tales are worth reading, but this one is particularly evocative.
All the stories in Wessex Tales are worth reading, but this one is particularly evocative.
June 30, 2026
This is my first book from Thomas Hardy and I completely enjoyed it. Its a love story but not overly sweet. The ending was a surprise that made me think about it for quite awhile. Although short, it is a book I will remember after others will be long forgotten.
July 13, 2017
Not a typical Hardy subject, but a typical excruciatin and inevitable conclusion. well worked, well written, and well worth reading.
July 29, 2020
What a wonderfully tragic story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
Peak Thomas Hardy
August 6, 2023
Hardy rarely disappoints. A novella that was part of his Essex Tales originally now in its own bound volume.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews