Tess of the D’Urbervilles discussion

I'm interested in reading the novels of Thomas Hardy. Which one do you recommend I should start with if I want to get a sense of what Hardy's novels are like?

(Topic was "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" only because you apparently must select a specific title, not just author's name.)

I find Thomas Hardy's writing style so compelling and beautiful. I suggest The Mayor of Casterbridge.

My first Hardy novel was The Mayor of Casterbridge, I think it was a good introduction to his writing style.

I find Thomas Hardy to be the very best cure there is for insomnia.

i read Tess first, and by far it's the best. yet to discover another equal.
didn't enjoy Native at all.

Tess worked well as a first for me too - probably still my favourite. Of the 6 I've read I'd probably order them like this (favourites that is - knowing what I know now I'd probably save Jude till last as its probably the best as well as the most bleak):

Tess
Jude
Return of the Native & Far from the Madding Crowd
Mayor of Casterbridge & Woodlanders.

Although I enjoyed them all and another time I might order the last 4 differently.

Do you have an update for us? Which Hardy novel did you decide to go with?

If you want a short introduction to Hardy, "Under the Greenwood Tree" really gives you a feel of how Hardy writes. And while short and on the surface a softer, sweeter Hardy, upon closer examination there is still a bit of that trademark dark tragedy going on (no spoilers but you'll see what I mean if you read it).

Like many here, my first Hardy novel was "The Mayor of Casterbridge," in high school. Classic Hardy, can't go wrong, great introduction, but it's not my favorite.

I reread Tess last year and while it is so good and so Hardy, it just kills me to read it -- so, SO tragic. So I wouldn't start with that one since it might just kill your desire to read any more Hardy, and that would be a true loss in your life. "The Woodlanders" is also very good and has a lot of depth that I appreciated but I wouldn't start with that one either.

Must-reads by Hardy are "The Return of the Native" and my absolute favorite "Far from the Madding Crowd." Both are 5 star reads! Enjoy!

Kelly-Louise wrote: "Do you have an update for us? Which Hardy novel did you decide to go with?

If you want a short introduction to Hardy, "Under the Greenwood Tree" really gives you a feel of how Hardy writes. And wh..."

I might not get to Hardy till later this year. But I might read "Under the Greenwood Tree" first.

Yun wrote: "i read Tess first, and by far it's the best. yet to discover another equal.
didn't enjoy Native at all."

I agree, Tess is the pinnacle of the Hardy novels. This is the most compelling heroine, and it is he heroines that make his novels!

I read Tess first and in fact it inspired me to write a two-book series putting four of Hardy's heroines into a modern setting (1990s Minneapolis!) I am looking for beta readers if anyone is interested.

I read "Far From the Madding Crowd" first and then read "Tess," but I would start with either "Madding Crowd" or "Tess." Both are good introductions to Hardy's writing style and themes.

Okay, that settles it. I'll probably read Tess of the D'Urbervilles next.

Oh, and I actually started with Under the Greenwood Tree first. I might have at the time mistakenly thought it was Hardy's first novel. Then Far From the Madding Crowd a year later. I have also read Hardy several short stories, and bought his collected poetry.

you will never get over Tess....

Well, since it's not going anywhere, I am giving equal consideration to sticking close to chronological order, and trying to read Desperate Remedies or A Pair of Blue Eyes.