Works of Thomas Hardy discussion

THE KINGS ARMS HOTEL



The Kings Arms Hotel, Dorchester, Dorset (as it is today)

This was Thomas Hardy's favourite hostelry, and it is mentioned in some of his novels. He wrote part of The Mayor of Casterbridge in one of the upstairs rooms. ("Casterbridge" is based on the town of Dorchester.)

So here is the great man, ready to sit back and listen to our chat. Here is where we can talk about pretty much everything, bar politics and religion please! How is life for you? What is happening in your world?

My wife and I hired a Hardy expert for a tour of his haunts in 2017. Wonderful ! In Dorchester there's a Hardy museum with a writing desk, manuscripts, a gorgeous illustrated version of Tess, etc. His statue is right up the street at the corner. The Maumbury Ring, a Roman arena, is an incredible sight, too. We also visited several houses he lived in, and toured two of them, including Max Gate. My prize souvenir, though, is a photo of me kneeling next to the grave where his heart was buried at Stinson Parish (see my Goodreads Photos). Thanks again, Jean, for re-opening these discussions !

What a lovely post, thanks Brian :) These are all very familiar to me as I'm lucky enough to spend about a third of the year near Dorchester (I'm English). In fact I should be there right now, but circumstances prevented me. Soon, hopefully!

The room with Thomas Hardy's desk in, which you refer to, is part of Dorchester County Museum. It has been specially preserved to be as authentic as possible. Another attraction in the museum for me is all the prehistoric finds by the fossil-hunter Mary Anning.

l'll start a thread for al the places Thomas Hardy lived, in a few days' time. I'm so glad you have seen them, and thank you for sharing this.

Jean & Brian, I am so happy to read your comments here. It’s years since my last visit to Dorset, so it’s wonderful to know that the museum still displays the writing desk & see your more recent photos of places that I remember.

I started reading Hardy’s books during holidays, inspired by the places we visited. My ideal “beach read” is one of those books, read on my favourite Dorset beach.

Trisha I do hope to get to Dorset by the end of the season. I like your idea of beach reading, though mine is usually on a patch of grass overlooking Hive Beach, just along from Chesil Beach :) I wonder what your favourite Dorset beach is?

We have another new poem to discuss today, so don't miss it! Hop on over to "Currently Reading" or to the "Poetry" folder for the 2 earlier ones.

I came across an interesting quote about Hardy today, but it did not attribute it to anyone. But it was accurate, in my opinion, and struck me as ringing quite true.

“One of the greatest novelists of the 19th century who went on to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.”

It's also a succinct way of describing his output. Thanks John :)

Our read of Tess of the D'Urbervilles starts TODAY!

Make sure you're in :) LINK HERE

Hi All,

Our "one chapter a day" plan for reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles seems to be going well, with lots of great comments. Thanks everyone :)

How about if we have a one day break between phases? There are 7 altogether, and as I said before, they aren't equal. This first one is 11 chapters, and the next one is the shortest at only 4! From then on they are about 9 chapters. But they do represent a break in the story, and each is a change in Tess's life, so it would be a good day to have a pause, and reflect.

What do you think? Too much? Too little?

It's not too late to join in by the way. We've only read 5 chapters so far :)

That´s a good idea Jean! I´m good with a one day break, or perhaps two. I like the one chapter a day read btw, as I pay more attention to details.

Thanks Michaela, so do I :)

I like that idea. It will give me a chance to catch up.

Thanks Kim!

I like the idea too. I'm keeping up pretty well at the moment (although I didn't read the discussion yesterday, I will have to do so today), but a bit of a breathing space to cross over to the next phase can be nice.

It sounds as though this might be the way to go :) I'm assuming those who aren't commenting, don't mind either way.

I went to the Kings Arms last November! It was the first place I went when I arrived in Dorchester. Lovely establishment with delicious hot toddys.

How lovely! Thanks for sharing this, Kelly :)

I often used to go to "Judges" tea rooms. It was a fascinating old building, with a twisted staircase and wooden floor upstairs that leaned! Although it was patterned after Lyons tea rooms in World War II, complete with waitresses and music of the time, the building predated that by a long way. It used to be called the "Bloody Assizes", and was where the notorious Judge Jeffreys (1645 – 1689), nicknamed "the hanging judge" used to preside and pronounce sentence.

Thanks for your thoughts. Since people seem happy with the idea, we will have a day free: a "catch-up or contemplation" day, at the end of each Phase.

This means that tomorrow (Sunday) we will read chapter 11, but Monday is a free day, and we start a new thread LINK HERE on Tuesday. We'll continue this reading pattern for the rest of the novel.

I'm really pleased so many of us are enjoying this way of reading. Thanks all :)

Hi All,

I'm afraid I need an extra day before starting Phase 4. The super covid jab has knocked me sideways a bit :( So we will carry on with chapter 25 on Thursday.

I know this will actually help a few people and hope it's not too frustrating for others!

Here is the new thread: LINK HERE

Bionic Jean wrote: "Hi All,

I'm afraid I need an extra day before starting Phase 4. The super covid jab has knocked me sideways a bit :( So we will carry on with chapter 25 on Thursday.

I know this will actually hel..."

Hope you feel better soon, Jean! Will be getting another booster soon but just got this year's flu shot.

It'll be fine, thanks :) The jab has to be in my thigh and last time I had a lump the size of an egg, but not this time, thankfully.

Some people have them both at once :(

Jean

Sorry to read you have been knocked “sideways.” Must confess I’ve never heard that expression before!

Take care, rest up. Drats to this Covid thing. Time to imply the bionic to Jean.

Feel better soon, Jean! I´m glad I´ll have more time to catch up. ;)

Thanks Peter and Michaela! Yes, it's all very tiresome :( I hope everyone can get the jabs they want and need.

The next thread is up and running now. If you are still on the 1st 3 phases, do come and share your thoughts at the end of the earlier threads though - I look forward to reading them :)

Hi all,

We have just one more day to go in our current thread (Phase the Fifth) but only 17 of us have made it there so far. So we will have a break of two days, not the usual one, before starting the new thread. I hope that will help :)

Hi all,

We've now resumed our weekly poem! I hope you all got the notification :)

Our first is unmissable - especially if you have been part of our group read of Tess of the D’Urbervilles, or know the story. Greg is one of our experts on poetry, so we have a strong start, and then 3 more great ones before the end of the year.

So LINK HERE for the thread for a poem about our heroine Tess, which is up and running :)

and thank you for being part of our revamped Thomas Hardy group, and making it such a great place to be 😊

To everyone, from Jean 🎄 ⛄ 🎅 ❄️

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you!!

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

And thank you, Jean!

Merry Christmas to all our Hardians from frigid Kansas City !

Merry Christmas, Hardians!
May the day be a special one and the New Year bring health and happiness to us all.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing a merry Christmas to all those who celebrate, and health and happiness in the coming year to all!

Bionic Jean wrote: "

and thank you for being part of our revamped Thomas Hardy group, and making it such a great place to be 😊

To everyone, from Jean 🎄 ⛄ 🎅 ❄️"

Thank you for the lovely e-card. I hope everyone had a great day. I've already started in on reading my Christmas gifts.

Merry Christmas to those celebrating, and thanks to Jean and all members for this interesting group!

Did anyone get books for Christmas?
I was given 'Fayne' by Anne Marie MacDonald (which I have started) and the latest from Louise Penny.

I got the newest book in the Waringham saga by Rebecca Gablé, Drachenbanner.

Merry Christmas everyone! And thank you, Jean, for resurrecting the Hardy group. Sorry to be late joining in, I'm afraid I've been busy making merry with my family the last couple days :-) with no time for checking in on GR.

I got Beartown byFredrik Backman for Christmas. The friend who gave it to me said its very good. I hope so

I was given three books - including one on Thomas Hardy, which I've filled in on GR: Hardy at Home: The People and Places of His Wessex by Desmond Hawkins. It's very small print though so Chris will have to read it me.

Also a newish book on Charles Dickens, Charles Dickens: Places and Objects of Interest by Paul Kendall. Not much new there, but it is very well illustrated.

And a Large Print edition of one of my favourites, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes YAY! (I need to add the edition when I can scan the cover.)

😂 Bridget - we are allowed to make merry sometimes! Enjoy the end of 2022, everyone!

That’s so true, Jean! Your new books sound great, especially the one about Hardy. I’m putting it on my TBR shelf.

I hope everyone celebrating had a lovely Christmas and wishing you a blessed 2023!

I received Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes: The Official Biography for a gift which I am looking forward to.

Not sure if anyone else saw this: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/28/wo...

Oh no! The Hardy tree has toppled? As Tracy Hayes said, it was on the cards, but I didn't know it had gone 😮

A photo showing a robin redbreast atop the fallen tree. A robin redbreast can be a symbol of a new beginning and re-birth. The local council have stated they "are looking at ways to commemorate this tree, and its story".

Lovely, thanks Jane. I think Thomas Hardy, with all his bird references, would have liked that idea. Plus the "Thomas Hardy Society" would be happy with a memorial.

And welcome! Do introduce yourself if you like, and join in with the weekly poems we are reading 😊

Carolien wrote: "I hope everyone celebrating had a lovely Christmas and wishing you a blessed 2023!

I received Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes: The Official Biography for a gift which I am l..."

What a loss. I know trees get old, but it's always sad to lose a beloved tree.

Here's another article (no subscription required):
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...

Let's hope 2023 is one to remember, for all the good things! 😊

Thanks Jean, to you and all members too! Fingers crossed for good things!

Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing us all a year of health and happiness.

Wishing a happy new year to all!