READ: 05.02.17 - 08.02.17

BOOK: The Mayor Of Casterbridge

AUTHOR: Thomas Hardy

GENRE: Classic

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Michael Henchard is a young man with nothing to lose so he sells his wife and child at a fair one drunken evening, regretting this decision almost immediately. Throughout the next years of his life, he rises up to become the Mayor of Casterbridge- a sleepy, farming town. But his past comes back to haunt him, and there seems to be inevitable destruction for this new life he has made himself.

REVIEW: This book was surprisingly more enjoyable than I had given it credit for at first. While the premise may not sound that enticing, this book is filled with drama in practically every chapter and there were events that occurred which I was not emotionally ready for.

There is a charm to the flawed character of Henchard in this book, and while he makes mistakes you can see his point of view and reasoning behind some. In fact all the characters are extremely likeable for different reasons, and I grew to care a lot about what was happening to the characters in the novel.

This is the first book by Hardy I have ever read, and I was spellbound by his writing. The description in this book is mind-numbingly beautiful, take phrases like 'aerial-grey eyes' and 'caught in the rays of the strongly coloured sun, which made transparencies of her eyelids and nostrils and set fire on her lips'. Some sections of writing even gave me chills!

It is a longer book, and took me some time to read (longer than usual). It's the type of book you have to pay attention to at all times, but it's truly worth it.

FINAL VERDICT: This fast paced, amazing book has gained a place in my heart and I truly adore it.

RATING: 9/10