50 Best Classic Books of All Time
Have you missed reading a great book? Here are 50 classic books in different genres and styles that everyone should read in their lifetime.
The Return of the Native
Thomas Hardy’s sixth published novel is <anchor>The Return of the Native</anchor>. “This is the quality Hardy shares with the great writers… this setting behind the small action the terrific action of unfathomed nature,” wrote D. H. Lawrence about this novel.
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The Return of the Native (Modern Library Classics): Hardy, Thomas, Theroux, Alexander: 9780375757181: Amazon.com: Books

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# The Return of the Native (Modern Library Classics)  Paperback – February 13, 2001

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One of Thomas Hardy's most powerful works, The Return of the Native centers famously on Egdon Heath, the wild, haunted Wessex moor that D. H. Lawrence called "the real stuff of tragedy." The heath's changing face mirrors the fortunes of the farmers, inn-keepers, sons, mothers, and lovers who populate the novel. The "native" is Clym Yeobright, who comes home from a cosmopolitan life in Paris. He; his cousin Thomasin; her fiancé, Damon Wildeve; and the willful Eustacia Vye are the protagonists in a tale of doomed love, passion, alienation, and melancholy as Hardy brilliantly explores that theme so familiar throughout his fiction: the diabolical role of chance in determining the course of a life.

As Alexander Theroux asserts in his Introduction, Hardy was "committed to the deep expression of [nature's] ironic chaos and strange apathy, even hostility, toward man."

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1. Print length

448 pages

2. Language

English

3. Publisher

Modern Library

4. Publication date

February 13, 2001

5. Dimensions

5.17 x 0.95 x 8 inches

6. ISBN-10

037575718X

7. ISBN-13

978-0375757181

8. Lexile measure

HL1040L

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## Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars

4.3 out of 5

223 global ratings

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

### Customers say

Customers find the book phenomenal, well-written, and one of Hardy's best. Opinions are mixed on the plot, with some finding it great and great for a BBC serialized drama, while others say it seems contrived.

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ReadabilityPlot

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book phenomenal, well-written, and one of Hardy's best. They also say it's one of English Literature's true joys.

" Phenomenal read. Beautiful depiction of nature and the story moves along nicely." Read more

"... One of Hardy's very best, and therefore one of English Literature's true joys." Read more

"The book has been reviewed extensively. It is a modern classic and should be read. You will enjoy it...." Read more

" A great book. Not much joy here. Read it 50 years ago and recently, plus about 5 others of his." Read more

6 customers mention "Plot"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot. Some mention the story is great, while others say it seems contrived.

"Phenomenal read. Beautiful depiction of nature and the story moves along nicely." Read more

"...I give it 4 stars instead of 5 stars because some of the plot seemed a bit contrived. I plan to read more Hardy." Read more

" Interesting and intricate plot. This would make a great BBC serialized drama...." Read more

"...Excellent imagery of place, but the plot verges on the unbelievable...." Read more

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5.0 out of 5 stars

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### Top reviews from the United States

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Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2021

Phenomenal read. Beautiful depiction of nature and the story moves along nicely.

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2014

Hardy's descriptive ability is outstanding, but sometimes his classical allusions are a bit heavy and cumbersome to the movement of the tale. The characters are arresting and winsome though a bit excessive in their idiosyncracies. The chief problem is that the most important and most critical of the events in their lives are subject to mere happenstance, and while this is not unrealistic to most lives, it happens a bit too often to the point of artificiality. The description of the Wessex moor and its heavy influence on the characters is quite vivid.

3 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2017

Hardy's eternal love of the ancient rhythms of human life - the love and sadness, against the deep, steady heartbeat of the primeval heath. One of Hardy's very best, and therefore one of English Literature's true joys.

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2013

This the complex story of love. Love lost, love found, true love, false love and romatized love. The main characters all intertwine as the seek to sort out thier loves for each other. In the end the true lovers come together and the romantic fall away. As with all thomas hardy novels death is the final victor in the end. complex enough to be interesting all the way through.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2015

One of my most favorite books in the world! I've read it several times and love it. Not an easy read and some might want to keep a dictionary handy. This book is complicated reading but it's worth it.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2013

Ordered this classic for a library discussion group in July.

I read it many years ago and cannot locate my copy, so ordering through Amazon

was a definite good choice. Can't beat Hardy for delightful literary works!

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2014

This book transported me to another time--another world. The use of language is amazing. Those looking for a plot with today's adventure/thriller themes probably won't like this type of story. But I found that immersing myself in this long-ago setting became a welcome break from my relatively hectic life. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 stars because some of the plot seemed a bit contrived. I plan to read more Hardy.

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2011

I never thought I would get a classic for nothing. It was sent to my Kindle with one click. Now I can follow the book while listening to my audiobook read by the divine Alan Rickman..Yum!!

### Top reviews from other countries



Aditi Pankaj

_5.0 out of 5 stars_Too good

Reviewed in India on November 28, 2021

Quality is good, the text is original.



Nanshirl

_5.0 out of 5 stars_Back to thomas Hardy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2012

Thomas Hardy was a favourite author of mine in my younger days and re-reading The Return of the Native reminded me why. The descriptions of the Dorset countryside are wonderful and bring the heath to life. Each character is described at some stage of the story and each was an individual. The main characters, Eustacia Vye, Clym Yoebright, his cousin Thomasin and his mother, Diggory Venn and Wildeve are all believeable people and even the smaller characters such as Grandfather Cantle and Charlie hold the attention. i shall read this book again sometime taking it slowly to absorb it fully.



Maha Maheema

_4.0 out of 5 stars_Great paper quality!!

Reviewed in India on August 12, 2018

The Product is up to my expectations.



helen.remfan

_5.0 out of 5 stars_Nostalgia

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2011

Did this for A level more years ago than I care to remember. I love Hardy and his books and had previously read them all. It made sense to re-order them for my newly acquired Kindle.

Wonderful.



Deepukumar

_3.0 out of 5 stars_Good

Reviewed in India on September 10, 2018

Good novel



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