61 pages • 2 hours read
Thomas HardyThe Mayor of Casterbridge
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1886A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy follows Michael Henchard, a hay trusser who drunkenly auctions off his wife and daughter, then becomes a successful mayor in Casterbridge, grappling with his past actions and relationships as they resurface, leading to personal and social turmoil amid efforts to retain his status and integrity. The book features themes of alcoholism and domestic conflict.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge garners praise for its complex characterization and vivid depiction of rural life, illustrating human fallibility and resilience. Critics appreciate its rich, intricate narrative but note a somber tone and occasional lengthy descriptions. Overall, Hardy's mastery in weaving tragedy and redemption is highlighted, though some find it overly melodramatic.
Who Should Read The Mayor of Casterbridge?
Readers who enjoy intricate character studies and moral dilemmas in Victorian settings will find The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy captivating. This novel appeals to fans of George Eliot's Middlemarch and Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, with its rich narrative and exploration of fate, tragedy, and redemption.
393
Novel • Fiction
Casterbridge, England • 19th century
1886
Adult
18+ years
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