The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

The Mayor of Casterbridge

Thomas Hardy with Martin Seymour-Smith

438 pages • first pub 1886 (editions)

fiction classics emotional reflective sad medium-paced
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This book is ideal for readers who are drawn to complex, flawed protagonists and emotionally charged explorations of redemption and self-destruction set against richly detailed historical backdrops.

Description

One of Hardy's most powerful novels, "The Mayor of Casterbridge" opens with a shocking and haunting scene: In a drunken rage, Michael Henchard sells his wife and daughter to a visiting sailor at a local fair. When they return to Casterbridge some ...

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Community Reviews

3.7
based on 4,524 reviews

Moods

sad: 66%

reflective: 63%

emotional: 58%

dark: 43%

challenging: 22%

tense: 19%

mysterious: 16%

adventurous: 9%

funny: 7%

hopeful: 3%

relaxing: 2%

informative: 1%

Pace

6% of readers chose fast
51% of readers chose medium
42% of readers chose slow
fast
medium
slow

Plot or character driven?

7% of readers chose Plot
38% of readers chose A mix
52% of readers chose Character
Plot
A mix
Character

Strong character development?

67% of readers chose Yes
22% of readers chose Complicated
10% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Loveable characters?

17% of readers chose Yes
52% of readers chose Complicated
29% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Diverse cast of characters?

13% of readers chose Yes
5% of readers chose Complicated
76% of readers chose No
4% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus?

99% of readers chose Yes
Yes

Content Warnings

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