Thomas Hardy: Selected Writings

This volume in the 21st Century Oxford Authors series presents Thomas Hardy's poetry in its original form, revealing the range and variety of his output. It includes extensive annotation, locating his work in its cultural context and addressing present-day concerns such as gender, the global and local, and humanity's place within the natural world. It also includes an Introduction to his life and works and a Chronology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 608 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This volume in the 21st Century Oxford Authors series presents students with an authoritative and comprehensive selection of Thomas Hardy's work, marking the first such offering in nearly thirty years. The edition offers a fresh perspective on Hardy's poetry by presenting the original texts of his original volumes, as they first appeared, rather than the revised versions he later produced for his Collected Poems. This approach unveils the breadth and diversity of his output, showcasing qualities that he often concealed. Among his notable sequences, the Poems of 1912–13 appears in a radically different form, offering a unique insight into his artistic evolution. Additionally, selections from his epic drama, The Dynasts, are included within the chronological sequence of his poetry, highlighting the significance of this neglected work. Notebook and journal entries, where Hardy articulates his understanding of poetry and the role of the poet, are also included, providing a deeper understanding of his creative process.

Uniquely generous in its content, this edition boasts an extensive annotation that contextualizes Hardy's work within its cultural milieu and interprets it in the light of critical reception. The notes not only direct attention to Hardy's regional heritage but also showcase his response to the issues and debates of his day, encompassing topics such as war, patriotism, animal welfare, marriage, and religion. Furthermore, the annotation explores how Hardy's work continues to resonate with contemporary readers, addressing modern concerns such as gender, including the gender(s) of the poetic voice, the global versus the local, and humanity's place within the natural world.

In addition to the annotated text, the edition includes an Introduction to the life and works of Hardy, providing a valuable foundation for students and scholars alike. A Chronology further enhances the reader's understanding of Hardy's career and the historical context in which he wrote.

Overall, this edition of Thomas Hardy's work is a valuable resource for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of literature, offering a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the renowned author's literary legacy.

Weight: 848g
Dimension: 147 x 224 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198723370