Subtly chronicling the cruel twists and turns of human fate, Fellow-Townsmen exemplifies Hardy’s enduring perfection of his literary craft—and the artistic brilliance of his passionate portrayal of the trials of the human heart. Barnet and Downe are old and good friends in the Wessex town of Port Bredy—yet fate has treated them differently. Barnet, a prosperous man, has been unlucky in love and now lives with the consequences of a judicious but loveless marriage. Downe, a poor solicitor, is radiantly happy, with a doting wife and adoring children. A chance meeting one night causes them to reflect on their disparate lots in life and sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever. Both a meticulous record of English provincial customs and a melancholic reflection on the brevity of human happiness, this short work displays all the artistry of Hardy’s major fiction. Thomas Hardy is one of Britain’s greatest authors; among his most famous works are Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure.
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'Hardy's subtle exploration of vision is remarkable... As in a Rembrandt painting, pools of light linger among shadows and finally elicit tenderness and warmth' - TLS
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Hesperus Press, as suggested by their Latin motto, Et remotissima prope, is dedicated to bringing near what is far—far both in space and time. Works by illustrious authors, often unjustly neglected or simply little known in the English–speaking world, are made accessible through a completely fresh editorial approach and new translations. Through these short classic works, which feature forewords by leading contemporary authors, the modern reader will be introduced to the greatest writers of Europe and America. An elegantly designed series of genuine rediscoveries.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, but why not buy a collection?,
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This review is from: Fellow-Townsmen (Hesperus Classics) (Paperback)
"Fellow-Townsmen" is probably Hardy's short masterpiece, great enough to purchase alone. Though only fifty pages, it has the characterization, plot complexity, and thematic depth of most novels and reads much like one. Fans will indeed see several similarities to various Hardy novels, as this vein is so rich he drew on it more than once. Remarkably for such a short work, the story has some of his most memorable characters and scenes. There is a tone of intense drama throughout, and this is one of Hardy's most emotional works - which truly says much. More importantly and notably, Hardy's concern with fate and coincidence so melodramatically ironic that it seems malevolent is at full strength. The story abounds with missed opportunities and regrets, showing the dark sides of love and the human condition. The grand, sweeping feel of immense tragedy that pervades his greatest novels is here, and the town's vivid portrayal is on par with better-known settings. Simply put, the work's greatness is such that Hardy would have to be called a great writer of short stories even if this were his only one.
However, this story is widely anthologized -- e.g., in Wessex Tales --, and there is no reason to buy this edition unless one truly values the Foreword. The story should certainly be read, but it would be hard to justify buying it in this form.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Among The Finest Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy,
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This review is from: Fellow-Townsmen (Hesperus Classics) (Paperback)
Thomas Hardy is most remembered for his novels, especially Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), and Tess of the D'Ubervilles (1891), all stories about characters struggling with circumstances, passions, and fate. Although lesser known today for his short stories, some are quite exceptional such as Fellow-Townsmen (1880). This literate tale has become recently available in a quality soft cover edition by Hesperus Press (2003).
In her short introduction the editor Emma Tennant says that Thomas Hardy in his novels, short stories, and poems often dwelled obsessively on the role that fate plays in the misfortunes of life. Fellow-Townsmen is no exception; a missed opportunity is followed by lifelong unhappiness. Years earlier Mr. Barnet, the son of a wealthy merchant, failed to marry Lucy Savile, a woman of lesser means. Hardy does not fully explain this past situation, but through some miscommunication the two lover's drifted apart, and Barnet makes a more suitable, more socially appropriate marriage, but one unfortunately without passion and love. Years later in a chance encounter, Barnet exclaims: "I suppose it was destiny - accident - I don't know what, that separated us, dear Lucy. Anyhow you were the woman I ought to have made my wife - and I let you slip, like the foolish man I was!" Be that as it may, as more years pass more misunderstandings and lost opportunities continue to plague Barnet and Lucy. Hardy seems to argue that those that fail to seize the day must forever struggle against an implacable fate. Barnet may have once behaved foolishly, but Lucy is not without fault. Years ago she took no action to resolve an uncertain situation; she rationalizes today that a woman lesser social status should not have presumed to have queried why Barnet had shown less interest. This passiveness on her part will have future ramifications. For the reader new to Thomas Hardy, or perhaps new to his short stories, Fellow-Townsmen is almost mandatory reading. For those already familiar with the writings and poetry of Thomas Hardy, I highly recommend Fellow-Townsmen; this lengthy, 75-page short story is really quite exceptional, and in my view is among the best short stories by Thomas Hardy.
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