Customer Reviews

The Trumpet-Major

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read most of Thomas Hardy's novels--he is, along with Wilkie Collins, my favorite novelist--and this is the first one by which I have been disappointed. Still, a disappointing book by Hardy is worth ten by nearly anyone else, so let me explain. The ending felt quite out of the blue and abrupt compared to the events leading up to it, yet in retrospect, it makes more and more sense.

The ending aside--where the oddness is confined to just the last two pages--this is a superb character study of five disparate main characters and a handful of minor characters. Hardy is a master at imbuing each character with not only distinct personalities, but with the inconsistencies and flaws that make them leap, whole and warm-blooded, from the page. His characters are never stock people; they always seem as though they are people you could (or do) actually know in your own life.

The primary character is Anne Garland, a lovely country village girl who is much sought after by three different local men. These include Festus Derriman, a ne'er-do-well with a temper and a lust for his uncle's money; John Loveday, a soldier and the trumpet-major of the novel's title, who is the kindest, most patient character I believe I have ever seen in a novel; and John's younger brother Bob, who is a boisterous sailor with good intentions but a short attention span when it comes to the ladies. The machinations by which these three seek to catch Anne's eye is endlessly inventive and endlessly interesting for the reader, and her varied reactions to their attentions is a marvel of observed detail and the inconsistency of human nature. By turns hot and cold towards each of the men, Anne never seems shallow or thoughtless--merely human. There is also another sharply etched female character, the actress Matilda Johnson, who appears only a couple of times, but who is the linchpin of much important action.

As always, Hardy likes to insert subtle humor into even the most serious of situations. In detailing the village's concern about Napoleon (who is referred to frequently in the book by the derisive nickname "Boney"), Hardy writes:

Widow Garland's thoughts were those of the period. "Can it be the French?" she said, arranging herself for the extremest form of consternation. "Can that arch-enemy of mankind have landed at last?" It should be stated that at this time there were two arch-enemies of mankind, Satan as usual, and Buonaparte, who had sprung up and eclipsed his elder rival altogether. Mrs Garland alluded of couse to the junior gentleman.

You will be surprised, as I was, by the man with whom Anne Garland ends up. Yet now, just a day or two after having finished the novel and having been almost affronted by the abruptness and seeming insuitability of the ending, my position has softened and I can see that Hardy was actually quite true to the characters, their motivations, and their choices--however inconsistent they may at first have seemed to the reader. This is not by any means a great Thomas Hardy novel, but an average novel by Thomas Hardy is still a marvel of construction, of character, and of plot.

This novel tells of the many turns of Anne Garland's heart takes as she decides upon one of three possible suitors. Each turn her heart takes affects the other suitors in ways which are humorous/clever, but the underlying theme is the pathos you feel for the unfavored ones, primarily John Loveday and his ultimate resolution. Overall not bad.

Now I know this is not one of better known Thomas Hardy Books. And I know it probably isn't all that well thought of by critics who like the doom of many of his other books (that doesn't sound good, but if you get the chance read them anyway!) I like this because it is nice and simple, about a gil called Anne, who is in love with someone called Robert, who is continously unfaithful to her. And of course you have John, Robert's brother, who is in love with Anne. You sympathise so much with the characters. And, in this book, there is a happy/sad ending, but I would spoil it if I said any more. Without reading this, you might feel that Anne is a bit stupid to stand by her man, but just go and read it and you'll understand better. Perhaps this book isn't a great literary masterpiece like other works, but it is fairly easy to read, which is exactly what I advise you to do!

After having read several Hardy novels in a row recently (I read and loved Tess when I was younger), I am very taken with two of his so-called "minor" novels -- Under the Greenwood Tree, which is charming, and The Trumpet-Major, which is charming -- AND was devastating to me in a way the more overtly tragic Return of the Native was not. Perhaps because the characters in this book are so much more likable and because of the wonderful way that Hardy mixes up genres in The Trumpet-Major -- tragedy, farce, historical novel -- in such a way that the outcome catches the reader off balance. Yet, therein lies the novel's greatness. I was emotionally overwhelmed by its poignancy; it left me with a deep physical ache. And yet it's a highly enjoyable read -- the novel doesn't pummel one with its grimness, like say, Jude the Obscure. A must-read as far as I'm concerned.

I bought this book used since I was having trouble a copy of this book. It is a shame since this is an enjoyable book which takes place in England on the midst of an Attack by Napoleon.

The book is written as a historical fiction type. The characters are just great especially when they clamor up to catch King George's carriage passing through the village and people are saying "King Jarge". Even though this book is a historical approach, Hardy is true to his style of presenting real life events.

Even though the beginning of the book has a slow introduction, the book takes off and becomes really enjoyable. If you can find this book, a used copy is not very much. I bought the Penguin Classics used version for a few bucks.

Warning, it's a sad ending. Return of the Native, which I was read to believe a sad ending, wasn't really as much so as departing this book, though not nearly as much so as Tess of the d'Urbervilles, (brilliant book BTW). I cannot say more, other than most of the characters, (especially Anne,) lived happily ever after. However, if you're looking for non-depressing Hardy books, this probably won't be your cup of tea.

As for the story, a small part seemed a little underdeveloped -- the story between Festus and the actress girl, (who's name escapes me at the moment,) towards the ending of the book. For a Hardy book it's off and on; slow build, intricate and multi-layered in the middle, slightly abrupt ending. For modern books, this is Hardy! none really come close IMO, and in this is the same style he owns that takes you out of this world and puts you right into the book. 6.7/10.

She was walking through the library carrying the university's entire Hardy collection. I already had a nasty schoolboy crush on her, but after that day I was jello. And perhaps it began on the afternoon she lectured on Thom. Hardy, describing him as a poet who sacrificed his art to survive as a novelist. Yet, his novels were not pot-boilers, and Hardy eventually returned to his true muse. I shouldn't write this - let Linda explain it to you.