Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
a very solid romance with an effective & thought provoking ending from Hardy
I loved Dick Dewy, especially in the beginning when he first noticed Fancy. He pretty much reminded me of a delusional girl, the way he thought her leftover crumbs and drink were “romantic”. However I didn’t care for Fancy herself, actually, I was pretty disappointed in her character.
The book had quite a few funny bits and scenes, things that I’d circle or highlight because I loved them. The descriptions were pretty too when it came to the landscapes and houses. I’m just very turned off by Fancy’s lack of- I don’t know- likeability?
The book had quite a few funny bits and scenes, things that I’d circle or highlight because I loved them. The descriptions were pretty too when it came to the landscapes and houses. I’m just very turned off by Fancy’s lack of- I don’t know- likeability?
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A tale of two halves, the first of which is chock-full of dialectical humor and the meager reaping of the artisan. The romance which dominates the second half mirrors the transition and tension from tradition to modernity rather redundantly.
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I liked the descriptions of nature but otherwise I couldn't say anything else was that enjoyable. Boring love story, not that interested in the characters, and the dialect makes it a bit hard to get into. I have another Hardy to read but I might skip that one given how much I was bored through this.
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I like classic books, nonfiction, and rereads for audiobooks better than contemporary books, by and large. The narrator here did a fantastic job, though I did open up a copy of the book to scan over names and dialogue for a sense of what was interpretation in the voices and pronunciations. This makes so much sense as an early Hardy work: light-hearted and quite a bit more sentimental towards the simple lives of West Country folk. Fancy Day feels like a simpler precursor to Bathsheba Everdene. Hardy's humour in places is very Austenian, observations of manners and foibles put just so, and those were the bits that always made me laugh. I do love the subheading, "A Rural Painting of the Dutch School", as that illuminates just what Hardy is doing. He's giving us a picture of a small bit of life and place and people, of a precise time and mood. The painting includes its own antecedents and dramas, the story continues before and after the moment, but here it is presented within its frame to be observed and enjoyed.
Actual rating 3.75
This was essentially fluff and it was a good time but certainly not my favorite TH book. I liked the character and the plot was fast moving so it did hold my attention but it lacked any sort of emotional punch. Light, quick, fluffy. Not life changing but certainly a fun book!
This was essentially fluff and it was a good time but certainly not my favorite TH book. I liked the character and the plot was fast moving so it did hold my attention but it lacked any sort of emotional punch. Light, quick, fluffy. Not life changing but certainly a fun book!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes