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A review by monazaneefer
The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy
3.0
Why, Hardy, why!
I honestly thought that, after scrounging through his work (which have failed to impress me except FFTMC), I have finally finally found my second favourite Hardy novel. But that ending!
At first, when we were led to believe Grace was the one trapped in the man-trap, I thought khalas, she's dead and I'd have been more satisfied with that ending after Giles' death. But for her to go back to Fitzpiers is a baffling way to wrap it up, especially if one would assume this novel to be credible and well-developed (character and story-wise).
The Mill on the Floss was the last book that had utterly ruined an almost-favourite...so much so that it is one of the most frustrating novels I have read! The Woodlanders feels like a close second - although I'll admit my reading experience was without the intensity and ardour I had read the former with, mainly due to the little scenes we had of Giles, Giles + Grace.
I feel like I have little hope for the rest of Hardy's oeuvre. Because not only have some failed to grasp my interest (Desperate Remedies, Mayor of Casterbridge) but one has now managed to thoroughly disappoint me, feelings of which culminate to an irrevocable distrustful yet indifferent view of his works as a whole - melodramatic as it sounds.
Emotions aside, this book had wonderful descriptions and created Giles Winterborne. However, the characters overall very much lacked depth.
3 stars is for writing, Giles and Grace.
Edit: 2.30 hrs later and I am still mulling over this story - its evocative, immersive descriptions, of poor Giles - but when reading over my own review, rationale supersedes and I know in the future, I mostly likely won't change my mind about how the ending ruins this story.
I honestly thought that, after scrounging through his work (which have failed to impress me except FFTMC), I have finally finally found my second favourite Hardy novel. But that ending!
Spoiler
I actually had tears in my eyes when Giles died. I don't think I've ever cried reading before o.O I was blindsided by this turn in the story because for some reason I assumed this was a happy-ending book. But oh gosh, the events that succeed that were incomprehensible. The actions of Grace to accept Fitzpiers makes zero sense and then Marty, with her eulogy at Giles' grave to state that now Grace has forgotten him, washes over the entire story arc we had been reading of Giles and Grace! ugh. I'm honestly annoyed.At first, when we were led to believe Grace was the one trapped in the man-trap, I thought khalas, she's dead and I'd have been more satisfied with that ending after Giles' death. But for her to go back to Fitzpiers is a baffling way to wrap it up, especially if one would assume this novel to be credible and well-developed (character and story-wise).
The Mill on the Floss was the last book that had utterly ruined an almost-favourite...so much so that it is one of the most frustrating novels I have read! The Woodlanders feels like a close second - although I'll admit my reading experience was without the intensity and ardour I had read the former with, mainly due to the little scenes we had of Giles, Giles + Grace.
I feel like I have little hope for the rest of Hardy's oeuvre. Because not only have some failed to grasp my interest (Desperate Remedies, Mayor of Casterbridge) but one has now managed to thoroughly disappoint me, feelings of which culminate to an irrevocable distrustful yet indifferent view of his works as a whole - melodramatic as it sounds.
Emotions aside, this book had wonderful descriptions and created Giles Winterborne. However, the characters overall very much lacked depth.
3 stars is for writing, Giles and Grace.
Edit: 2.30 hrs later and I am still mulling over this story - its evocative, immersive descriptions, of poor Giles - but when reading over my own review, rationale supersedes and I know in the future, I mostly likely won't change my mind about how the ending ruins this story.