Two on a tower / Thomas Hardy ; edited with an introduction and notes by Suleiman M. Ahmad.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928, author.

Contributor:

Ahmad, Suleiman M., editor.

Series:

Oxford world's classics (Oxford University Press)

Oxford world's classics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomers--Fiction.

Astronomers.

Physical Description:

xxxv, 315 p. : map.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1998.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Published in 1882, his ninth novel, Two on a Tower is Hardy's most complete and daring treatment of the theme of love between characters of different classes and ages. Viviette, the married lady of the manor, is nine years older than Swithin St Cleve, the 20-year old Adonis-astronomer', a lad of striking beauty, scientific attainments, and cultivated bearing', the orphaned son of a curate who married the daughter of a family of farmers. The story of their love, both complex and remarkable, involves adultery and accidental polygamy. On publication some reviewers considered the novel to be immoral, and one suggested that the treatment of the Bishop of Melchester might be regarded as a studied and gratuitous insult aimed at the Church'. This sensational tale is informed throughout by the astronomical images and reflections which were preoccupying Hardy at the time of the book's composition. This is the first critical edition of Two on a Tower. Based on a study of the manuscript and Hardy's revised printed versions, it presents a text in which many variants make their appearance in print for the first time. -;Published in 1882, his ninth novel, Two on a Tower is Hardy's most complete and daring treatment of the theme of love between characters of different classes and ages. Viviette, the married lady of the manor, is nine years older than Swithin St Cleve, the 20-year old Adonis-astronomer', a lad of striking beauty, scientific attainments, and cultivated bearing', the orphaned son of a curate who married the daughter of a family of farmers. The story of their love, both complex and remarkable, involves adultery and accidental polygamy. On publication some reviewers considered the novel to be immoral, and one suggested that the treatment of the Bishop of Melchester might be regarded as a studied and gratuitous insult aimed at the Church'. This sensational tale is informed throughout by the astronomical images and reflections which were preoccupying Hardy at the time of the book's composition. This is the first critical edition of Two on a Tower. Based on a study of the manuscript and Hardy's revised printed versions, it presents a text in which many variants make their appearance in print for the first time. -

Notes:

"First published as a World's Classics paperback 1993. Reissued as an Oxford World's Classics paperback 1998."--t.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-283-16835-9

9786613168351

0-19-161117-4

0-19-161063-1