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Under the Greenwood Tree (Penguin Classics)

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CHOIR AND A PRETTY GIRL
Excellent characterizations!

Under the Greenwood Tree (Penguin Classics)
Thomas Hardy
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140435530

Customer Reviews:

CHOIR AND A PRETTY GIRL.......2005-02-17

Under the Greenwood Tree is Thomas Hardy's first Wessex novel, a world that rivals that of Balzac and Dickens, but instead of focusing on life in the city, Hardy instead focuses on the happenings of rural life. Dick Dewy doesn't have many prospects in life except his good looks. That is, until he meets the new female schoolteacher, Fancy Day, whose father is rumored to have a small fortune saved up for his beloved daughter when she gets married. That's not to say that's why Dick is attracted to her. It's love at first sight, for him, at least. There's other men interested in Fancy too, particularly, the prosperous Mr. Shiner, and even the local vicar, Mr. Maybold! It's up to Dick to convince Fancy that he is the man for her, while overcoming both her and her father's reservations that he's not quite in the same social class. Not to mention his own doubts of self-worth.

Under the Greenwood Tree is a pretty straightforward early work by Thomas Hardy, the greatest English novelist. I maybe found it a little too simple, and the characters did not seem to be fleshed out very well. I didn't care much for Fancy, a woman who seemed caught up in her own vanity and whose love seemed to waver back and forth according to who asked for her hand in marriage, even though this is human nature. The local dialogue, as written by Hardy was a little hard to get used to, but you don't notice it after a while. This novel was sunnier in disposition than a lot of Hardy novels and should be seen as a work to be read by his fans, while the casual reader would be better served by his more famous titles.

Other titles I would recommend by Hardy are Jude the Obscure, A Pair of Blue Eyes, Mayor of Casterbridge. Other titles with a similar pastoral settings are Harvest by Jean Giono, and Dreamers by Knut Hamsun.

Excellent characterizations!.......2000-12-13

Thomas Hardy's family had a long history as players of instrumental music in the local church, and here Hardy creates an entertaining novel involving a fictional church choir.

The characterizations and dialogue of his "Mellstock Quire" are detailed and interesting. The plot includes some very funny scenes--with the scene involving the visit to the vicar being among the best.

Book Description

This edition presents a critically established text based on comparisons of every revised version. Hardy placed this tale among his Novels of Character and Environment, a group which is held to include his most characteristic work.

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"Under the Greenwood Tree is Thomas Hardy's one and only rural idyll, a startling contrast to his other Wessex tales. In Mellstock, its surrounding farms and woodlands, the story interweaves the lingering courtship of Dick Dewy and sweet Fancy Day with the battle for survival of the old Mellstock String Choir - the last in the county - against the mechanical church organ of the new vicar, the Reverend Maybold. Under the Greenwood Tree appears to be pastoral romance at its most sunlit and good humoured, and has been called the 'most nearly flawless of Hardy's novels'. Yet, as Tim Dolin shows in his Introduction, there is a darker side to this paradise, seen particularly in the conflicts arising over anachronistic customs and rituals, and the ambiguities surrounding Fancy's forthcoming marriage. For Hardy, who drew out the associations with his own childhood in later revisions, the novel came to epitomize a past that had been forever lost to him and to England. This new Penguin Classics edition, based on the two-volume first edition of 1872, includes Appendices which reflect the unique textual history of the novel. Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Tim Dolin "

Customer Reviews:

The poetry, rituals, and cycles of life.......2007-03-30

In Under the Greenwood Tree, Thomas Hardy combines many of the elements that would define his career as a novelist--colorful common folk and their equally colorful language, an ironic narrator, an unflinching perspective on changing times, and the marvelous "Wessex" countryside. All that is missing is a plot, the lack of which contributes to the uncharacteristic happy ending.

Under the Greenwood Tree addresses two related matters: the fate of the Mellstock choir and of the charming new schoolmistress. Although the members of the choir acknowledge that their way is becoming an anachronism, they see that it is not only the inevitability of change that is pushing them aside. Both Farmer Shiner and the vicar show a strong interest in schoolmistress Fancy Day, who happens to have musical ability. By eliminating the choir and installing Miss Day at Farmer Shiner's behest, the vicar believes he will achieve two objectives: modernizing a parish that has no desire to be modernized and impressing a woman who does wish to be wooed.

At the same time, the sight of Fancy at the window with her hair undone in the wee hours of Christmas morning is enough to win the heart of young choir member Dick Dewy, who devotes his energy to attracting Fanny's notice and attention. While he is more educated than his father and the other members of the choir, he seems to represent honest labor, sincerity, and singlemindedness, while his rivals the vicar and the farmer, represent culture and money, respectively. Fancy is educated and cultured, while her father is revealed to have some money. The question is not about her choice but about whether it is the right one--a question that cannot be answered by the end of the novel.

Fancy's response to the vicar shows some ambivalence about her commitment. At times, the parish's long-standing couples reveal their own sense of fate about their spouses and marriages. Mrs. Penny tells the tranter's Christmas gathering, " . . . and lo and behold the coming man came: Penny asked me if I'd go snacks with him and afore I knew what I was about a'most, the thing was done." Later she tells Fancy to reassure herself with the thought, "'tis to be, and here goes!" She adds that "'Twill carry a body through it all from wedding to churching if you only let it out with spirit enough." When Dick's father says to his wife, "You be a well-enough woman, Ann," then, "Mrs. Dewy put her mouth in the form of a smile and put it back again without smiling." An impressive subtext underlies these couples' anecdotes, exchanges, and expressions, with the narrator's--and reader's--knowledge that they were once in the same position as Dick and Fancy.

In his introduction, Simon Gatrell writes that "the heart of the novel is the right way to do things." Eliminating the tradition of the choir to impress a woman may not be the right way, but the members concede the vicar's right to do so. Their attempt, not altogether unsuccessful, to negotiate the timing of the change both affirms his right and preserves their dignity. It also allows the vicar to "win" without forcing the choir to "lose." As Reuben Dewy says, "Everybody must be managed"--including both vicar and choir, and both Dick and Fancy.

Under the Greenwood Tree is organized by seasons ("Part the First--Winter," "Part the Second--Spring," and so on), which reflects the cycle of life that Hardy portrays. Dick is not the first man to fall in love with a pretty face. ("A very good pink face, as far as that do go. Still, only a face, when all is said and done," according to the choir's erudite Mr. Spinks.) Fanny is not the first woman to be tempted by appeals to her vanity and her social and cultural refinement. The elder Dewys, the Pennys, and the other mature couples seem to regard Dick and Fancy with a wryness born of their own distant courting experience and their ensuing lives together. Even Fancy, who wants to be stylish and modern, gives in and honors the old cycle when, after some resistance, she agrees to follow the traditions, saying, "Respectable people don't nowadays. . . . Still, since poor mother did, I will." No one knows what their future will be, but Mrs. Penny observes, "Well, `tis humps and hollers with the best of us, but still and for all that Dick and Fancy stand as fair a chance of having a bit of sunsheen as any married people in the land." Had Hardy written Under the Greenwood Tree in the same spirit as Tess of the D'Urbervilles or Jude the Obscure, perhaps Mrs. Penny's prediction would have proven tragically wrong.

Under the Greenwood Tree was written by a Thomas Hardy who had not reached maturity as a writer, but he reveals the insights and the verbal beauty that would mark his place among the great Victorian writers. Phrases such as, ". . . if Fancy's lips had been real cherries, probably Dick's would have appeared deeply stained," ". . . your mother's charms was more in the manner than the material," and "I've walked the path once in my life and know the country, neighbors; and Dick's a lost man!" remind the reader that Hardy's true love as a writer would be poetry, not prose. Like his other novels, Under the Greenwood Tree reveals the poetry, comic, ironic, or tragic, in everyday life.

A Bit of Fluff.......2006-07-10

This is very undeveloped Hardy--pleasant, well conceived, but predictable and not much more than an extended character sketch. If you're in the mood for something light and atmospheric, this is a good fit. If you want complexity, drama, the transcendental--all of Life's biggies--choose Tess, Return of the Native, or Far From the Madding Crowd.

Great writing, but cynical undertone.......2006-06-09

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm not a Hardy fan. Ever since I read his Tess of the D'Urbervilles (a book filled with endless bad fortune for the title character) I said I'd nvever read another. However, my book club did choose this book and I have dutifully read it.

First, the good. There is no doubt but that Hardy is a superb writer. He captures perfectly what life was like in the 1840s (when the actions in this book were supposed to take place) as well as depicting the characters so well that you feel almost as if you'd recognize them on the street. If that is all you're looking for, then read this book. However, if like me you also want to ENJOY the process of reading, I'd recommend against this book.

For the plot, Hardy uses his writing skills to paint a tale of courtship between a young man and woman. He captures well the angst and naivete involved. For a subplot, he writes about the church choir's angst at being replaced by one person who plays the organ.

The above being said, there is such an undercurrent of cynicism in this book. The two characters as he paints them are very shallow in their courtship and it is apparent that soon after their marriage reality will set in. No one in this book is happily married and it almost seems as if that cannot be. No, the picture Hardy paints is that there is a rush of infatuation resulting in marriage. After marriage, the infatuation quickly fades and one just has to make the best of it. Depressing. I much prefer Dickens books that portray good and bad marriages as is closer to the truth in real life.

One last opinion here. Reading about Hardy's life I can't help thinking that he unfortunately could not keep a good relationship with either of his wives (he married again after being widowed) and thus thinks it is the same for all.

"A dance to the music of time".......2003-06-08

The painter Poussin's famous title might stand as a rubric for this lovely book. Hardy views his cast of rustics through the prism of music: the old church stringed instruments choir is to be replaced with the spanking new organ. There is the added romantic interest of young musician Dave and the controversially female organist, Fancy Day.

This is a story of established customs breaking down through the interloper: a new vicar in town. Structurally divided into Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, it follows the natural rhythms of the earth and of society. Hardy revels in his descriptive powers.

Filled with nostalgia and that increasingly fashionable concept, "Englishness", and seasoned with wisdom and wit, this is truly fabulous. It's a mini-masterpice in a similar bag to, say, Mrs. Gaskell's "Cranford".

Hardy in embryo.......2002-07-12

"Under the Greenwood Tree" does not rank among Hardy's greatest novels, but it includes many moving moments and memorable characters. This first of the great series of Wessex novels introduces the reader to Hardy's beloved and changing countryside. The landscape and it's occupants are lovingly invoked, and the natural humour of the locals shines through.

In fact, the supporting characters are far more interesting than the hero and heroine. "Under the Greenwood Tree" is really a tale of young love, and although Hardy touchingly illustrates the yearning and naivete of his lovers, both characters remain at arm's length. This is particularly true of Fancy, the heroine, whose emotions do not become apparent until close to the tale's end.

Book Description

This unique book for young people combines Shakespeare's ringing poetry with full-page illustrations in full color throughout. Arranged in accordance with the seven stages of life, the book introduces the poetry for its own sake, without trying it to the complex story lines. It ranges from the elves and fairies of A Midsummer Night's Dream to the youthful heroism of Henry V and on through the involvements of middle age and the sadness and consolations of old age. The introduction is by A.L. Rouse, and there is a glossary.

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite books.......1999-11-02

My mom bought this one for me when I was about eight years old. I'm nineteen now and I still love it. :) The pictures are exquisite... awesome illustrations bring Shakespeare to life so much it will be familiar to even little kids years later. These pictures are really buried deep in my memory and I'm glad. :)

Great Book...my children love it!.......1999-05-04

I checked this book out of the library...hoping the beautiful pictures would captivate my 3 and 5yr old and they would then listen to Shakespeare. It WORKED!!! So I knew it was worth purchasing. The book contains only small selections from Shakespeare's work...but a great way to introduce your child to the beauty of his words. Wonderful Illustrations!!!

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Under the Greenwood Tree
Thomas Hardy
Manufacturer: Chatto and Windus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Under the Greenwood Tree
Thomas Hardy
Manufacturer: The Folio Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE OR THE MELSTOCK QUIRE: A RURAL PAINTING OF THE DUTCH SCHOOL.

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UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE OR THE MELSTOCK QUIRE: A RURAL PAINTING OF THE DUTCH SCHOOL.
Thomas. Hardy
Manufacturer: The Folio society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Under the Greenwood Tree
Thomas Hardy
Manufacturer: Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

A delghtful country tale that follows the course through the four seasons of one Wessex year. Counter pointed by the story of the rustic characters of a church choir and their carol singing expedition.

Under The Greenwood Tree Or The Mellstock Quire

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Under The Greenwood Tree Or The Mellstock Quire
Thomas Hardy
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

William Dewy--otherwise grandfather William--was now about seventy; yet an ardent vitality still preserved a warm and roughened bloom upon his face, which reminded gardeners of the sunny side of a ripe ribstone-pippin; though a narrow strip of forehead, that was protected from the weather by lying above the line of his hat-brim, seemed to belong to some town man, so gentlemanly was its whiteness.

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Under The Greenwood Tree: William Shakespeare

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Under The Greenwood Tree: William Shakespeare
Reynolds
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JFC2DY

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