Opis
The expression "life's little ironies" has become well-known, originating from Hardy as the designation of his third collection of short stories. These narratives and vignettes, while echoing the key elements and motifs found in his major novels, stand out as significant works on their own. Connected by Hardy's characteristic irony, vivid imagery, and memorable characters, the stories explore both the tragic and the comical, the philosophical and the fantastical. This anthology showcases the entire spectrum of Hardy's literary skills, ranging from imaginative fantasy to stark realism, as well as a heartfelt portrayal of a bygone rural existence and the constraints of late-19th-century bourgeois existence.