His First Novel
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This is Thomas Hardy's first published novel. Don't think that this is a pastoral novel, because it isn't, it's usually considered to be a sensation novel. Although it has elements of the sensation genre in it it also has aspects of other genres as well, making it hard to fit neatly into one niche. As usual Hardy gives us fully rounded characters that we can feel for and understand. This book is probably more psychological than most of his novels and gives us a nice pot boiler of a story. Some of the actions of the protagonists in this book don't always seem to make sense, but as you read on everything falls into place.
When this book was first published it was critcised and courted controversy, something which Hardy would see time and again throughout his novel wrting years, but as always with Hardy his novels are pure perfection. He breaks through the conventions of nineteenth century novel writing to give us a more realistic story, and although in this book the 'baddies' get their come-uppance and the 'goodies' get a happy ending as was traditional, we get something more. Our baddie in this book isn't treated as someone purely evil but is treated sympathetically, reminding us that not everything is black and white, but usually varying shades of grey.
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The 1860s equivalent of a P.D. James novel
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The first Hardy I have read - and sadly, I am disappointed. I enjoyed the plot, which did twist and turn (but only in the last third of the novel) and was very engaging. In addition, I was engrossed in the book after the wedding of Cytherea to Manston. The following chapters were the most frantic and very fast-paced. The bad points were that the characters were insufficiently explored or described by Hardy (unlike a typical C19th Russian Lit. novel of a similar ilk). For example, I was utterly unconvinced of the love between Cytherea and Edward Springrove. In addition, there was no psychological explanation of Manston's condition; no clue as to why he was capable of murder. The characters could have shined more brightly, had Hardy bothered to place more emphasis on them rather than the geography of the novel (which has some scenes in London). The Editors placed too much emphasis on the sexual undertones of the novel which I thought were very minimal indeed. The so-called lesbian scene is nothing of the sort and to a C21st audience a 'lesbian scene' has a very different meaning. Clearly there were some sexual references, but they did not add to the experience (unlike Tolstoy's 'Kreutzer Sonata'). On the strength of this, I shall read another novel by Hardy, but with a lowered expectation. If one is expecting revelations on the human condition, search elsewehere. It is however an undemanding read, and will bring short-lived pleasure - perfect for a train journey to the West country. Gus Symons
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Superbly written Victorian melodrama. Gripping.
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'Desperate Remedies' was Hardy's first published novel. The story of an orphaned brother and sister (Tom and Cytherea), their friend Edward and their relationships to an aristocratic lady (Miss Aldcliffe) and her steward (Manston). The story begins like many of Hardy's novels with a gentle development of the relationship between Cytherea, Tom and Edward. One would be forgiven for thinking that the whole book will progress in this way. However, don't be fooled and persevere because very quickly it develops into a Victorian pot boiler with fires, murder, conspiracy and much sneaking about in the middle of the night. The storey is riveting and if you haven't enjoyed Hardy in the past please try this book as it is very different from his later work. Although the book is commercial, his genius shines through as does his ability to communicate the complex relationships between classes and sexes in Victorian society. On the down side, Hardys patronising misogynism that is so evident in all his books shines through as does the transparent way in which he uses the male characters to represent what he considers to be all the finer characteristics of his own personality. This is a small price to pay for what is a great book and which will appeal at a range of levels from Victorian melodrama through to sophisticated description of Victorian mores and society. If that's not enough watch out for the lesbian scene which Hardy was able to get past the censors because they didn't have a clue what he was talking about!
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