Book 2

This forum is for the discussion of The Return of the Native, Book 2.

Book 2:

Clym appears, and his held on a pedestal by his family. Eustacia "loves" him, without knowing anything of him. We see many of the characters try to manipulate each other to reach thier desired ends. Eustacia takes it as far as dressing as a boy to gain entrance to a party.

I thought it was sad, and obviously the set up for a miserable marriage, that Wildeve and Thomasin married to save face and not be alone, when neither loved the other and both felt that they were the second choice.

Well, the reactions to marriages of that time period are completely normal. Marriage for love is so not in the cards for this book.

I'm glad that we found out who the real "native" is.

As the description slows down, I can manage the reading better.

I would like to see a modern writer take one of these wordy novels and make it real interesting in modern day.

I agree with Marti. Once the wordiness lessened, i enjoyed he story more. We have become spoiled in the 'get to the point' stle of writing we so enjoy today. Today the authors first sentence is a 'grab you', so you will continue to read (or, if looking at it in a book store, buy it!
anyway, clim arrives, but we already know that Eustacia is planning to hook up with him even if he is a three legged dwarf who lisps! She just want out of the heath. she has a very designing nature and hardy's description of her half lidded eyes and large lower lid make me think of a snake.
I feel terrible that Tamsin feels she must marry Wildeve to protect her good name, and can predict it will be a disasterous relationship.