Sign-In
Cart
A Laodicean
Paperback
RomanceClassic FictionLiterary Fiction
ISBN13: 9781025366135
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 510
Weight: 1.56
Height: 1.03 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
A Laodicean is a compelling novel by Thomas Hardy that explores the collision between ancient traditions and the burgeoning forces of modernity. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Stancy Castle, the story follows George Somerset, a young and ambitious architect who finds himself captivated by both the ruins he is hired to restore and the castle's new mistress, Paula Power. As a Laodicean-one who is lukewarm or indifferent-Paula represents the transition between the old aristocracy and the new industrial age, grappling with her identity as she navigates the complexities of her inheritance and her heart.
The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of romantic intrigue and technological progress, as Somerset competes for Paula's affections against the charming but manipulative Captain De Stancy. Hardy masterfully utilizes architectural metaphors to mirror the internal conflicts of his characters, highlighting the tension between the romanticized past and the pragmatic future. Through its exploration of modern innovations such as telegrams, railways, and photography, the novel offers a unique glimpse into the changing landscape of 19th-century England.
Rich in atmosphere and psychological depth, A Laodicean remains a significant work in Hardy's oeuvre, showcasing his ability to blend social commentary with a poignant love story. This novel is a must-read for fans of Victorian literature and those interested in the cultural shifts of the industrial era.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
11 different editions
Also available
Also from
Hardy, Thomas
The Night Before Christmas and Other Poems: Gilded Pocket Edition
Brontë, Emily
Moore, Clement Clarke
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Tess of the d'Urbervilles (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
The Mayor of Casterbridge (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Tess of the d'Urbervilles (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
The Return of the Native (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Far from the Madding Crowd (British Classics Series): Historical Romance Novel
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
The Mayor Of Casterbridge: Large Print Edition for a better reading experience
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
A Changed Man, the Waiting Supper and Other Tales Concluding With the Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Ecohydraulics: Fundaments and Applications - Ecological and Environmental Fluid Mechanics
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Far from the Madding Crowd (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Tess of the d'Urbervilles (British Classics Series): A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented (Historical Romance Novel)
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
The Return of the Native (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Under the Greenwood Tree; Or, The Mellstock Quire A Rural Painting of the Dutch School
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
The Mayor of Casterbridge (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Jude the Obscure (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Satires of Circumstance, Lyrics and Reveries, with Miscellaneous Pieces: in large print
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
Under The Greenwood Tree Or The Mellstock Quire A Rural Painting Of The Dutch School
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
Under the Greenwood Tree or The Mellstock Quire: A Rural Painting of the Dutch School
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
Under the Greenwood Tree; Or, The Mellstock Quire; A Rural Painting of the Dutch School: in large print
Hardy, Thomas
Paperback
Under the Greenwood Tree; Or, The Mellstock Quire; A Rural Painting of the Dutch School: in large print
Hardy, Thomas
Hardcover
Also in
Literary Fiction
Elizabeth Spencer: Novels & Stories (Loa #344): The Voice at the Back Door / The Light in the Piazza / Knights and Dragons / Stories
Spencer, Elizabeth
Hardcover
James Fenimore Cooper: The Leatherstocking Tales Vol. 1 (Loa #26): The Pioneers / The Last of the Mohicans / The Prairie
Cooper, James Fenimore
Hardcover
The Underworld U.S.A. Trilogy, Volume I: American Tabloid, the Cold Six Thousand; Introduction by Thomas Mallon
Ellroy, James
Hardcover
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)
Stevenson, Robert Louis
Paperback
Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams: Short Stories, Prose, and Diary Excerpts
Plath, Sylvia
Paperback
The Patrick Melrose Novels: Never Mind, Bad News, Some Hope, and Mother's Milk
St Aubyn, Edward
Paperback