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Wessex Tales
Paperback
Classic FictionGeneral FictionLiterary Fiction
ISBN13: 9781025383187
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 308
Weight: 0.96
Height: 0.65 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Wessex Tales is a compelling collection of short stories by Thomas Hardy that masterfully captures the essence of life in his fictionalized version of South West England. Set against the atmospheric and rugged backdrop of rural Wessex, these stories weave together themes of love, betrayal, superstition, and the inevitable clash between ancient tradition and the encroaching modern world. Each narrative offers a deep psychological window into the lives of ordinary people-shepherds, soldiers, and village maidens-whose destinies are frequently governed by the harsh realities of social class and the indifferent forces of nature.
Throughout this collection, Hardy showcases his expertise in the short story form, blending elements of local folklore with a stark, tragic realism. From the suspenseful encounters in The Three Strangers to the haunting psychological depth of The Withered Arm, the author explores the complexities of the human condition with profound empathy and insight. Readers will encounter a world rich in local customs and legal ironies, where the landscape itself serves as a central character. Wessex Tales remains a cornerstone of 19th-century British literature, illustrating the enduring struggles and resilience of the spirit in a society facing significant transformation.
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.
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