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Happy Birthday...


to Thomas Hardy (1840). I was introduced to Hardy by my high school English teacher, Mr. Wray. We were required to read The Return of the Native, and I soon declared Hardy to be one of my favorite authors. I followed with Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, which, despite its fateful plot line and hopeless depiction of life, is a novel I don't mind re-reading from time to time.

The first time I visited Westminster Abbey, I remember touching the stone that marks the grave spot of Hardy's ashes (his heart is buried in a family plot elsewhere), and being amazed--as a kid in school I never expected to travel, and I certainly never expected to be in London, England, visiting Westminster Abbey, standing in Poet's Corner, paying homage to Thomas Hardy. He would have said it was fate that guided me to that spot then and there. I say it was cash and determination. It's a pity we can't argue the nature of being in person.

Comments

Terroni said…
Did I read that right--they buried his heart separately?

Interesting.
3:34 PM
dive said…
Henchard had the right idea.
Selling your wife is much cheaper than divorce.
Happy birthday Hardy, you sentimental old goat.
4:40 AM
Sassy Sundry said…
My friends and I say, "No, Jude, no" whenever we are feeling hopeless.

I'd say Happy Birthday, but the guy wasn't exactly a happy one, now was he.

That's an amazing experience you shared.
7:09 AM
peahen said…
Thanks for that, Robyn, he's a favourite author of mine too, but I've never seen a picture. I love the Victorian / Edwardian look - Impressive facial hair and tweed 3-piece suits. A fine story teller.
2:10 PM
Anonymous said…
He asked for his heart to be cut out after he died and buried with his wife Emma.
5:50 AM
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