Love stories and desires; will we ever get enough of it? This book by Thomas Hardy orbits around the said theme, and does not run far from it.



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by Celine Tan Jean Inn



The action of the novel takes place in a region that Hardy names Egdon Heath. Egdon Heath itself is based on an area in Dorset, in the south of England, where Hardy was born and spent his childhood. Hardy captures the society and its feeling at this time with the sharpness that only a man who has himself felt the inner tensions of change can.


Edgon Heath itself lies at the centre of 'The Return of the Native'. Its scenery dominates the novel, often being used to emphasise the emotions of the various characters.


The story is mainly concerns the fortunes of Clym and Eustacia, though the plot relies upon a number of other important characters. Eustacia is a local beauty, who, because both her parents are dead, is forced to live in an isolated house on the heath with her grandfather. Eustacia longs for escape and particularly desires to go and live in Paris.


Clym YeoBright is, in many ways, the opposite of Eustacia, and it is this difference which becomes the cause of the novel's tragedy. Clym has spent some years woking in Paris as a diamond merchant. He is successful but has become disillusioned with commerce.


When Clym arrives, the romantic Eustacia hears of him, and also that he has lived in Paris. She is in love with the idea of being in love, and quickly convinces herself that she loves him.
Eustacia and Clym marry each other and it is then that a series of misfortunes ensues.



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Will either of them realize their desires? Or will they fall hard for their rash decisions? Grab a copy of the book and take a peek!