Reading a new author can be a scary thing.
There is a huge trust factor involved in the reading process between author and reader. We’ve all known the disappointment a DNF (“did not finish”) can bring, or the decimating feeling of an ending gone horribly wrong.
I watched as book friend after book friend reviewed Tess of the D’Ubervilles in 2022. I had never heard of Thomas Hardy, but I decided I’d give him a chance in the fall. Even though Tess’ story was sad, I found myself being continually drawn back into the English countryside to follow her saga. The writing was beautiful. The scenery and characters differnent than in a Dickens or Austen. They were simple, hard-working folk. It was a sad story, but in the style of the age, I could read it from “above” and not have to feel every pang the characters felt. I finished it and reflected.
Yes, I would read another Hardy.
Often the best motivation to do something is to do it with a friend. So when @maliastuckinabook said she was wanting to read Far from the Madding Crowd, I jumped at the chance to do a buddy read. I think we’ve both been a little delinquent at really forging ahead in this tome, but then again, it’s the kind of book meant to be savored and not rushed through.
The scenery is still lovely (so different from my Hawai’i) and the writing lighter and more humorous. If you’d like to jump in, I’m sure you can catch us. I’m only in chapter twelve, but I’m hoping to finish by the end of May.
How about you? Who’s a new author you’ve been thinking about reading?